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Month: December 2019

Advent: A Season of Expectation, Pt. 3

Published by mhelbert on December 12, 2019

I didn’t intend that these Advent musings would become a multi-part project. But, you know what they say about best laid plans.
In the first part I looked at the expectations of ancient Israel. They looked forward to the arrival of a Warrior King molded after King David. He would deliver Israel from her enemies and reign over the Earth with righteousness and justice.

Yesterday we saw who really arrived.
Not a Warrior King. But, a Servant King.
In Jesus, God completely disarmed the powers of that day by subverting the very idea of violence with embodied Love.

Ok. So what?

What does the Advent of Jesus 2,000 years ago have to do with celebrating Advent today?

The Church has believed since its beginning that Jesus would return one day. As Jesus stood on a hill with his disciples he gave them some final instructions. Then, the writer of the book of Act recorded,

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

The early believers thought that Jesus would return soon. That He would descend from the clouds and God’s reign would be realized on earth as it is in heaven.

The anticipated return of Jesus is what we celebrate now at Advent.
And, we wait expectantly for His arrival.

But, what do we expect to see?

There are many who look to the Bible and see the same descriptions of Messiah that the ancient Israelites saw. They recognize that the first Advent of Jesus did not look anything like the Warrior King of Scripture. So, that must mean that at the second Advent Jesus will come as the Warrior King and subdue all of His enemies. He will then establish a New Earth and a New Heaven in which He reigns with an iron scepter.

The Bible is chock full of such imagery.
The Revelation of St. John describes this kind of Return of the King.
Tolkien has nothing on John!

These same people believe that when Jesus returns everyone who has not chosen to follow Jesus will be gathered together and cast into an everlasting lake of fire where they will be eternally tormented and punished for their unbelief.

Is this really what we should expect?

I’m not so sure.

Throughout the Bible God is revealed as Just and Righteous, to be sure.
God is also the friend of the humble, the widow, the orphan, and the stranger.
God is patient and gentle.
The image of a mother hen protecting her young is given to describe God.

Jesus came, not as a warrior to seek vengeance on God’s enemies and win vindication for Israel.
No. He came as a servant to deliver the Cosmos from the sting of Death.
He came to give life abundantly to The. Whole. Cosmos.

Do we really think that at Jesus’ second Advent his character will have changed?

No. I don’t think so.

I think that the expectations of those waiting for a Warrior King will be as far off as they were at Jesus’ first Advent.
I think that if Love reigned as the Kingdom of God approached then.
If Love has reigned ever since Jesus disappeared into the clouds all of those years ago.
Then, Love will continue to reign when Jesus returns.

Let’s put aside any image of God that does not welcome sinner and saint together in the Great Loving Heart of God.

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Advent: A Season of Expectation, Pt. 2

Published by mhelbert on December 11, 2019

Yesterday I shared a little about what people at the time of Jesus’ birth expected from Messiah. This person was supposed to show up and lead the people of Israel just as the warrior king David had a millennia earlier. Messiah would defeat Israel’s enemies and ultimately set up an Empire. This Messiah King, according to the Scriptures, would reign in righteousness, justice, and power. The entire world would come to Jerusalem to worship the Messiah and to receive justice from him.

But, what actually happened?

Well, Jesus showed up.
Born among family and animals and placed in a feeding trough.
Escaped as a refugee to Egypt when the existing empire got wind of His existence.
Returned to Israel and grew up in a small backwater town.
Worked with his hands and learned how to deal with people.

Not the kind of king that was really expected.
In fact, as Jesus began to share what he believed was the truth about God and God’s reign, all of those folks who expected a Warrior Messiah turned on him.
Why?
Because he didn’t live up to their expectations.

If Jesus was truly the Messiah, then what exactly did that mean?
If He was not here to defeat Israel’s enemies and set up a Messianic Empire, then what did he actually do?

In the beginning….

