December 6th, 2024
Scripture
23 When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why, then, did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for all regard John as a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
28 “What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 He answered, ‘I will not,’ but later he changed his mind and went. 30 The father went to the second and said the same, and he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him, and even after you saw it you did not change your minds and believe him.
--Matthew 21:23-32
Reflection
Let us remember Mary who, by this time, had been waiting for almost nine months. By now, Mary was probably quite large and ready to have the baby. Still, I believe she was enjoying this time of expectant waiting. She could feel her son kicking and moving. She knew what to do help settle him. She spent time talking and singing to this unborn child while she worked through her days. He could hear her and was getting to know her. During this waiting time, she was bonding and caring for the life growing within her. She knew it was not yet time, but that it would arrive soon enough. Like all expectant mothers, she was taking the time to prepare for the birth of her son.
I believe that Mary was intimately present in her experience during this time. Obviously, things were about to change, but she worked to treasure the ‘before time’, the waiting time. Advent calls us to do the same. Be aware of the anticipation and excitement we have as we await Jesus’ birth. Slow down and focus on what is truly important. Think of Mary and how she waited with expectation for the birth of her child and how we do the same, more than two thousand years later. Live into this Advent time of waiting and expectancy. Be aware of what Advent brings out in us. Treasure this time of waiting and prepare yourself for what is to come so that we will all be ready when the baby arrives.
Rev. Ann Murray
Deacon
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Norman, Oklahoma