December 14

When John heard in prison what Jesus was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: bodies are restored, illnesses are healed, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.” – from Matthew 11:2-11

Hill Brown, Southern Director, Faith in Harm Reduction

“Your teachers are all around you. All that you perceive, all that you experience, all that is given to you or taken from you, all that you love or hate, need or fear will teach you – if you will learn.” – from Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

 

Are you the one? Is this for real? Can we count on you? Can we trust you and your people? Are you part of building the future where we can all flourish?  Is this the movement we’ve been waiting for? These are the questions John is asking as he longs to be released from prison and holds out hope for the change that is promised and is coming.  Perhaps these are some of the Advent questions that are echoing in our hearts this season as well, in the midst of our expectation and longing for healing and hope and freedom.

Jesus knows that having witnesses share accounts of what they have seen him do is the best way to communicate who he is. The work itself is teaching who Jesus is and how this calling toward love and justice manifests. Jesus’ work in the world is certainly a blessing to those who receive healing, good news, or liberation but in this passage Jesus also notes that those who are “not offended” by him are blessed. John and the disciples are not offended. Those released from bondage and illness and demeaning false narratives are not offended. But there would be no need for Jesus to offer assurance of this blessing if some section of the population didn’t take Jesus’ liberatory work as an affront.

In this moment many are being called to act in ways that will offend those who are attached to existing power structures, structures that are crumbling and passing away. But Jesus reminds us that there is blessing in witnessing and learning from the teachers that are all around us.  There is blessing in leaning into curiosity rather than critique. There is blessing in embracing the many tactics and strategies it will take to bring love to birth in our world.

During this advent season may you be known by what you do in this world and may you be surrounded by people who are not offended by the ways you are working for collective liberation.

 

Prayer

Inhale: The kindom is emerging in our midst.

Exhale: There is blessing in witnessing.