Recognizing the Coming

Gospel: Luke 10: 21-24

When Jesus came in the specific historical time and place in which he lived, some recognized his coming for what it was.  Some, however, did not recognize it, and still others openly rejected that presence in the world.  Today's Gospel passage reflects on that fact, and those who do accept Jesus for who he is - or at least state that they do - find it incredulous that there would be those who did not recognize it, and even more aghast that there were those who openly rejected it.

But consider: it is the core of our faith that every single human being is an image and likeness of God, each one another Christ, each one a temple of the Holy Spirit.  God is present and manifest in each person.  Yet, how many truly recognize this fact and live that reality?  How many do not see it at all?  And how many openly reject this fact?  When images of God are called "illegals" or referred to in racial slurs, slurs to demean one as special needs or of one's identity, the number of those rejecting this truth of faith is quite high indeed.

What does this have to do with Advent? We are not awaiting the coming of Jesus the first time; that has already happened.  We are not even awaiting the coming of Jesus the second time; that's like waiting for Godot.  We are preparing ourselves to encounter the living God in the presence of others each and every day, and to live that reality by loving them, extending mercy and compassion on them, and honoring their dignity, worth, and identity as images of God in the world.  That is our Advent task.