After John had been arrested,
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God:
“This is the time of fulfillment.
The Kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”
"Context," we're told, "is everything." So we should notice that Jesus came to Galilee after John was arrested. And his message? "This is the time of fulfillment!"
If we expect Peace to break out when the Kingdom of God begins, we should notice it comes with ominous signs. This story follows hard upon the Lord's sojourn in the desert. Jesus seems to have waited in the wilderness for the signal, and John's arrest was it. He must follow the Baptist's hard road and he should expect the same end.
Nor is his message exactly sunny, "Repent and believe in the Gospel." There is still time to turn away from sin. There is still opportunity to recognize and own your duplicity.
There is a new urgency in Jesus' message. John announced the immanence of judgement when people came to him, but now Jesus must go to them. He will find them in their towns and villages, he will accost them on the highways. There is no time to let them come when they are ready.
The New Testament is saturated with this urgency. Saint Paul insisted, "Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Cor 6:2)
Our Christmas festivities should have refreshed our spirit, giving us new hope and energy as we enter 2020, an election year in the United States. The politics will be tiresome this year, at best. And, given the polarization and growing tension, with the violence that creeps ever closer from the fringes of our life, we can hope that the political discussion will be no worse than tiresome.
During the Christmas Season we heard Jesus announced as our Savior. Those who admit we need a savior will hear his message with its demand for immediate attention,
Those who pay attention must discover the Holy Spirit moving in us. Perhaps we don't often think of the Spirit as our Savior. But, given the eviscerating threat of terrorism, we must notice that urgent Spirit, who can wait no longer, moving within us.
Terrorism, in its remote form of Islamic terrorism and its more immediate form of homegrown, white racist terrorism, intends to leave us feeling helpless. They will take control of the world while the fearful hide at home. Those who are unwilling to discuss politics or religion, and afraid to greet strangers or welcome aliens, will cower like helpless sheep, hoping to be spared one more day. Some will suffer increased anxiety and demand stronger chemicals to soothe their anguish. Others will arm themselves as they see strangers moving into their neighborhoods. And then kill themselves with their recently purchased weapons.
The Spirit of Jesus will save those who are willing to be saved, who have heard the Good News of Christmas. They will come out of hiding and get involved in Church and neighborhood; they will welcome those who are different into their company. They will laugh at the silliness of the cowardly as they experience new life, new hope, and joyous vitality.
This is the time of fulfillment.
The Kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the Gospel.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.