– Haggai 1 -2; Psalm 133; Mark 11
“O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.” Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel!”
Though brief, the two chapters of the prophet Haggai say much about our modern day Advent and approaching Christmas season. This little book tells us about the folk in and around Jerusalem following the exile period. Many have returned to their homeland and many had just come out of hiding. But whether exiled physically or just spiritually, the Lord through Haggai is calling them back to relationship with their God. The people have been so busy taking care of the own personal needs they have ignored God’s Temple. Through God’s Prophet, Haggai, God chides the people, “are you satisfied with what you have done for yourselves.” “Now therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider how you have fared. You have sown much, and harvested little; you eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and you that earn wages earn wages to put them into a bag with holes.”
God’s message through Haggai is really not so much about the rebuilding of the temple as it is about acknowledging God’s Presence in their lives. The people have lost their sense of unity and purpose. They are attempting to plow through life spiritually impotent. No matter what they have it doesn’t seem like enough. Does this often apply to us? ---- But the Lord takes the lead and through Haggai says, “I am with you.” This is the meaning of the word Emmanuel [God is with us!]. Carl Jung, the famous psychologist had this quote inscribed over is door in latin:
“Vocatus at que non Vacatus Deusadent” – Bidden or not Bidden God is Present!
When the people pull together as a people of God, God is in the midst of them –The Psalmist reminds us today: “Oh, how good and pleasant it is, when brethren live together in unity.”
But, like the post exile people being addressed by Haggai, often we don’t recognize God’s presence in our midst. We have busy lives with much to attend to. Chapter 11 of Mark’s Gospel is another prime example. Jesus is in the midst of God’s people but still to most, goes unrecognized. This Triumphal Entry in Chapter 11, we refer to as Palm Sunday, will culminate in less than a week’s time with shouts of “Crucify Him!” This Messiah, This Emmanuel, born on a starry, starry night in a remote little village will die an earthly death because of humankinds desire to make God’s Presence with us conform to our own design. Jesus enters not as the King he is being proclaimed but as a meek and suffering servant of all.
Let us not continue to look for God’s presence in signs of political power and false majesty but rather in those attributes of a nurturing, guiding, God of love, service and harmony. Lord, let us see you for what you are and acknowledge your presence in our midst. Help each of us to build your temple in our individual and the collective hearts of our sisters and brothers.
“O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.” Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel!”
Seasons Blessings,
Tom+
The Venerable Thomas A. Bruttell
Archdeacon, Diocese of Southeast Florida
“O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.” Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel!”
Though brief, the two chapters of the prophet Haggai say much about our modern day Advent and approaching Christmas season. This little book tells us about the folk in and around Jerusalem following the exile period. Many have returned to their homeland and many had just come out of hiding. But whether exiled physically or just spiritually, the Lord through Haggai is calling them back to relationship with their God. The people have been so busy taking care of the own personal needs they have ignored God’s Temple. Through God’s Prophet, Haggai, God chides the people, “are you satisfied with what you have done for yourselves.” “Now therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider how you have fared. You have sown much, and harvested little; you eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and you that earn wages earn wages to put them into a bag with holes.”
God’s message through Haggai is really not so much about the rebuilding of the temple as it is about acknowledging God’s Presence in their lives. The people have lost their sense of unity and purpose. They are attempting to plow through life spiritually impotent. No matter what they have it doesn’t seem like enough. Does this often apply to us? ---- But the Lord takes the lead and through Haggai says, “I am with you.” This is the meaning of the word Emmanuel [God is with us!]. Carl Jung, the famous psychologist had this quote inscribed over is door in latin:
“Vocatus at que non Vacatus Deusadent” – Bidden or not Bidden God is Present!
When the people pull together as a people of God, God is in the midst of them –The Psalmist reminds us today: “Oh, how good and pleasant it is, when brethren live together in unity.”
But, like the post exile people being addressed by Haggai, often we don’t recognize God’s presence in our midst. We have busy lives with much to attend to. Chapter 11 of Mark’s Gospel is another prime example. Jesus is in the midst of God’s people but still to most, goes unrecognized. This Triumphal Entry in Chapter 11, we refer to as Palm Sunday, will culminate in less than a week’s time with shouts of “Crucify Him!” This Messiah, This Emmanuel, born on a starry, starry night in a remote little village will die an earthly death because of humankinds desire to make God’s Presence with us conform to our own design. Jesus enters not as the King he is being proclaimed but as a meek and suffering servant of all.
Let us not continue to look for God’s presence in signs of political power and false majesty but rather in those attributes of a nurturing, guiding, God of love, service and harmony. Lord, let us see you for what you are and acknowledge your presence in our midst. Help each of us to build your temple in our individual and the collective hearts of our sisters and brothers.
“O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.” Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel!”
Seasons Blessings,
Tom+
The Venerable Thomas A. Bruttell
Archdeacon, Diocese of Southeast Florida
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