At the very beginning of the Bible there is the story about how God made the heavens and the earth. All things were created and the Cosmos set in motion.
After a while, the humans there decided to think for themselves and deviate from the path that God had set before them.
They hid from God.
Then, the story tells us that in the cool of the afternoon, God came walking through the garden. God called out to the people, “Where are you?” This is told in such a way that we are supposed to think that this was something the God did regularly. God walked through the garden with a desire to spend time with them.
This theme of God coming to people with a desire to spend time with them is found throughout the Bible.

That idea found its completion in the person: Jesus.

The writers of the Gospels tell us about Jesus who came and pitched His tent among us. They write about the Jesus who hangs out at weddings and really likes good wine.
Jesus shows up at parties and hangs out with lepers and cripples and women. He held little children on his lap and told his grown disciples that God’s reign was going to be filled with people just like those children.
Not warriors.
Not politicians.
Certainly not Emperors.

It seems that the expectations that Israel had were off just a tad.
Instead of a Warrior King, they got a Servant King.

That Servant King desires to reign over a kingdom filled with people who are like those children that He held.
Childlike faith.
Childlike wonder.
Childlike…you fill in the blank.

I look around us today and see people who still think that a Warrior King is God’s plan.
They believe that Empire can save them.

But, is that what God has shown us?
No.
God desires to walk with us in the cool of the afternoon.
God’s reign is built on Love and Relationships.
Not power and Empire.

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Advent: A Season of Expectation

Published by mhelbert on December 10, 2019

Advent is that time before Christmas that the Church set aside in order to Prepare for the Arrival of Messiah.
In history, that Messiah is recognized as Jesus of Nazareth.
In our time we prepare for the return of Messiah Jesus in Glory.

The people of ancient Israel had their own expectations about the Messiah.
Their prophets told stories about the coming King of Israel.
The Psalmists sang about how God would restore the fortunes of Israel through a King like David. David, a mighty warrior and leader who fought to deliver God’s people from the perils of their enemies.
The “Idea” of Messiah grew into mythic proportions by the time that Jesus was born.
Messiah would be a great military leader who would rally Israel against her tormentors and enemies from Rome. This would establish Israel as the leading military power in the known world.
The Messiah would judge Israel in all righteousness and justice. The poor would be cared for and succor given to the widow and orphan. Foreigners would flock to Jerusalem to hear the Word of God and receive justice.

This Messiah would be, in fact, a King of Kings.

This concept of a Messiah King was ingrained in the cultural fabric of the people of Israel.
Jesus’ own disciples held tightly to the hope of a military and political Messiah.
Throughout the time that Jesus walked with them they questioned Jesus about such things as, “Who’s the greatest among us?” or, “Who will get to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus when he sits on his throne?” or again, “Shall we now call down fire on these unrepentant Samaritans?”
They asked Jesus when his reign as Messiah King would begin. They queried Jesus about times and events that, to their minds, would easily be recognized as the beginning of Jesus’ reign of power on earth.
I can just imagine the hope that arose in them as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on what we now celebrate as Palm Sunday.
“Yes!” I can hear James and John saying. “It’s happening!!! Finally, the King has returned!”

Expectations of empire.
Expectations of earthly power.
Expectations of God vindicating God’s self on all those “Others” out there who stand against Israel.

You know, it doesn’t seem as though expectations have changed all that much in 2,000 years.

Oh, by the way…
They were wrong then, too.

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Confession: I’ve A Way To Go

Published by mhelbert on December 9, 2019

I don’t think that anyone really likes looking in mirrors.
Regardless of how much of a narcissist we may be, I think that we always find something lacking. There is some imperfection that our eyes immediately zoom in on. There’s that hair I missed while shaving this morning. And, damn! it’s right under my nose! Or, that zit that appeared in the last five minutes. Or, there’s a new wrinkle.

And, yet, we must look at ourselves in order to view these things. How can I get rid of that hair if I don’t see it? Yeah, riddle me that!

