Second Sunday before Advent

2 Thessalonians 3.6-13 Luke 21.5-19

It is a nice sunny afternoon and thoughts of a picnic in a green meadow cross our mind. Alongside the meadow is a gentle river wending its way with the waters sparkling in the sunlight. This image is, perhaps, in your mind as you sit back and allow your thoughts to run wild for a few moments. Building up on that image there is a hamper at your side full of sandwiches and other delicacies with a blanket to sit on and relax as you soak up the atmosphere.

For many, however, such a dream is all that it can be. The reality is far removed from this image. The field is replaced by piles of rubble where once upon a time graceful buildings stood. The countryside has been ploughed up by the tracks of tanks and military vehicles where fierce fighting has been taking place. A hamper full of sandwiches and cakes are a distant dream as food becomes harder to come by. A sumptuous picnic is replaced by hunger as the order of the day.

Elsewhere the meadows are covered in water. Streams have grown into fierce torrents. Storms, hurricanes and cyclones have hit the land and brought flooding and destruction in their path. Homes and possessions have been swept away in the torrential flood water. Again, food has become scarce. No dreams of sandwiches by a gentle stream can be seen as an option. It is a fight for survival.

All these things are happening today. They have been happening in history and will, no doubt, be happening in the future. Back in the days of Jesus it was believed that time existed in two ages. The current age with all of its distrust and ill-feelings, with its all-to-ready to sue society where neighbours are prepared to sue and seek ridiculous payouts, where badness could be seen around almost every corner, is a time which we have to endure. It is a time which had to be passed through.

Amongst all of this there was to be found beauty on the most lavish scales. The Temple was adorned with beautiful stones. There were gifts that were dedicated to God. Today, travelling through Europe we can visit and enter churches and cathedrals decorated with artwork almost beyond our dreams and all done to the glory of God. Even in our own country we can see, again in churches and cathedrals, such artwork all of which is testament of our love of God. Our worship is being enhanced by the surroundings of beauty.

But we are being told that all of this will be torn down at the end of the age. We will hear of wars and fighting. People will come among us and try to lead us astray from our worship of God. The very Earth itself will be subject to violent earthquakes, famine and plagues. There will be portents and signs from heaven.

Families will turn against themselves; there will be imprisonments and betrayals. It will be as if the world is indeed turning itself inside out. But fear not. Trust in the Lord. This is the advice that we are being given. When all about us seems to be falling apart, when we appear to be stood there alone, remember that our Lord is there with us. As Jesus said in the gospel reading, he will give us words and wisdom. Those who may stand against us will not be able to contradict us.

Stand up and be brave against all adversity. We are told that not a hair of our head will perish. By holding out against everything we will win and gain our souls. Time and time again we are reassured that God is with us. We are his children. The time will come when these things are behind us. Our battle won.

Our goal, towards which we are working, is the kingdom of God. The pathway may be difficult at times, but we will endure with God at our side. As we stride forward, we may encounter some who have succumbed to the trials of the time. It is when we meet them that we stop to give succour and aid. Bandage their wounds as is our Christian duty, for we may fall and reach out for help from others.

I remember being told once by a bishop that there are times when it beholds the helper to be helped. As we lead our life, and as we see about us trials and tribulation, hardship and anguish, it is so much in our Christian nature that we try to reach out to help, to do what we can to assist in improving the lot of those about us. In such times our help can be invaluable, if not in a physical way, then through our prayers. Prayer is a powerful tool.

The news may be full of information that tears at our heart. We see images of people in despair standing surrounded by ruin. It is not practical for us to go out to those places, in fact our very presence could exacerbate the situation for we would be drawing upon what meagre resources they have for themselves. What we can do is hold them in our prayers, their helpers, and those who endeavour to supply aid. That way we can assist them all as, together, we make our way towards that place of peace and heavenly calm in the presence of God.

Collect for the Second Sunday before Advent

Heavenly Father,

whose blessed Son was revealed to destroy the works of the devil

and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life:

grant that we, having this hope,

may purify ourselves even as he is pure;

that when he shall appear in power and great glory

we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom;

where he is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.