Holding hope.

Holding hope is a practice we are called to work on every day as followers of Jesus.  Right now, we hold hope for the community of Ferguson, Missouri, and for all of us even as we feel the deep pain and suffering of racial inequality. Once again white privilege takes hold of the justice system and the deep gulf between the police and those who are policed is exposed.  This gulf has been formed over generations of discrimination and by a system of justice which is ripe with bias.  Unfortunately this gulf continues to persist, if not widen, which creates suspicion that justice will ever be achieved.   While we long for human systems that will protect and defend those who are in need, we know that followers of Jesus ultimately must put our hope in God.   This week as we move into the season of Advent, we read from the Gospel of Mark.  Mark’s last word in his Gospel is afraid.  But right before he closes it he reminds us “..he is going ahead of you to Galilee, there you will see him, as he told you.”  In the midst of fear, may we find the hope of God’s love coming toward us again this season.  And may the justice we long to meet flow like an overflowing stream as we wait together for the mystery of Christmas.   ~Linda