{"id":10133,"date":"2023-11-28T08:29:43","date_gmt":"2023-11-28T13:29:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/?p=10133"},"modified":"2023-11-27T14:49:18","modified_gmt":"2023-11-27T19:49:18","slug":"december-3-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/december-3-2013\/","title":{"rendered":"December 3, 2013&#8211;Change is Coming"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Chris Heavner, Clemson, SC<\/b><\/p>\n<h4><b>Warm-up Questions<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Is there a time when your world was turned upside down?<\/li>\n<li>What words do we associate with such upheavals in our lives?\u00a0 (Devastated?\u00a0 Abandoned? Forgotten?\u00a0 Ignored?)<\/li>\n<li>Is there a time when you were wanting or hoping that the world <b>would <\/b>be turned upside down?<\/li>\n<li>How would you respond to this statement: \u201cThose who are comfortable with the way things are don\u2019t want change; while those who are considered the \u2018underlings\u2019 often demand radical change\u201d?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Change is Coming<\/h4>\n<p>Our lives can be upended in an instant:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A friend tells of waking to the warnings that a (seemingly distant) wildfire might reach his area.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>In January 2022 Louisville, CO, was practically obliterated by those flames.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>In just a few short hours, his family went from thinking, \u201cMaybe we need to keep an eye on this,\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>to fleeing so fast they forgot to close the backdoor.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The flames skipped over the house; but the interior was buried in the soot which seeped through the crack of that unlatched door.<\/li>\n<li>In the lands where Jesus lived, loved, healed, and taught, war is now leaving children without parents and parents without homes.<\/li>\n<li>In Sunday worship service we pray for the thirty-nine year old whose life is upended by a diagnosis of throat cancer.\u00a0 We pray that radiation and chemotherapy will push back the disease.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Political ads offer very little in the way of plans and programs to deal with such disruption.\u00a0 They excel only at warning us how horrible life will be if the other candidate prevails.\u00a0 How our lives will be \u201cupended\u201d if we allow \u201cthem\u201d to be in control.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/11\/iStock-585767418.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-10149 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/11\/iStock-585767418-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/11\/iStock-585767418-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/11\/iStock-585767418-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/11\/iStock-585767418-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/11\/iStock-585767418-250x167.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/11\/iStock-585767418-525x350.jpg 525w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/11\/iStock-585767418.jpg 1254w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In most instances, we turn to the Church and to our Messiah, hoping they will shield us from the changes which might upend our lives.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>We turn to God as a protection against any reordering of our common refrain:<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cLord, deliver your servant.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>But, what if Jesus is the one who is bringing the change?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>What if \u00a0the path on which we presently tread is a one which needs to come to an end?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>How do we interact with a God who insists that all things be made new?<\/p>\n<p>When Martin Luther washed his face each morning he saw this as a reminder that in baptism we have promised to see each day as a new beginning and a new start.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 Change<\/span>\u00a0didn\u2019t happen once, 2000 years ago.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>It wasn\u2019t something that occurred on the day of our baptism and never again.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>As we wash our face, we emerge with the awareness that on this day God is calling us to something different from our previous days.<\/p>\n<p>As we begin the Advent season, we speak of how different the world will be when God\u2019s Messiah is among us.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The songs and lessons of Advent are petitions to God to \u201cmake all things new.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Isaiah 64:1 will be read in many church services this Sunday. \u201cO that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>What if God isn\u2019t the one who protects or prevents upheavals?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>What if God is the one who brings it \u2014 and possibly requires it?<\/p>\n<h4><b>Discussion Questions<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Does your neighborhood have those signs along the road calling on you to \u201cRepent\u201d?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>What does the word \u201cRepent\u201d mean?<\/li>\n<li>Some hold to the notion of \u201conce saved-always saved.\u201d\u00a0 Do you share that belief? \u00a0What exactly does that mean?<\/li>\n<li>How many biblical references can you find in which Jesus tells the disciples \u00a0to believe a particular thing. \u00a0How often does he. merely tell the disciples to \u201cfollow\u201d?\u00a0 In how many of those stories were the disciples fully aware where Jesus was leading them?<\/li>\n<li>Is your relationship with Jesus one which holds you firmly in place? \u00a0Does it also invite you to move in new directions?<\/li>\n<li>What is the difference between standing firm in faith and using religion as an excuse to avoid needed change in ourselves and society?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><b>First Sunday of Advent<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/bible.oremus.org\/?ql=567793396\">Isaiah 64:1-9<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/bible.oremus.org\/?ql=567793424\">1 Corinthians 1:3-9<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/bible.oremus.org\/?ql=567793454\">Mark 13:24-37<\/a><\/p>\n<p>(Text links are to <a href=\"http:\/\/bible.oremus.org\/\">Oremus Bible Browser<\/a>. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year B at<a href=\"https:\/\/www.elca.org\/our-work\/congregations-and-synods\/worship\/lectionary\/yearb\"> Lectionary Readings.<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic <a href=\"http:\/\/www.agnusday.org\/\">Agnus Day.<\/a><\/p>\n<h4><b>Gospel Reflection<\/b><\/h4>\n<p>Mark 13 is written in the apocalyptic \u00a0style.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>You are probably familiar with this type of literature from the final book of our New Testament,<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Revelation. Daniel is an Old Testament book written in the same style.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>In fact, many of the images we find in Revelation are repeated images from Daniel.