Loving the Dreadful Day of Judgement
A reading from Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ, by Mthr. Fleming Rutledge
The wrath of God and the love of God are two faces of the same thing. The world will be purged of its iniquity in the consuming fire of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the Advent theme. He will come again to set all things right. In the meantime, we take up the weapons of his warfare: "Since we belong to the day, let us...put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation" (1 Thess. 5:8).
Anything we can do--anything at all, however small or large--any deed of kindness or generosity or courage that eases the load of someone else or brings truth and justice to light--is a sign of the advent of the One who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty (Rev. 1:8).
Reflection
By Mrs. Barbara White
Good Episcopalians know that Advent is a season of preparation. But we sometimes get so excited about preparing for the coming of the Christ Child at Christmas that we miss the primary theme of Advent. For the church, Advent is primarily about preparing ourselves for Christ’s return as King and Judge in the last day. This year, when so many of our Christmas plans are disrupted due to COVID-19, we can lean into the promise of Christ’s return. As Fleming Rutledge points out, Christ is coming to pass judgement on the evil that stalks through our world. This is very good news.
As Christians we believe that our King will return to set the world right. A world without plague, sickness, death, war, and evil. A world ruled by a righteous King. But we do not wait passively. The best way to prepare for the coming of our Lord is to live in trust that He will keep His word. Because we know that “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again” we can live in generosity, joy, and faith and love, trusting that His word is true.
Connection
Take a picture!
Is there a "deed of kindness or generosity or courage that eases the load of someone else or brings truth and justice to light" that you can do this week? Find something you can do for someone in your home or community and offer it to God in the hope of Christ's return.
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.