Oh, I suppose I could not look and wonder why when people look at me their eyes are drawn to that spot on my face that’s growing an oak tree sized hair. Of course, they would be too polite to say anything. The hair would remain until I could see it in a reflection of some sort, whether a mirror or Narcissus’ pool. Then, I could shave it off and all would be well again.

There are other kinds of reflections that we don’t like to see.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting with our parish priest and his husband as they opened their home to us. They provided food and good hospitality. Many from the parish stopped in to visit share our time and lives, however briefly, with one another.

As I sat, munching on some really good food, (thanx Rob!), I listened to various conversations. People talked about art and ballet, restaurants and theater. They shared about their kids and their homes. They laughed and joked about high prices and low values. It was a typical gathering of folks living in middle-class America.

And, I felt hopelessly out of place.

It’s not because I don’t live a privileged life. I do.
Nor do I begrudge these others their good fortune. I don’t.

However, there’s no way that I can relate to them.
I’m from a different era than most of these.
While my parents tried to keep up with the Joneses, I am a child of the 60s. We had an idealism that pretty much abandoned that whole race of the rodents. And, it seems 50 years on I still hold to some of that old idealism.
But, there is a part of me that would really, really like to be able to afford tickets to Broadway plays or to travel in order to see some exhibit of art or ballet.
The bottom line is, though, my wife and I simply can’t do those things.
Especially now that I’m looking at retirement. There are limits, some of them pretty constricting, to what we are able to do.

That leads me to my confession.

Envy.

Yep, that Green Eyed creature that lurks in the blackness of want and desire.
While I would really like to think of myself as above such material things that these other folks were talking about, I’m not. Don’t think ill of me. I’m just a guy who struggles with the whole being human thing.

So why is this an issue?

My envy belies something that is deeper than just desire.
It reveals a feeling of entitlement and superiority.
I am exposed as someone common and vulgar.
Envy shows me that I am still attached to stuff.
There are still gods and idols that my heart and mind bow to that are not worthy of my attention. Yet, they snatch and grab at me. My eyes become averted from the overwhelming blessings that I have received and focus on what I don’t.

That’s why it’s an issue.
I looked in the mirror and saw envy staring back at me.
Hopefully, now that I see it I can cut it off.

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Advent: Second Sunday

Published by mhelbert on December 6, 2019

This Sunday is the Second in Advent.
Last week I shared a bit about this season here.

In that post I explained that the term Advent comes from that Latin, Adventus, which means “arrival” or “coming.”

And, that’s exactly what we celebrate at this time of year. It is a season of preparation, waiting, and anticipation for the “arrival” of the Messiah.

But, the Advent of Jesus 2,000 years ago isn’t the only way that the Church has understood this season.

The word Adventus is the Latin translation of a Greek word used in the New Testament.
That word in Parousia.
Parousia is translated in English using a few different terms.
It is sometimes translated “Presence.”
The Apostle Paul wrote about the times when he was “Present” with the Church at Corinth.
So, it was not necessarily a religious word. It was a term that common, everyday folks would use and understand.

Another way to translate Parousia is, as mentioned above, the word “Arrival.”
Again, it can be used to talk about someone’s “arrival” at a destination.
Common word for common folks.

This time of year, though, provides us with the opportunity to understand the idea of “arrival” a little differently.

The Apostle James wrote, “

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. (Jas. 5:7-8).

“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s Parousia…
Because the Lord’s Parousia is near…”


The Apostle was writing about the expected return of Jesus.
According to the writer of the book of Acts, Jesus was taken up into the clouds at His ascension.
In the same way, Jesus would return, (Acts 1:11).

Jesus will return, the New Testament writers agree.
When?
No one knows except the Father who is in Heaven.

But, we wait…

expectantly…

patiently…

and prepare…

for the Parousia of Jesus.

