The Arrival

28th November 21

Gospel Reading: ​Luke 21 :25- 36

Dear Community of Christians,

Adventus in Latin is translated Arrival. Could it be also said: the coming? Coming could mean a new day, a new chance, a new guest arriving, because it is expected.

But it could also mean bad news, an uninvited guest, or even trouble is coming our way. Of the first we have a clear knowledge; the second we suspect, or are fearful of. Both have to do with the certainty it will come towards us. Who puts the obscuring veil over the unexpected part of what is coming? Is it our consciousness itself that is not ready to see the reality of the world or fails to take seriously enough?

Our Gospel reading in Advent has an apocalyptic character. The text points to the signs that should make us aware of the apocalyptic character of our time. Do we have a clear awareness of these signs by now?

Within the human being, the fear of death is a clear sign of our distance and our lack of understanding of the working of the cosmos.

Within society, we find the sign of unquestioning followers to material laws; that ignore the working of the spiritual. These facts must be accepted.

What remains as a task is to connect with the spiritual world again and again on a personal level. To find where the spirituality shines in small things, and in the community between people, and thus gives strength and security. And everything that than comes towards us, bad or good, can be welcomed.

Rev. Ute Koenig