St. James Episcopal Church
 1170 Broadway
 Somerville, MA 02144
 (617) 666-1063

The Parson's Letter
December, 2007

Ushering in the Kingdom of God

One of the ways we prepare for a great event is to begin to live into it; that is, to envision what it will be like. Mary and Elizabeth, the two cousins, both unexpectedly pregnant, embrace the joy and fulfillment that can only be found within while seeking God in others. Like them, we can embrace life as sacred time to be lived in search of the Holy rather than the ephemeral and mundane. We can say “Yes” to God’s plan for us as we sing God’s song in all the places we go.

Like Mary, who prepared for the trip to see her cousin, all of our preparations during Advent in readiness for Christmas mark it as a special time to think upon God’s plan. It is a time for us to be with friends and loved ones. But it is also a time to think of those who have no one to call their own, or no one to think of them: the last, the lost, and the least.

Our vocation as people of faith is to help prepare the way of the Lord. When we do that we are really saying that we care about life and that we are helping to build the kingdom of God. God’s kingdom is built in very small, incremental ways.

In this life, we say there’s too much poverty; too many are homeless; too many people are hungry. Those are problems we can’t solve; but we can do our part by making places for God. We can help make the rough places smooth by making a difference in people’s lives today. If by what we do, someone is warm, has a hot meal, or hears a healing word, we have made a significant difference in that person’s life.

The wonderful seventeenth century poet and priest, George Herbert, wrote, “There is nothing little in God’s service.” Northing is small or insignificant. Many of us remember a time in our youth when we used to sing about this in very sweet and sentimental songs like, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” Sentimental perhaps, but solid theology.

The good news as we stand and wait along with Mary and Elizabeth this Advent is that we do not have to stand by waiting for the kingdom of God. We can help usher in its fulfillment with those small acts of generosity and kindness. Those acts are the building blocks of God’s Kingdom.

Blessings and much joy in this holy season,

The Rev. Michael Dudley
Priest-in-Residence