Can't help being annoyed! Matthew 24:36-44

Matthew 24:36-44 Gospel reading for the first Sunday in Advent Nov 28th 2010

I have to get this off my chest. It's no wonder that many Christian people and society in general, have a warped image of God. I don't think readings of this nature are helpful to nurturing a positive image of a loving, caring God. OK I concede that occasionally we need to be reminded about the day and the hour that is to come, but it often seems to be accompanied by fear-based images of a remote, judgemental God, poised ready to strike.  If people on the street were to hear this reading today, would they see behind this a God of love who operates only by grace?

The Gospel reading for this week is problematic because we have been given a mere paragraph out of a major final campaign speech by Jesus spanning virtually three long chapters. It is difficult to see behind these few verses to appreciate the gift of grace that Jesus is actually ushering in here. It seems that the lectionary designers have pulled a media trick - they have chosen a little segment of a major speech in isolation, to create an impression that is not really representative of the magnificent bigger picture message.

When we meet the selection of readings for Advent, the theme invariably becomes one of coming ... in various forms. But amongst all of the coming we need to remember the fact that God's kingdom is already here, that grace has already come to us through the finished work of Jesus! So let's also put some emphasis on the here and now ... Jesus with us each day, every step of the way right now!

These thought provoking words from Barbara Taylor, develop the here and now thinking even further ... (and perhaps bring a new dimension to the concepts of "live the moment" or "seize the day"!)

"Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect." How do you deal with a piece of advice like that? Well, why not be ready all the time, not only for the end but for whatever the moment brings? Every morning when you wake up decide to live the life God has given you to live right now. Refuse to live yesterday over and over again. Resist the temptation to save your best self for tomorrow. Do not put off living the kind of life you meant to live. There is no time for that no matter how much time is left.

Go ahead and make the decision, write the letter, get the help you need, find someone to love, give yourself away. Why waste your time making preparations for an end time you cannot predict? Live prepared. Live a caught-up life, not a put-off life, so that wherever you are -- standing in a field or grinding at the mill, or just going about the everyday business of your life -- you are ready for God, for whatever happens next, not afraid but wide awake, watching for the Lord who never tires of coming to the world.

The Gospel reading reminds us that Jesus will come again at a time that will take us by surprise. The real surprise though, may well be to find out that He has been here all along!

As we move closer to the end of another school year, may our focus be drawn to the ongoing presence of Jesus, here with us right now. May our celebrations also focus on the gift of grace that we already have!

Nev