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It’s The Most Wonderful Time…

Published by mhelbert on December 5, 2019

“You better hustle your bustle, Missy!” he said to the young girl.
Her small hand holding firm to his as her short legs churned to keep up.
“We don’t want to be late, now. Do we?”
Looking up she saw the broad smile across her Dad’s face.
Eyes glittering, she smiled back and shook her head.

They walked past store windows with bright displays of Christmas trees and gifts. Trains chugga-chugged around the bottom of the trees. Real smoke huffing and puffing from the locomotives.
Characters dressed up in caps and scarfs, heads moving back and forth as carols rang out, stood next to stacks of wrapped boxes.

The man and his daughter walked through a great, revolving door into a huge store. People rushing about with bags and packages in their arms. Others milling about counters sniffing various fragrances. Other children standing next to those people looking bored.

To the escalator the two hurried.
Second floor: Housewares
Hurry around to the next set of moving stairs.
Third floor: Bedding and Curtains.
One more time around the block!
Fourth floor…
Christmas Town!

The young girl looked around, her eyes wide with amazement.
There were trees decorated with all different colors of lights and ornaments.
White puffs that looked like snow covered the floors next to the aisles.
Row after row of toys and elves stood all around them.

At the end of one aisle there was a tall red and white poll standing.
Beneath it there was a team of reindeer pawing the ground and bobbing their heads.
A great, red sleigh sat behind them.

“Hurry, Daddy!” the girl cried. “There’s already a line!”
“You run and get in line,” he said releasing her hand.
As she queued up, she looked back at him.
Her eyes aglow, a great smile that seemed to light up her face.
Soon, she would see, well, you know…

May your hopes and dreams and the anticipation of good things bring you joy as you walk through this most wonderful time of the year.

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Wednesday Morning Musing

Published by mhelbert on December 4, 2019

“How big is God?” the young child asked.
I scratched my chin and thought.
“Well, Peter Gabriel thinks that God is a Really. Big. God,” I mused to myself.
The god that I used to pray to was pretty small, I guess.
That god was always pissed off at the pettiest things. He was the Cosmic Grumpy McGrumperson. He seemed ready to just send everyone to Hell and take names later.

Then, I realized that God isn’t like that at all.
No, God is as big as the Cosmos.
God’s love extends beyond the reaches of the Universe.
God laughs!

“My child, God is bigger than your imagination.
God smiles as God hides inside a Nebula.
God puts Diviner hands over God’s laughing eyes and plays
Peek-a-boo with a comet.
God races across the Cosmos to send a Pulsar spinning like a top.
Yet, God finds Joy resting within your little heart.
God wraps up in your love and your desire just as you wrap yourself in your favorite blanket.”

“So, how big is God?”

“As big as you need God to be.”

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Priorities: What Idols Do We Bow Before?

Published by mhelbert on December 3, 2019

Yesterday I ranted a bit about how desire for more ‘stuff’ seems to be the driving force behind the current news cycle as well as virtually all advertising across all media platforms.
It is disheartening.
We place such a premium on our comfort and status that we have lost sight of our obligations in human society.
Yeah, I said Obligations.

That whole concept is foreign to our Western mind.
I remember my Dad telling me one morning as we drove to work together that I needed to make sure and watch out for “Number ONE” because no one else will.
Number ONE in that context was Self.

That one phrase is damning on different levels.

First, it raises ME to the pinnacle of of importance.
“Look at me! I’m the most biggest, importantest Person EVER!”
(Loud applause!!!)
This, alone, creates a problem when Everyone considers themselves Number One.
I mean, the last time I checked there could only be 1 Number One.

While that idea must lead to conflict, there is another part of what Dad said that may be even more damning.

I must look out for my own interests Because NO. ONE. ELSE. WILL.

Really?

Has our society really come to the point where we can count on no one to have our backs?

