Faith and Hope This Advent | Moderator's Message

One of the most heart-warming scenes in the scriptures around the birth of Jesus is Mary meeting her cousin Elizabeth. Mary goes out after her an encounter with a message from an angel inviting her to be the mother of God. It is full of action, joy, movement, promise and life.It is hope filled.

 There is also danger, vulnerability and risk about this scene. A young woman heading out across tough and dangerous terrain to visit an aged cousin who is beyond normal childbearing age. 

It is the unborn child in the womb of Elizabeth who recognizes the mother of God. Mary has no home in which to give birth. She and Joseph and baby Jesus will have to flee into Egypt as refugees to escape a decree to put newborn male babies to death. 

Despite this being a high-risk way of bringing a child into the world the heavens are rejoicing over the birth of the prince of peace and savior of the world. There is the juxtaposition of the heaven-sent Jesus, the Word made flesh, bringing hope and joy, and the earthly responses of rejection, hostility and fear. 

God dwells amongst people and places which are both fragile and vulnerable. The church is at her best when she moves out on mission amongst those who are most needy and poor by worldly standards.

I’ve experienced this personally in our ministry alongside the poor in huge cities and remote communities. We do not go out in power or wealth, but instead like Mary, rich in faith that the promise of God will be fulfilled. 

This Christmas season, like Mary and Joseph, take a risk and reach out confident in the leading of the Spirit to bring the joy and peace of Jesus to those broken in spirit in our families, communities and across the world.

Blessings,

Fr Steve Fletcher MGL