The Mission of Advent

Gospel: Matthew 9: 35-10: 1, 5-8

In ancient times when a new kingdom came along to rule over a land, this arrival was met with great fear and apprehension.  For when a conquering kingdom entered the land, they often brought with it terrible things: pillaging, rape, and slavery.  There might be a random act of mercy here and there in order to get certain people on the side of the new regime, but by and large the arrival of a new kingdom was not a time of rejoicing.  This was especially true in the history of Israel.

Today we are given the Advent mission: go our and proclaim that God’s kingdom is at hand.  To mark the arrival of this kingdom acts of mercy are extended to all, acts that we are supposed to do for others: heal the sick, cleanse lepers, raise the dead, drive out demons.  God’s kingdom does not bring destruction and woes.  Instead, it brings mercy and liberation to all people of all times and places. 

As people of God, have we brought mercy and liberation to others, or have we instead brought more woe and calamity? How might other people answer that question if it were asked of them about us? If the Christian faith has been more woe than liberation for others, now is the time to change that dynamic, now is the time to bring the kingdom through deeds of love and mercy that will bring liberation of body, mind, and spirit to others in our world.  This is our Advent mission.