Singing Mary’s Song Session 3
Today we’re going to talk about two aspects of Advent –decreasing and withdrawing from our usual lives in order to reflect as we use this season to prepare for God’s growth in our lives.
First, the idea of decreasing so that God can increase in us.
Today’s gospel is about John the Baptist—and he proclaims that “the one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.
John Stroman, the writer of the book Singing Mary’s Song points out that Advent is a season in which we work on decreasing, so that we can prepare for God to increase in us. He provides a list of ways to decrease in our lives from Walter Brueggemann, one of today’s authorities on scripture.
The connection with Mary is that she also had to step aside as the parent of Jesus and to give him authority. When the wine ran out at the wedding feast, Mary ended up simply saying to the servants, “Do as Jesus tells you.”
Here’s the list from Bruggemann’s book, The Threat of life: Sermons on Pain, Power and Weakness, page 68. Let’s spend some time thinking about how we might decrease in these areas in our own lives, and also in our culture as a whole.
Decrease what is greedy, what is frantic consumerism, for the increase of simple, life-giving sharing.
Decrease what is fearful and defensive, for the increase of life-giving compassion and generosity.
Decrease what is fraudulent and pretense, for the increase of life-giving truth telling in your life, truth telling about you and your neighbor.
Decrease what is hateful and alienating, for the increase of healing and forgiveness, which finally are the only source of life.
(Discuss as a whole group? Divide into smaller groups?)
What particular areas in your life do you need to decrease?
Advent is also a time for withdrawal and reflection as we prepare for Jesus’ birth. Women clergy in the diocese came together on Wednesday for a time of reflection at Rosslyn. I’m going to be at the seminary tomorrow for the Quiet Day, a day set aside in the busy schedule of seminary life for quiet and reflection.
In Matthew’s gospel, we hear the story of Mary, Joseph and the baby fleeing into Egypt. Stroman feels that this flight was not only to get out of danger, but also to carry the family into a time of reflection. Scripture doesn’t indicate this, but I think it’s probably true that Mary and Joseph did spend time reflecting on all that had happened.
Getting away is not always easy. Let’s look at these two pieces of art. Some of you have seen this seriograph of John August Swanson from our Advent program last year.
And here’s a painting by Joseph Tissot, who was painting in the 1880’s.
What differences do you see in these two pieces? And what do they have to say to you about our journeys away from what we know into the unknown?
What are some ways that you might find to withdraw and reflect during this Advent season?
Which of these pieces of art do you prefer and why?