The Gospel today has always tended to set a note of fear within me. It seems like God is waiting to spring out and catch me in a trap. The way that I have heard this has often instilled a very unhealthy spiritual sense. As I prayed with the readings the notes played within the second reading began to resonate with me. I was reminded of how a good music teacher will begin to play a song alongside a beginning student, until they are able to build enough confidence to begin to play alone. Or when learning to ride a bike, how your parent will run behind you keeping the bike upright as you learn to find your balance. Or I was reminded of my trip to Tasmania many years ago and we had stopped near the town of Georgetown on the Tamar River and somehow managed to score a ride in the Pilot Boat out to meet the massive freighter ships as they came in and out to Bass Straight.
Jesus is not inviting us to renew our journey with him from a distance. No, he draws near, right alongside us, to shelter us and guide us, to protect us and lead us.
Sunday 1 in Advent, Year C
Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28, Luke 21:34-36
