Once again, this week, the message of our readings is a message of HOPE, and a message of great promise – even in the midst of the darkest hours, and seemingly impossible situations.
But these readings are also an encouragement to me as they make it very clear that even the heroes and saints, the greatest of believers, had moments when questions, worries and doubts assailed them.
Mary asked “how can this be?” John asked ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’
A young, unwed mother-to-be facing an uncertain future, a wilderness preacher awaiting a death sentence and a nation in exile – all given a message of HOPE and the promise of an incredibly different and wonderful future.
So, what does this mean for us living in the between times? In the words of James (5:7-8) 7 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
So we live each day, not as those who are under sentence of death … but as those just setting out on a journey to a wondrous new life.
Love and Blessings
Reverend Shan