DECEMBER 2014
VOLUME 103
ISSUE 11
“Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8-9
IN THIS ISSUE ● From the Rector ● Stewardship Update ● Christian Formation
FROM THE RECTOR—THE REV. BETH KNOWLTON
● Women’s Christmas
The Already and the Not Yet
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Luncheon Christmas to the Street Christmas Pageant Children & Family Christmas Worship Schedule
The Newsletter of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 315 E. Pecan St. San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 226-2426 www.stmarks-sa.org
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ne of the tensions for the first Christians was that they were constantly in a state of acknowledging the presence of the Risen Christ as palpable and real, while at the same time waiting for his return. They expected that return to come within their lifetime, so this was not abstract in any way. It colored how they thought about decisions, and what their priorities of daily life should be. This is a tension we name each week in the Eucharist when we say, “Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.” Advent is a season that catches us preparing for new life and the birth of the infant Jesus. At the same time, we also hear the prophets railing on about a very different sort of arrival. The danger for me is to think this is some abstract theological concept, or something that those poor folks back in ancient times had to struggle with. If I am honest though, this tension of the already and the not yet is a daily tension of the Christian life. When I am centered, I see signs of the presence of God in each face and encounter that comes my way. When I am centered, I can look with genuine grief and compassion at things in our world that clearly are still longing for redemption. If I am praying as I should, then these tensions and ambiguity are held in the loving care of God. If I am distracted and overcome with activity, I can start to think it is my individual responsibility to right all the wrongs I see and wonder when on earth God is going to bother to show up. This passage from second Peter is a wonderful reminder about the tension we live in. Because when I find myself struggling with impatience, or wondering where God has gone, that is actually a gift. Because maybe it is me that needs a bit more time. Maybe I need to realize my need to turn more fully to God. There is a very different time horizon at work with the eternal, and that may be the best gift of all. There is not a pressure to get it all done today, because when God beholds us with the eyes of love, we have all the time we need. My hope is each of us will listen to that invitation this season. Then Christ will again be born again, and return. Blessings for a Holy Advent and Christmas.
Beth+