Day 4 - Power and Treasure
Living Christ Sangha - Advent Ango Practice Period
Readings
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Isaiah 2: 1-11
1 Thessalonians 2: 13-20
Luke 20: 19-26
Reflection
The readings for the early part of Advent have an apocalyptic focus on judgement, which can make them harsh and tough to apply to our lives. Today’s readings are no exception, but they do contain a common and important theme.
The reading from Isaiah presents the promise of world peace in some of the best known and most beautiful verses in scripture. Then the reading turns suddenly to condemn the nation that has lost its way in spite of the accumulation of plenty of power and material prosperity. The Epistle uses extremely problematic language1 to discuss how both religious and secular authorities have used power to try and restrict the practice and growth of the nascent Christian movement in both Judea and in Thessolonica. In the Gospel. the religious authorities use money to try and trick Jesus into either speaking against the Roman empire or committing blasphemy against his Jewish faith, but they fail in this attempt. The theological nexus of these three readings is the misuse of power and possessions. It seems the great temptations of wealth and power have always led people astray, yet the problem lies not in their presence in our lives, but in our relationship to them.
The antidote to these temptations is not to become ascetics or to surrender all of our power and become doormats. Instead, we are called to recognize and gratefully enjoy the gifts we have been given, to share these gifts with those in need, and to use our power (which is really just another gift) for the common good.
Prayer
Giver of all good things, inspire my mind so that I may recognize all of the gifts you have given to me. Fill my heart so that I may respond with love and compassion to all who are in need. Embolden my spirit so that I may work with courage for justice and peace in the world. All of this we ask in the communion of the Living Christ. Amen.
It is important to acknowledge the antisemitic rhetoric of 1 Thessalonians 2: 14-15. Paul was Jewish, and there has been a significant scholarly debate about whether these verses are authentically Pauline or later additions to the letter. Whatever the case may be, we must be clear that the language is a hateful generalization against the Jewish people which has resulted in centuries of harm.