Hope

Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith–to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen– Romans 16:25-27

What else is there for me to add to the words of Paul?

God is “able to strengthen you.” Wow, do we ever need that right about now. We all need strength to keep going through a global pandemic, through a global recession, through a difficult season in our society and in our culture and in our political life. We even need strength to keep going through a season traditionally considered to be a “season of cheer” in this time when the light seems all too scarce. Paul writes that God is able to strengthen us according to his “gospel”—gospel means “good news”—Paul’s good news is the good news revealed in Christ; that God is with us always, that we all are created in God’s image, and especially that disconnection from God is removed from all of us who embrace the means of staying connected.

The mystery is now disclosed: that love is everything. God is love. We who are created in God’s image are created in love and of love. The power of connection is the power of love.

The Saturn-Jupiter super conjunction will produce a “Christmas Star” on Monday evening in certain parts of the world (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/18/style/self-care/jupiter-and-saturn-conjunction-christmas-star.html ). It is a herald. Of what we do not know, but of change we only can pray. At least we know this, the solstice means the days will begin to be a tiny bit longer, there will be each day a bit more light. It is a time for hope.

It is by this, by the possibility of hope, that God strengthens us. It is in the embrace of life and the comprehension of life through the power of love that we see what Mary said to the angel Gabriel: “For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1: 37).

So here we are on the eve of the Solstice. By the way, it is Christmas now—go for it! Light your trees and your candles and have an egg nog. Embrace hope. And let the love within you light up the world.

4 Advent Year A 2020 RCL  (2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Canticle 15 The Song of Mary Magnificat; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38)

©2020 The Rev. Dr. Richard P. Smiraglia. All rights reserved.