As a progressive, I believe there are many names for God and many ways to a loving God; this article reflects one of those ways. Take from here what works for you. Celebrate life with joy and peace.
Here we are, once again – it’s the most wonderful time of the year! (Now try to get that song out of your head!) It’s Advent, it’s a new beginning.
Advent is a time of anticipation leading to the birth of Jesus, Emanuel, God with us – it’s like a countdown. Even Starbucks gets into the act with their version of a tasty Advent Calendar. And as we remember Jesus’ birth, we remember the qualities of hope, peace, joy and love. And it all begins with hope.
Believe it or not, hope is what Mark 13:24-37 is about. In reading these words, it might seem like unpleasant imagery so it’s important to remember that apocalyptic literature (describing or prophesying the end of the world) is really an expression of hope for better days.
Theologians agree that the Gospel of Mark was written about 70 CE – which is the same year Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed. Mark, in this passage, is responding to the world that he knows coming to an end. It’s already happened! And through his words, he’s expressing hope that something new and healing can rise from the wreckage. He isn’t predicting the end rather, he’s hoping for healing from the end that has already happened. Jerusalem as he knew it has been destroyed and he hopes it has a future anyway. He’s holding on to hope!
St. Clement of Alexandria said, “If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes.”
Sometimes people who are not happy with the present will say they’re hoping for a return of the good old days! And sometimes I remember them from the good old days and I remember that they were miserable, complaining and unhappy even back then!
The good old days weren’t as good as they remember; in fact, as theologian Watkins has said, “Their days, past and present, were never, are never, and never could be any brighter than their attitude; so even a return of the good old days wouldn’t bring them happiness. It would just remind them of the good old days they were longing for during those good old days!” Ha!
Inventor Charles Kettering said, “You can’t have a better tomorrow if you’re thinking about yesterday all the time.”
So let me tell you about some dates I’ve been on when pretty soon after we meet, I start hearing about his ex. And I’m not talking about his ex from a couple of months ago; I’m talking years and years ago! I pretty quickly come to the conclusion that this person really isn’t his ex, but rather seems to be his current something, fantasy, obsession, crutch, regret. It’s a pretty big red flag for me that he’s not available and even if he was, I’d never be able to compete with the ex.
Hope for healing from religious abuse of the past will mean more than wishing we never felt the pain, it will mean believing we can separate from the religious systems that claimed us. Hope for healing will mean moving forward, not longing to go back.
“We can’t have a better tomorrow if we are thinking about yesterday all the time.” Hope leads us to positive action.
Hope inspired positive action gave birth in 1970 to MCC San Diego.
Hope inspired positive action led to the Civil Rights Act.
Hope inspired positive action resulted in women getting the right to vote in this country.
Hope inspired positive action led countless people into 12 Steps and recovery.
Hope inspired positive action has led to marriage equality in 32 states and the District of Columbia and the federal government of the United States.
Hope inspired positive action has led countless people out of the closet and into the light.
Never underestimate the power of genuine hope. Hope leads to action. Action leads to results. All action gets results and only positive action will get positive results.
This Advent what are you hoping for? Do you dare to really hope today? Do you dare to hope that you can heal from the past? Do you dare to hope for a new beginning? If you dare to hope, you just may find that what is beyond your hopes is nothing less than miraculous!
Hope, a feeling of expectation and desire.
Hope! What a good way to begin this Season. Have hope! Amen.
Rev. Dan Koeshall is the senior pastor at The Metropolitan Community Church (The Met), 2633 Denver Street, San Diego, California, themetchurch.org. Services every Sunday at 9 and 11 a.m.
