Today we are encouraged not only to bear our sufferings, but to give thanks in the midst of them. Today, we are exhorted to “rejoice in the Lord always.”

This season of Advent challenges us to a different kind of preparation, one that calls us to examine our lives, our values, and our priorities.

Nothing lasts for ever, except Jesus’ words, the Incarnate Word; who was, and is, and is to come. What does it mean to hear this truth, this promise in the midst of impermanency?

“Live as children of light!” How do we do that?

Although too often this narrative has been used to portray a hopeless and catastrophic situation, in reality, Jesus seems to be speaking about a hopeful and salvific future.

The violence and death we inflict on each other does not have to be this way. There is still hope.

“God has knit together his elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of Christ.”

Like Bartimaeus, through being in community with one another we are able to hear “take heart, get up, he is calling you.”

If we walk this path of faith, if we can follow Jesus’ teachings about love, forgiveness, giving, serving others, and remove the potential stumbling blocks that get in our way, then we will be transformed. It is impossible to walk in here, spend time with this community and not be transformed.

Contentment is about being satisfied given the limitations of our present life, what is not changeable.

When we live out these teachings and offer selfless service to others, we create a piece of the Kingdom of God in the here and now, and indeed in the place we call home.

Greatness is determined by weakness and vulnerability. By service and sacrifice. By humility and honour. By truthfulness and faithfulness.

How has God placed a call on your heart to love? Where do you feel you called to serve? How do your actions, each and every day, reflect the mission of Christ?

After all, we do know, we really do know from our own personal experiences just how deeply God loves each and everyone of us – and that is exactly what this neighborhood of West Broadway needs to hear and see from us.

This text shows us that Jesus sees clearly the ugliness of human hearts, yet he does not turn away.

God is working life in the midst of apparent failure and rejection.

Jesus promises rather than instructs or explains. Jesus promises that whoever eats the flesh and drinks the blood of Jesus, the Son of Man, has eternal life now and will be raised up on the last day.

When we take time to slow down, when we take time to see and feel the presence of God around us, we begin to see that we are surrounded by an abundance.

Essential to Mark’s Gospel, is that the presence of Jesus exposes the duplicity, hypocrisy, one-upmanship, of the kingdoms and empires to which we are supposed to participate in.