Since there is no knowing when, we simply have to be always ready. Be awake to the presence of God even in the midst of the disasters; know that the promises hold even in the midst of war and suffering and be ready for the in-breaking of the kingdom, for the arrival of Jesus.

It happened before. It’s happening now. It will happen again. And, one day, it will happen finally.

We all want to be seen with the eyes of Jesus – are we prepared to look with them, too?

The aftermath of disaster, faced honestly and in the presence of God, is renewal. Now, I’m not saying that disaster is the only way to renewal and so should be welcomed with open arms. And I’m not saying that the renewal necessarily makes the disaster “worth it” or erases the harm and the hurt caused by the disaster. As with much of life, we need to hold two true things in tension together: disaster is terrible AND good can follow from it.

Luke tells us that the parable of the persistent widow is about the need to pray always and not lose heart. Perhaps it is not only about when to pray but also about how to pray.

Thanksgiving is not always easy – indeed, it may never be easy, either because we don’t feel we have much to be thankful for or because we have come to take what we have for granted – but thanksgiving is always life-giving; calling our attention beyond our circumstances, whatever they may be, and directing our gaze to God.

I’ve always thought of this story asLuke’s version of “A Christmas Carol” except that Luke, it would seem, is much less patient than Charles Dickens.

This sermon included a time of conversation as folks shared their stories of people who helped them see God and God’s way with new clarity. We reflected on three questions, paraphrased below: Who has been a shining light in your life?What insight or example did they provide you?How has their light continued to shape your life?

Fortunately for all of humanity, God’s forgiveness is not contingent on us in any way.