Advent Reflections, 2007
Friday, December 21 – Scripture Readings:
Psalm 51; Zechariah 7:8-8:8; Revelation 5:6-14; Matthew 25:14-30
From the Psalm:
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clan;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have crushed rejoice…(7-8)
And from Zechariah:
The word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying: Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor…(8:8-9)
The Psalm speaks of joy and gladness – “me” focused and acquired through God’s mercy. Zechariah speaks of kindness and mercy – “other” focused and acquired through the mercy we show to others.
I’m sure this isn’t quite as weighty an illustration as these topics merit, but this afternoon was a lesson in both for me. I took Emma and Abby Christmas shopping – for my present(s). Now, of course, on some level, this is about me and my joy and gladness. But far more, it was about them – their joy and gladness and, frankly, their kindness and mercy, as well. As I watched them plot, scheme, laugh, hide, deliberate, and then secretly figure out how to keep me from knowing what I was ultimately paying for, the categories of me, other, and who was most extending and receiving mercy got all mixed up. I could have cared less what I was going to get out of the deal. Seeing them so enthused and enraptured by the process of surprising me, by focusing on the “other” was worth far more than anything I’ll open in just a few days. Joy and gladness intermingled with kindness and mercy. You couldn’t tell where one began and the other left off. It was beautiful.
What beauty we might see and offer if we could let these categories mix in our understanding and experience of God’s kindness mercy – that which we know and that which we extend. It is God’s kindness and mercy to me that offers me joy and gladness. Further, it is because of God’s kindness and mercy to me that I can offer the same to others and bring them joy and gladness which, in turn, gives me more joy and gladness.
One more thought: as God comes in the form of Jesus – an act of kindness and mercy – is that not the very thing that invites our joy and gladness and then more kindness and mercy? Is it not God’s kindness and mercy about which the angels sing with joy and gladness and which then invites the shepherds to their own joy and gladness as well as kindness and mercy? This continues with the 3 Kings, don’t you think? And it’s preceded by the angels’ joy and gladness as well as kindness and mercy to Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph. And what about Anna and Simeon? See? It goes on and on: joy and gladness lead to kindness and mercy which leads to more joy and gladness. Kindness and mercy lead to joy and gladness which leads to more kindness and mercy. OK, I’ll stop.
I wanted to be able to watch the girls for hours longer than our adventure took. And yet it continues: they are now upstairs secretly wrapping their treasures. Joy and gladness, kindness ad mercy, joy and gladness, kindness and mercy. Gifts. Giver. Recipient. Gifts. And the best of all – the package with everything all in one: Emmanuel, God-with-us. Amazing.
Can you hear the angels singing as Emma and Abby wrap gifts? As Jesus comes into our midst as a baby? As heaven and nature sing with joy and gladness at the kindness and mercy of God? Amazing.
Much rambling tonight; but far more, the warmth of a beautiful, amazing day filled with joy and gladness, kindness and mercy, and indeed, Emmanuel, God-with-us in plotting, planning, packages, and presents. Amazing.
