Good Sunday morning, good Advent pilgrims on The Way of Mary. It’s the Third Sunday of Advent, AKA Gaudete Sunday. AKA Rose Sunday. AKA Stir Up Sunday.
In the collect prayer, we'll be asking God to "Stir up your might and come among us." We'll also be wearing rose/pink vestments in church and lighting the rose/pink candle.
Just for the occasion, I'm wearing my rose (pink) sweater and my necklace with the large silver rose. I am so sad that I can't find my rose earrings to match but they'll show up. Eventually. Probably next Sunday when I can't wear them again.
Rose or Gaudete Sunday is when we'll be celebrating that soon The Light of the World will be here. And, on December 21st, we'll observe the Ancient Solstice, when the world tips on its axis just a teeny tiny bit and, in fact, the world will be getting a little lighter.
As Wendell Berry says, Advent is the season when things get “darker and darker and darker and then, Jesus is born!”
We’re getting closer.
But the word for today is not "gaudete" or rejoice or rose or even "stir up". The word that came to me today is "Diva".
Let me explain.
In Indian culture, messengers of God are known "as points of light". And, that word? In ancient Sanskrit, the word is “diva” meaning "that which shines". Today, being a “diva” or a “little diva” is just a bit of a slam. It means that you’re spoiled and/or demanding and/or requiring lots of attention.
Today, this third Sunday in Advent, we rejoice (Gaudete!) even as John the Baptist seems to be said 'diva" and has himself a little hissy fit and yells at the crowd, "You brood of vipers!"
Today, John is the messenger of God - a diva in the most ancient meaning of that word in Sanskrit. The light of the Birth Narrative is shining on him and his message but The Light of the World, sent from God, is on His way.
Today is a good day to consider how it is that we bring a little light into the world, which seems these days to be an especially dark and broken place.
I don't know about you, but when I listen to the news or read yet another news article about "the peaceful transition of power" I am very tempted to borrow the words of John the Baptist and scream, "You brood of vipers!"
Which is one way to be a diva and bring a message of God. Personally? I don't think that's particularly helpful.
I'm wondering how I might bring a spark of light into some really dark times. How is it that I might find the courage to stand up and say "No," when that's important but to say "Yes," unless it's absolutely necessary to say "No."
I think that's how hope is made incarnate. God said, "Yes, I made a mistake back in the Garden and now I've got to fix it and send the deepest part of myself to be with those I created."
In many ways, Advent is, as Carter Heyward - one of God's true divas - once wrote, "The Redemption of God." Considering that theological idea - the incarnation of Jesus as the redemption of God - fills me with great hope.
We, as the Body of Christ, we who carry a divine spark within us, have this wonderful opportunity to participate in that ongoing redemption.
This Advent journey is, in great part, about finding our way back to the future in Eden. Together. By allowing ourselves to become divas. Points of Light. Messengers of God.
Off I go to church to ponder all these things in my heart.
I hope something good happens to you today.
Bom dia.
In the collect prayer, we'll be asking God to "Stir up your might and come among us." We'll also be wearing rose/pink vestments in church and lighting the rose/pink candle.
Just for the occasion, I'm wearing my rose (pink) sweater and my necklace with the large silver rose. I am so sad that I can't find my rose earrings to match but they'll show up. Eventually. Probably next Sunday when I can't wear them again.
Rose or Gaudete Sunday is when we'll be celebrating that soon The Light of the World will be here. And, on December 21st, we'll observe the Ancient Solstice, when the world tips on its axis just a teeny tiny bit and, in fact, the world will be getting a little lighter.
As Wendell Berry says, Advent is the season when things get “darker and darker and darker and then, Jesus is born!”
We’re getting closer.
But the word for today is not "gaudete" or rejoice or rose or even "stir up". The word that came to me today is "Diva".
Let me explain.
In Indian culture, messengers of God are known "as points of light". And, that word? In ancient Sanskrit, the word is “diva” meaning "that which shines". Today, being a “diva” or a “little diva” is just a bit of a slam. It means that you’re spoiled and/or demanding and/or requiring lots of attention.
Today, this third Sunday in Advent, we rejoice (Gaudete!) even as John the Baptist seems to be said 'diva" and has himself a little hissy fit and yells at the crowd, "You brood of vipers!"
Today, John is the messenger of God - a diva in the most ancient meaning of that word in Sanskrit. The light of the Birth Narrative is shining on him and his message but The Light of the World, sent from God, is on His way.
Today is a good day to consider how it is that we bring a little light into the world, which seems these days to be an especially dark and broken place.
I don't know about you, but when I listen to the news or read yet another news article about "the peaceful transition of power" I am very tempted to borrow the words of John the Baptist and scream, "You brood of vipers!"
Which is one way to be a diva and bring a message of God. Personally? I don't think that's particularly helpful.
I'm wondering how I might bring a spark of light into some really dark times. How is it that I might find the courage to stand up and say "No," when that's important but to say "Yes," unless it's absolutely necessary to say "No."
I think that's how hope is made incarnate. God said, "Yes, I made a mistake back in the Garden and now I've got to fix it and send the deepest part of myself to be with those I created."
In many ways, Advent is, as Carter Heyward - one of God's true divas - once wrote, "The Redemption of God." Considering that theological idea - the incarnation of Jesus as the redemption of God - fills me with great hope.
We, as the Body of Christ, we who carry a divine spark within us, have this wonderful opportunity to participate in that ongoing redemption.
This Advent journey is, in great part, about finding our way back to the future in Eden. Together. By allowing ourselves to become divas. Points of Light. Messengers of God.
Off I go to church to ponder all these things in my heart.
I hope something good happens to you today.
Bom dia.
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