Friday, December 19, 2014

Friday, December 19, 2014 (Ember Day)  

John 5:30-47

The Advent Ember Days – the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday before the Fourth (and last) Sunday of Advent - were traditionally observed as days of fasting and prayer.  While in most branches of the Christian Church they have fallen out of common usage, they might still be seen as helpful moments of reflection in the midst of the busy commercial lead-up to the Christmas celebration.  The fasting stipulation, as well, might be a good discipline to use in preparing for the often excessive holiday consumption of food and drink.

The reading from John’s Gospel reflects an Advent theme, as it speaks of John the Baptizer and his relationship to Jesus. The narration of these verses takes place in Jerusalem, and during a festival.  Jesus has encountered a man who had been ill for thirty-eight years, without having been able to avail himself of the healing waters of the Pool of Siloam.  Jesus healed him of this ailment immediately, and he did this on the Sabbath, a day on which any type of labour was prohibited.  When the Temple authorities heard of this misstep, they accosted Jesus, who responded to their persecution with the words we read today.  Jesus points out that his calling and his ministry, as well as his intimate relationship with God, have been attested to by others – particularly John, who proclaimed his coming in the Judean wilderness. He describes John as a “burning and shining lamp”, and adds that they were happy to bask in John’s light – his message – for a time.

We, too, long for light.  I particularly look forward to this coming Sunday, December 21, not because it is the first day of winter, but because from this time up to the summer solstice, the daylight hours will become longer and longer.  We will experience increasing physical light in our day-to-day lives.  As we come to the end of this Advent season, and await that celebration, and the gift of spiritual light that Jesus’ coming brings, may we give thanks for this light, and may we also be encouraged to share this light to all around us.

- Rev'd Paul Kett