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A Call to Patience and Inner Peace

December 14, 2025

Isaiah 35:1-10|Psalm 146:4-9 or Canticle 3 or 15| James 5:7-10|Matthew 11:2-11

Advent is a season of wonder and mystery that deeply touches our souls.  We must patiently wait for Jesus’ birth and Jesus’ return.  Many important questions arise, such as what will the kingdom of God be like when Jesus comes?  And what should we do while we are waiting?

Today’s readings tell us that the kingdom of God is near and speak to the question of what is the kingdom of God like. According to Isaiah, “…the redeemed shall walk there.¹⁰And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 35:9-10)

Who would not want everlasting joy and gladness with no more sorrow and sighing?

And Mary says,

“He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
   and has lifted up the lowly. 
He has filled the hungry with good things,
   and the rich he has sent away empty.” (Luke 1:52-53)

An image of the world in which the last shall be first.  This would be well worth waiting for.

And James admonishes us, “Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. ⁸You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. ⁹Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged.” (James 5:7-9)

We must be patient!

And in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells John the Baptist’s disciples: “’Go and tell John what you hear and see: ⁵the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. ⁶And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.’” (Matthew 11:4-6)

Jesus is truly Lord!

In his second letter, Peter wrote, “Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.  The patience of our Lord represents our Lord’s patience in waiting for all to come to repentance so that none may perish (2 Peter 3:14-15).  The Lord is patient with us to reach repentance as we in turn are patient with the Lord as we wait for Jesus to fill our hearts.

Strive to repent and be at peace!

I take these readings to be a clarion call to be patient and at peace.  This is a very tall order in our world of imperfection and urgency. This is why Advent is a season for prayer, meditation, and reflection.  I invite anyone to join us for Morning Prayer in the Godly play area of the church Wednesday through Friday at 8:30 am.

In patience and peaceful humility,

Trish Morokoff