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Our reading from Mark 13 includes at least four references to Daniel (Dan. 7:13, 9:27,11:31, 12:11.)<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Mark\u2019s instruction, \u201clet the reader understand,\u201d (v. 14) is another such reference.<\/p>\n<p>Contrary to what we are often encouraged to think, apocalyptic writings are not intended to frighten or threaten us.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Apocalyptic writings are affirmations that God the creator and redeemer is always with us. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The world may be turned upside down, but that turning is the very thing which allows us to experience the world God prefers.<\/p>\n<p>Apocalyptic writings affirm the faith community\u2019s confidence that no matter how crushed we might be, God has not abandoned us.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>No matter how hopeless we might feel, God\u2019s gift of salvation remains.<\/p>\n<p>As the words of Mark\u2019s 13th chapter were being written, the followers of Jesus were experiencing hardships beyond our imagination.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Their communities were being destroyed.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They faced hunger and oppression for continuing with their family\u2019s religious rituals.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The world in which they found themselves was harsh.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Religious and political powers threatened anyone who didn\u2019t go along with the status quo. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The faithful followers of Jesus joyfully anticipated the day when Christ would be among them and would right the wrongs they suffered.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They looked forward to the world being turned upside down.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They lifted their voices to God to ask for upheaval and a reversal of the way things are.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s make sure to note that while Mark 13 expresses these affirmations, the gospel writer warns against trying \u00a0to predict the day or time when Messiah will come.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>There is always a temptation to see events as indicators that the change we seek is about to happen.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Verse 32 suggests that even Jesus (the Son) doesn\u2019t know.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The righting of systemic wrongs must be left in God\u2019s hands.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Mark reminds his readers that there is no better place to be than in God\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n<p>We cannot &#8211; by our actions or even by our prayers &#8211; dictate the hour of God\u2019s arrival.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Nor can we determine the contours of the New Earth.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Our role is to be ready.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Our call is to \u201ckeep awake,\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>to dream of an upended world in which the way of Jesus is known and experienced by all of God\u2019s children.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>We must not shut our eyes to the way of Christ and the assurances of God\u2019s justice.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Keep awake!<\/p>\n<h4><b>Discussion Questions<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Have you ever heard the word, \u201capocalyptic\u201d?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>What more would you like to know about this word and this style of literature?<\/li>\n<li>Ask yourself whether you agree with the suggestion that God may be the one who calls for an upending of the way things are.<\/li>\n<li>It is very important to remember that the call for change among the early followers of Jesus was a comfort.\u00a0 In what ways might God\u2019s call for reversal be a comfort to you?<\/li>\n<li>Are you one who makes New Year\u2019s resolutions?\u00a0 On this, the First Sunday of the new Church Year, what \u201cresolutions\u201d might we make?<\/li>\n<li>Our Advent songs are more than a memory about something that God did once upon a time.\u00a0 Our songs ask that God\u2019s Promised One will come to us now, here.\u00a0 Where in your life and world is there a need for Christ to be born?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><b>Activity Suggestion<\/b><\/h4>\n<p>During Advent, many of our congregations make use of Marty Haugen\u2019s <i>Holden Evening Prayer.<\/i><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Experience the beauty of one of the songs in this liturgy, \u00a0\u201cAnnunciation and Magnificat.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Lovely music, powerful affirmation of God\u2019s favor.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>But, do pay attention to the words.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Two options for you:<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=nABzv_TInaI\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=nABzv_TInaI<\/a> has a printed copy of the words.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=79GlnqXpp1Q\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=79GlnqXpp1Q<\/a> is a congregation\u2019s Advent service. \u00a0Discuss how Mary&#8217;s words might touch the upheavals those in your group are experiencing.<\/p>\n<h4><b>Closing Prayer<\/b><\/h4>\n<p>O God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, enter our lives on this day and reshape us so as to reflect the people you know us to be.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Through the assurances of those who have gone before us, allow us to face the new day with the confidence that your will is being done.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>With boldness let us embrace the change which will make your peace and your justice a reality for those the world would overlook.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>All of this in your time, O Lord.\u00a0Amen.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chris Heavner, Clemson, SC Warm-up Questions Is there a time when your world was turned upside down? What words do we associate with such upheavals in our lives?\u00a0 (Devastated?\u00a0 Abandoned? Forgotten?\u00a0 Ignored?) Is there a time when you were wanting or hoping that the world would be turned upside down? How would you respond to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1400],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10133","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-post"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>December 3, 2013-Change is Coming - Faith Lens<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/december-3-2013\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"December 3, 2013-Change is Coming - Faith Lens\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Chris Heavner, Clemson, SC Warm-up Questions Is there a time when your world was turned upside down? 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What words do we associate with such upheavals in our lives?\u00a0 (Devastated?\u00a0 Abandoned? Forgotten?\u00a0 Ignored?) Is there a time when you were wanting or hoping that the world would be turned upside down? 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