Waiting Expectantly – Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me; holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. (Luke 1: 46-53)
After spending twelve years abroad, I returned to Guyana with a sense of joy in new expectations and new possibilities in life. I journeyed back to my home country expectantly, rediscovering myself in this community I know as home. Homecoming has been challenging and has brought on a reordering of my life as I return to parish ministry, connecting closely with the daily struggles of people, sharing in their hope for a new day, when justice, peace and love will reign. Homecoming has also further broadened my horizons, positioning me to have a glimpse of signs of new beginnings in the movements for justice and peace, such as the People’s Parliament, campaigns to end violence against women, community support systems for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, sharing food and other basic necessities to alleviate the hardship that people are facing.
The Advent journey and Christmas message are significant for a hurting society where violence against women and children is rampant; where poverty has intensified, leaving many people hungry as the rich get richer, and where a moral crisis is eating away at the heart of the Guyanese society. So what does it mean that the Word became flesh and moved into our neighborhood, community, family, church and nation? What are implications for us?
During Advent we reflect on how God erupted into history with good news of peace, hope, joy and love that will change the world forever. The Prophet Isaiah declares that something new is happening: “In days to come the mountains of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains. (Isa 2:2) This is not simply a vision for the end times but one which speaks of today’s radical transformation and reordering, as God continues to erupt in the world and in our lives, reordering our routines, communities and nations. And we wait expectantly for new possibilities in these troubled times when so much is at stake.
The Coming of the Messiah brings hope for liberation of all who are oppressed, healing of all diseases, restoring sight to the blind and light in darkness. It points us to the beginning of a complete turnaround in life, a reordering and reshaping of the world and of our lives. In the new order, the poor shall be lifted up, and the arrogant be brought low; the first shall be last; and the hungry fed. The faithful shall become as little children and the meek shall inherit the earth. The peacemakers shall be blessed, living as God’s daughters and sons. Swords shall be beaten into plowshares, and spears into pruning hooks. Nations shall not learn war anymore; they shall no longer lift up weapons against one another. (Lk 1:46- 55, Isa 2:4) Mary, a young single pregnant woman embraced this fascinating vision of God’s turnaround, as she affirms the revolutionary God who reorders the conditions of life – transforming our world and our lives.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. draws on this vision and the prophecies of the Old Testament. In his final Christmas sermon on Christmas Eve, 1967, Dr. King preached eloquently and passionately about his dream for the transformation of society and reshaping of life where “men [and women] will rise up and come to see that they are made to live together as brothers [and sisters].” He envisioned a reordering of the American society which would see a great turnaround of a nation no longer marked by racial and economic injustice and militaristic proliferation but by peace and love, justice and mercy, and racial equality and restoration of relationships. This Advent we are invited to share in this dream:
… that with this faith we will be able to adjourn the councils of despair and bring new light into the dark chambers of pessimism. With this faith we will be able to speed up the day when there will be peace on earth and goodwill toward [all]. It will be a glorious day, the morning stars will sing together, and the [children] of God will shout for joy. (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. December 24, 1967)
We are called to participate in this prophetic anticipation of that great day which moves us from a self-serving Christianity to a profound movement for peace with justice. This requires us to get out of our comfort zones of chapels and pews, offices, couches and the passive complacency with which we live our lives, many times as bystanders in a hurting society. We are required to go to the places of the castaways and disposables where people cry out for life and hope. Let us share with them the good news of the Coming of the Messiah who makes all things new. Glory to God and Peace on Earth!
The Rev. Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth is the Minister of the East Demerara Parish of the Guyana Presbyterian Church. Formerly, she served as Program Executive for Justice and Partnership of the World Communion of Reformed Churches.