If you listen to the news and advertisers the answer must be a resounding YES!
The whole world revolves around what I want and to hell with whatever you want.
Did anyone see images of Black Friday shopping?

By definition, an idol is “an object or picture that is worshiped as god.”

In the case that my Dad made, then Number One is an idol.
I am the focus of time, talent, attention, and adulation.

Then, of course, there’s the other idol that comes along with that.
(I bet you didn’t no that we were polytheistic, did you?)
That idol is a picture of a little, green guy named George.
During the 1992 presidential campaign one of the candidates, in attempting to illuminate the most pressing issue on Everyone’s mind coined the phrase, “The Economy, Stupid”!
For the last three decades our culture has taken that to heart and created a god of the economy. A god that needs to be fed with our lust and greed. This god has an insatiable appetite.
This god destroys everything that tries to stand against it.

But, there is Another.

This Other is humble and meek.
He considers the needs of others before His own.
Make no mistake, He is also quite powerful.
He can stand against the idols of Self and George.

During this Advent season, why don’t we stop and listen to that Other.
Let the sound of our heart beating for someone other than Number One drown out the noise and clamor and the demands of those other false gods. For, false they are.

I don’t know.
Just a thought.

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Here Comes Santa Claus

Published by mhelbert on December 2, 2019

Ready or not, Here He Comes!
Hoppin’ and a-Boppin’ right down Santa Claus Lane.

I remember way back when the Sears catalog was the biggest thing in the world. I had no idea where this magical book came from. But, when it arrived I grabbed it and ran! That’s because in the middle of that blessed catalog were page after page of glorious toys!
Everything that a kid could possibly desire could be found in those pages.
I would go to the kitchen to ‘that’ drawer by the phone where the pencils lived and find one with a nice, sharp point.
Then, in my little corner of the world, I would circle all of the full-color pictures of the toys that I would ask that jolly, old Elf to bring me.

I had no idea that my mom would take that catalog later and see what I had circled so that she could make her shopping list.
All I knew was that the stuff that I circled, those things that I then asked every Santa’s Helper in every store we went to, somehow magically appeared under our Christmas tree on Christmas morning.

Hallelujah!

Those were the days! Right?

Simple faith in what appeared in a book.

It wasn’t until I was maybe 7 or 8 years old that I heard that Christmas was really all about celebrating the birthday of someone named Jesus.
And, even when I did hear about that, I really had no clue who this Jesus fella was or why we would celebrate his birthday.

My parents, like many other folks in the late 50s and through the 60s, wanted to live up to a standard of life that told everyone, “Look at us! We made it!”
So, they made sure that we had the requisite Stuff that affluent middle-class folks had. Stuff from the Sears catalog, for instance.

The reason I’m bringing this up today is because I think that my parents, and all those other parent from that era, taught their children well.
We do like us some ‘stuff.’
We enjoy the comfort that our status provides.
There’s something ‘nice’ about having kept up with the Jones’s all of these years.

But, it’s really kinda sad.

Every day I hear on the news, usually as the lead story, how Americans spent more than 7 billion dollars on stuff on Black Friday.
So-called experts expect today’s Cyber Monday sales to set all kinds of records.
People are spending freely in order to snag their SWAG.

Yeah. Top story.
Biggest EVER!

While somewhere later in the show, or below the fold in the newspaper, the story of the teenager who was shot and killed over the weekend is reported.
Near the end we get to find out that dozens died in this or that conflict somewhere in the world.
Poverty and disease don’t even make the final edits.
The fact that millions will go hungry this season doesn’t register.
Oh, but, the last story will be that ‘feel good’ one about a church feeding 1,200 people on the holiday.

We need a feel good story, don’t we?

Because all of the time and money we spend engorging ourselves on stuff that we neither really want nor need makes us feel a bit guilty.
Well, maybe for a minute or two.

Yeah. We caught up to the Jones’s. And, the Smith’s and Clark’s.
But, at what cost?
Our soul?

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