3rd Sunday Advent – The Light as Intruder

I had never noticed this, but how the heck did the Jewish officials know to send investigators to interrogate John?  Was there “a disturbance in the Force?”  Must have been.  The priests, Levites, & Pharisees demonstrate the fundamental resistance to the Light.

The Light intruded, invaded, & pushed against the darkness.  The darkness pushed back because those in darkness were comfortable with what light they had.  And we resemble that pushing-back.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him.  He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.

The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not.  He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. (John 1:6-11)

And further.

And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and human beings loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God. (John 3:19-21)

It’s as if Christ is our Light.  And we each control the dimmer switch.  Too much light!  Don’t look at me!  You might see…

What does this have to do with Advent?

As the psalmist says, “Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face…”  In other words, it’s this wounded, aggressively self-defensive humankind that wants to see you, but doesn’t want to be seen.

And the place in our lives we protect, fence off, ignore, or avoid is the very place the Incarnation continues to happen in our inner Bethlehem.  Christ has taken on our precious and hurt humanity.  Can we welcome what he received?

Happy Advent! –roc,sj