Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)

December 23   Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)  -- Systems and Structures

The music reverberating in my head sometimes makes me forget that the anticipation of the Messiah's coming throughout the Old Testament was in the context of oppression and injustice. Folks were longing for redemption from the systemic evil of empires and the tyrants who governed them. Anticipation focused on a Messiah who would “scatter the proud, bring down the powerful, fill the hungry” and bring peace, justice and righteousness to the world.

Advent is the time when we can pause to become aware of the systems and structures that our own society has put in place to marginalize, to oppress, to destroy creation, to dominate by force.  For example, the high cost of housing in Madison means that we have many families where both parents are working AND the family is homeless.  I think about how my wonderful downtown condo has contributed to that reality.  How can we create a system that enables Madison both to enjoy the economic benefits of gentrification AND ensure that low income folks have access to safe, affordable housing?  Advent is our time to ask God to send people and situations into our lives who will challenge us to become aware of the systematic injustice and oppression that exist in our neighborhood, and who will challenge us to look for the root causes of those systems.  What better preparation could we undertake as we wait for the coming of Jesus who will stretch our categories, challenge our models and assumptions, and most importantly, our call us to radical compassion.