Whispers in the Darkness
A reading from Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Christ, by Mthr. Fleming Rutledge
The Church can’t survive on sentiment and nostalgia. If we try to do that, we will wake up at midnight and discover that our lamps are going out. Sentiment, nostalgia, optimism; these are weak, thin fuels. We need premium oil for our lamps if we are to keep the light of the church burning in the time of trial. Christianity is not for sissies. We need to understand the difference between optimism and hope. Optimism often arises out of the denial of the real facts; hope, however, persists in spite of the clearly recognized facts because it is anchored in something beyond. This time of year is about hope…
Mere optimism cannot survive the brutal facts; but Christian hope is something different…Christian hope builds its foundation on the promise of the living God that the random chaos of the world will be revealed one day to have been led and shaped by the same hand that reached out to heal the sick and make the blind to see, to raise the dead and ‘call into existence the things that do not exist’ (Romans 4:17). In the midst of our fears and sorrows, even in the hurricanes and ice storms, we have this hope. This is what the church whispers in the darkness: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.”
Reflection
By Fr. Brian Rebholtz
Our opening reading from Mthr. Fleming Rutledge proves her skill and courage as a preacher. Her text is Jesus' Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1-13), in which ten bridesmaids await the coming of the bridegroom. Five of them have brought oil for their lamps; five have neglected to properly prepare. When the bridegroom comes, the wise bridesmaids join in his banquet, but the foolish bridesmaids miss him and are shut out.
It is typical of tepid preachers to abuse this parable by turning it into a kindergarten-level morality tale. The five bridesmaids with oil are chastised for not sharing their oil with the other five, and the congregation is told to be generous and to share what they have. Sadly, this is a weak, sentimental reading that is both contrary to the text and unbefitting of the power of Advent.
Christ's call is a real call. Christ's challenge is a real challenge. And there is a real difference between wisdom and foolishness. Fleming Rutledge rises to to meet this challenge, and she reminds us that we should too.
Connection
Dive into the season.
Plan to come our 10:30 a.m. service this Sunday, or the church office later this week, so you pick up materials and prayers for your home Advent wreath and get your copy of the parish Advent devotional.
If you like, share photos of you family Advent wreath with us on Facebook (or email them to news@saintlukesauburn.org) so that we can share this season with one another.
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.