Fighting for Cities Yet To Be Built

Devotional Reflection, Monday, December 4, 2023 Monday of the first week of Advent

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Phrases for reflection from today’s Gospel reading

4This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, 5‘Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’. . . 7they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.Or Most of the crowdb 9The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’

You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.

Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, p. 937)

AM Psalm 1, 2, 3; PM Psalm 4, 7

Amos 2:6-16; 2 Pet. 1:1-11; Matt. 21:1-11

Today we celebrate the Feast of John of Damascus. (See below.)

David's Reflections

Eric Hofer, the sociologist once wrote: "In all ages, (people) men have fought most desperately for beautiful cities yet to be built and gardens yet to be planted."* Today's Gospel brought that statement to mind. Jesus chose to enter Jerusalem in a unique fashion. He was arriving for the pilgrim feast of Passover, a celebration that gorged the city with pilgrims from the entire Mediterranean basin.

Expectations brewed hot at Passover for another deliverance from oppression, deliverance similar to that of Moses and the Israelites from slavery in Egypt or akin to King David's securing freedom from the oppression of the Philistines. Speculation had it that Jesus might be the next deliverer, the one who would rally the disparate segments of Judaism to throw off the Roman yoke. At the least he was seen as a prophet whose ministry might restore Judah's fortunes (see verse 11 below).

Jesus chose to act out a different message, to give the people an acted parable. The prophets, especially Jeremiah and Ezekiel would sometimes act out their message. His cleansing of the Temple and the cursing of the fig tree can be understood as acted parables, prophetic messages acted out.Zechariah 14 predicted the coming of a king of David's line who would rule in peace and gentleness. That king would ride to his coronation on a donkey's back.

What a vivid way to act out his message. Jesus did come to deliver his people, but his deliverance would not be achieved by military means. Rather, he would bring freedom from evil and death and would work healing and transformation and forgiveness. And, he would not do so with coercive might; rather, he would win faith and loyalty by noncoercive love. G. B. Caird, commenting on Jesus’ triumph through the cross says, “. . .the victories of God over all the forces in the universe which are resistant to his will are to be won, not by the thunderbolts of coercive might, but by the persuasive constraints of self-sacrificing love."+

How does Jesus come to us in this Advent season? This prophetic parable says that we have nothing to fear, that Jesus does not intimidate, he does not coerce. He comes in humility, gently drawing us with the cords of love. We can open our lives and be emotionally and spiritually safe. He will know exactly how to bring his saving and healing touch to bear; we can trust him.

Jesus will fight for cities yet to be built and gardens yet to be planted in our lives and in our world, and he will do so with the weapons of sacrifice, wisdom, and gentle love. We have the joyful opportunity to join in that fight by our worship, witness, advocacy, and service. Our fighting for others and for a better world must employ those same strategies of noncoercive power.

*Eric Hofer, The True Believer (New York: Harper, 1950), p. 73.

+G. B. Caird, The Language and Imagery of the Bible (London: Duckworth, 1980), p. 242.

©David W. Perkins, 2023

Collect of the Day, the First Sunday of Advent

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 211)

Today we celebrate the Feast of John of Damascus, hymn writer, defender of icons (died 4 Dec 750 CE). http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/John_Damascus.htm

Collect of the Feast of John of Damascus

Confirm our minds, O Lord, in the mysteries of the true faith, set forth with power by your servant John of Damascus; that we, with him, confessing Jesus to be true God and true Man, and singing the praises of the risen Lord, may, by the power of the resurrection, attain to eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for evermore. Amen.

A Collect for the Renewal of Life

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 99)

Of the Incarnation

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 252)

In the Evening

O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen. (BCP, 833)

A Collect for Mission

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100, 257)

Daily Office Gospel, Matthew 21:1-11

21:1When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, just say this, “The Lord needs them.” And he will send them immediately.’Or 'The Lord needs them and will send them back immediately.'a 4This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, 5‘Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ 6The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.Or Most of the crowdb 9The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ 10When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ 11The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’

Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer

Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer

Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer

Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer

Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer

Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer