There is an expectation in the readings for today. An expectation of the coming of God and God's kingdom here on earth. These expectations we have been encountering recently in our Sunday readings as we move towards Advent, and here we are. The readings though are different, the hope is still present but in a very different manner and for a very different purpose. The hope that is in the present is a hope of fulfilment in prophecy. Prophecy in terms of something that is coming that is greater than what is present. There is also a sense that the people have admitted their guilt and they hope for redemption (Is. 64:6). There is also a hope in the fulfilment of prophecy in Christ's words and a challenge to ensure that we are aware of what we are doing in the world (Mk 13:24-37). The hope portrayed is a hope that we are all prepared for the coming of God's kingdom and ready to participate as all things and point the way to God (1 Cor 1:7).
What is hope? Do we understand what it is that hope is? We hope for a lot of small things to make our world and life easier but this is not the hope that is being called for here. Hope that is being looked at today can really only be found in the most desperate situations and calls for a change of life circumstances from where we are in desperation to a new place a new life. This is a deep foundational longing that is found as an ache in the heart for something that is unachievable or at least appears to be unachievable. It is found only when we are at the bottom and striving for something that is way beyond us but something that we know in our hearts we can reach. Our deepest desire as Christians should be the coming Kingdom or reign of God that we spoke about last week.
This year hope has been a predominant theme for the world as we have gone through various disasters. It has played a very real role in shaping Australian society in the aftermath of Fires and COVID 19. For some it has shown the flaws in the characters of those we elect into leadership while others have not hoped for the betterment of the world but rather the betterment of their own lives at the expense of others which has led people into despair rather into hope for a new future. For us as Christians, who remain in hope for the coming again of Christ, we need look at ourselves and determine if our hope is a hope for self or a hope for community. This is a very important reflection as we enter into Advent and the expectation and hope that this brings to our lives.
We cannot hope for a new life whilst we are in the midst of looking towards those things which created the life we live now. The selfish behaviours that pit ourselves above all others, is something that society has pushed as its agenda for the past number of years. We can see this and its end in the way American politics has degenerated into a farce of self over other. We in this country are no better as we elect those who see only themselves and their friends as the receivers of goodness whilst neglecting the poor and the outcast. For too long we as a society and as a faith group have lost the hope that Christ brings into our lives by moving with the majority of society and not going against the grain of society. Hope is only generated when it goes against the grain of the expectations of the majority. It is generated as a small light at the end of a tunnel, just as the vaccines have generated a small hope for the end of the pandemic.
We as the body of Christ hope in the incarnation of God in humanity. We are not hoping for some happy place were we all end up. We know that we are called to God and in the end God will see us face to face but we hope for the incarnation. God in this place at this time and as we hope for this simple thing we need to remind ourselves constantly that God is with us, God is here, God is now and then perhaps if God becomes incarnated we will recognise God's presence.
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