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Words From the Middle

At the intersection of Sacred and Profane

2014/12/07

Context is everything

The title of this blog post was originally going to be something about relativity but then I thought that “context” might capture the essence of these sermons a bit better.

We have arrived at the second week of Advent and for some this might be the hardest week to make it through, Christmas is still so far away. The first week can pass on novelty and the third week is the second last week and the fourth week means it is almost here but the second week . . . .

The sermons this week are taken from the Lectionary’s 2 Peter reading and revolve around the phrase “with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day” (2 Peter 3:8 NRSV). We can spend a lot of time trying to figure out exactly what Peter is getting at with this or we can look at it as a reminder that God is fundamentally different than us, not just bigger and older. His notion of time is different than ours and as such it is presumptuous for us to decide if he is late or early. When Jesus returns, whatever that looks like and whenever it happens, we will know then that it was at exactly the right time. In the mean time, let’s not forget that our context limits us in ways that seriously challenge our ability to judge God.

Knox Presbyterian What’s the delay?

https://wordsfromthemiddle.ca/wp-content/uploads/141207_Knox.mp3

St. Mark’s Presbyterian What’s the delay?

https://wordsfromthemiddle.ca/wp-content/uploads/141207_St_Marks.mp3

I hope that your Advent celebrations are everything you need them to be and that you are enjoying them for what they are even as you also prepare for Christmas.

Blessings,

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Article by Barry / Advent, Preaching, Sunday, Year B / 1000 years, advent, context, early, late, preaching, relativity Leave a Comment

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