“What now?”
Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1:1-8 (December 10, 2023)
For several summers, way back when I was a student, I had a job with the Public Works Department of the city. Most of the time I worked alone, driving a tractor, cutting grass. But sometimes I worked with others.
We were always in full public view. On the job site, there were times we had to pause and wait for something to arrive. A truck to come with a load of asphalt or gravel, for example.
When that happened, we were keenly aware of the need to keep doing something. Not just laze about, leaning on our shovels, putting in time. That would not be a good look for municipal taxpayers.
So “look busy,” we said to one another. There was almost always something we could do, some kind of work to be completed, or preparation to be made, while we waited for whatever was going to happen next.
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And it got me thinking this week about the church, and what we might be doing together in this time of Advent waiting.
This year we’re asking a series of questions. Last week it was “How long?” How long must we wait? Of course there’s no easy answer to that. Soon, we’re told, but not yet. So don’t waste your energy in speculation. Instead, get on with your life of faith.
And what is that life of faith? What now are we meant to be doing? What now … in this Advent time of waiting?
Our scripture readings this morning offer some possibilities. I’d like to suggest three things. Three things we can be doing as we wait. Are you ready? Here they are.
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Consider, first of all, these words from Isaiah: “Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.”
A great empire had laid siege to Jerusalem, overrun its defences, destroyed the house of God, and deported many of its citizens. But a voice from heaven gave instructions to God’s prophet: “Comfort my people.” Say to them, “Enough!” “God “will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom.”
“Comfort my people.” What a lovely message for those who suffer!
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There is so much suffering in our world today. It is part of our shared human experience. And following the prophet Isaiah, we too may bring God’s comfort.
When we ask the question, “What now?” … could that be part of our agenda? To comfort the afflicted, to bind up the broken-hearted? Who do you know that’s broken-hearted?
The comfort in this passage is not “comfort” – as in sit in your easy chair, rest your feet, have a cup of whatever you fancy, and pamper yourself. This comfort is meant as healing medicine for those who are wounded.
I had a call from a friend this week who is grieving the untimely death of her adult son, her only child. What words of comfort can I give? Somehow, any words in that setting sound callous and trite. How can I show her that I care?
The poet, Emily Dickenson, wrote:
“If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.”[1]
There is much suffering in the world. It seems overwhelming. What can we do about it?
I can’t provide housing for all those displaced refugees around the world. But I can pray for Lupuki Lukungu and the family we’re sponsoring as they wait to begin a new life here in Saskatoon.
I can’t help everyone in our society who finds life unaffordable. But I can contribute something to our local food bank, and encourage governments to be responsive and compassionate.
You probably can’t go to Israel or Gaza. But you can support the work of MCC, who have people on the ground ready to help.
We can’t fix all the post-Covid division. But we can listen better, and be a good neighbour, and try not be the cause of more of hostility and strife.
“Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.” A tender word from God’s people would surely be a welcome thing!
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“What now?” What now as we wait? We can offer comfort. That’s one thing. Here’s the second: Let me suggest we also become bearers of Good News pointing to the presence of God!
“Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength … lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” Here is your God.
So where do you see God? I see plenty of darkness. Where can I see light?
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I’ll tell you one sign that appeared to me. And I know I’m not the only one who saw it. Tuesday, 8:40 in the morning, I looked out the window, and there it was: The most beautiful, bright red sky. 
The sun was at such an angle that it lit up the clouds.
We live in the “land of living skies.” So a scene like this was not unusual. But it was glorious! It lasted for about 10 minutes, then faded. Can we find God in that very ordinary thing?
It’s a skill we can practice, actually!
A few years ago I carried around with me a little blue notebook. A book of Kingdom Sightings. Every time I saw or heard or experienced God’s presence throughout the day, I would make myself a note. At the end of the day I’d say “thank you, Lord!”
“Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God! With practice we can see more clearly. St. Bonaventure, who lived in the 13th century, “spoke of God as one “whose centre is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere.”[2]
Now stop and think about that. Centre everywhere, circumference stretching to infinity! God can be found in all things, everywhere, all the time. If we but open our eyes.
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Where have you found God this week? Was it something big or something small? In the glory of creation? In an act of kindness? A word of hope? A quiet moment? A piece of music? A verse of scripture? Frost on the trees? Someone who held your hand?
God is everywhere present in this world that God has made. So instead of pointing at the darkness, and shaking our heads with discouragement … let’s lean into the light and live each day more and more within its goodness.
And let’s not be afraid to bear witness to that. Instead of complaining, let’s be ready to share a word of gratitude.
Advent is all about God’s coming: God’s coming to the world in Jesus. God’s coming at the end of all things to establish a reign of justice and peace. And listen now …
It’s also about the coming of God each and every day to be present among us with love and healing grace. In this season of Advent, we practice attentiveness as we wait.
“What now?” you ask? Let’s be people who bring comfort to the world. Let’s be bearers of God’s Good News. God is with us!
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And finally, one more thing. This one from the Gospel of Mark. Let’s be people who live the way of Jesus – even before he arrives. Let’s prepare the way for him.
Our Gospel reading presents John the Baptizer. He prepares the way by calling people to repentance. And it tells us that “the whole Judean region and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him …” to be baptized in the Jordan river.
And I think, really? The whole Judean region, and all the people of Jerusalem? Well that may be a bit of exaggeration. The point is there were a lot of people attracted to John and his message!
And that’s amazing to me! Because I think, here’s this wild man from the wilderness. He wears rough clothing and eats strange food. And from everything we read about him, he seems to have an abrasive personality.
Yet people came to him. In droves, they came! Why?
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And all I can think of is this: Repentance is not the harsh, demanding, guilt-inducing thing we make it out to be. No, it’s not like that at all! Repentance is an opportunity. A chance for new beginning.
Repentance says we can turn our lives around. It doesn’t have to be more of the same old thing. A new way is possible.
When we think things will never change. John arrives to say, “Christ is coming with power to make all things new!” “I have baptized with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” The same Spirit that hovered over the waters at the beginning of time.
You think your life will never be any different. But it can be, and it will be! And that is such a hopeful thing!
God is coming. Even now, God is coming. And it can change your life. Point you in a new direction. Transform your heart and soul. Give fresh energy, a new vision. Take us all out of our self-centred ways. And give us love to live for God and neighbour. A new lease on life! That’s what repentance offers.
God is coming into the world. And we can live that new life God brings already, here and now. We can learn the way of Jesus. Inviting him to come and live within us, more and more, with every ruby-red sunrise.
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“What now?” we asked at the beginning of our sermon. As we wait for God’s arrival, what now?
Here’s what I’m suggesting. Three things: That we be people who bring comfort to others. That we become bearers of God’s good news, pointing to God’s presence everywhere. And that we live Jesus’ way, even as we wait for his arrival.
Here are some things for you to ponder as we reflect on today’s question: “What now?”
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QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
- Where have you seen God this week?
- What hopeful change can you make in your life?
- In what concrete and tangible way can you care for others?
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[1] “I shall not live in vain.” https://dailypoetry.me/emily-dickinson/if-stop-heart-breaking/, Accessed December 9, 2023.
[2] Quoted by Richard Rohr, Center for Action and Contemplation, email meditation, November 13, 2016.