Good God who comes soon, hear our pledge that we will be about the good work you expect of us at your coming. In his name, Amen.
Psalm 119:49-73
Zechariah 3:1-10
Revelation 4:1-8
Matthew 24:45-51
The reading in Revelation gives us a peek into the throne room of God. The one seated on the throne is beyond description in power, awe, majesty, and dominion. That awesomeness is acknowledge in the never-ending doxology, "Holy, holy, holy."
The wonder of that holiness is that from it is offered a derivative holiness for human creatures in the world. Thus Zechariah can contemplate Joshua, the high priest in the exilic period of ancient Israel. As representative of Israel in that difficult moment, the priest is unworthy and unclean and unqualified. That is, Israel cannot be in the presence of the holy God. But the promise is that the holy God will make Joshua (and so Israel) holy and qualified to be before God. That is divine holiness "making holy."
But notice that this overwhelming act of transformation comes with rigorous expectation: "if you walk in my ways and keep my requirements." Being made holy depends on obedience to the requirements of God, without which there will be no "holy making." That same requirement is voiced in the Gospel reading. When the master (the holy God in the form of the crucified and risen one) comes (as he surely will), the master will look for servants who are "faithful and wise." The measure of "faithful and wise" is to provide "food at the proper time" for the household. That is, the way to be ready for the coming of God is to be at work managing the life resources of creation in a wise way that will sustain all creatures. This requirement thus pertains to the political economy, the care of the neighbor, and protection of the environment. Such readiness is our work in Advent.
Walter Brueggemann: Gift and Task
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