Moral Monday Post for Monday November 28, 2020
“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” Mark 13:32-37
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus tells his followers to keep awake – keep alert for the coming of the son of Man. Advent is a time for looking back at the birth of Jesus at the same time waiting for Jesus to return. We are called to keep awake and keep alert for the second coming of Jesus.
How do we spend our time waiting and watching? For many of us this advent season it means putting up a Christmas tree, our favorite nativity set, watching Christmas specials on TV, baking cookies and buying presents for family and friends.
These past several months our lives have been dictated by Covid-19 which may not allow us to celebrate with extended family and friends. We mourn the loss of these connections and some of our treasured traditions. However, we also need to keep alert to what is happening to others in the Kingdom of God during this pandemic:
For adults and with family incomes below $50,000, unemployment rates more than doubled.
Poor and low-income adults have fewer chances to work from home.
One in ten poor and low income renters reported they are somewhat or very likely to face eviction in the next two months
13 Million people with incomes under $50,000, nearly 1 in 5 adults, are food insecure
Black and Latinx people were over 2x as likely as white people to be food insecure.
Nearly 12 million people have lost their employer sponsored health insurance since the start of the pandemic
What does this mean? We keep alert to public policies that help perpetuate poverty, food insecurity and homelessness and call on your legislators to make changes. Instead of buying presents, donate to your local food Hub. Keep alert for people in your communities that need financial help. Don’t know how to help? Consider donating gift cards to St. Peter’s for distribution among those in need. Above all- keep alert, not only in Advent, but all through the year.
Let us pray:
Good and Gracious God, we give you thanks for our homes, for food, for having our basic needs met. Help us to be alert to those around us who do not have enough food, a home, those who are unemployed and need financial assistance. We are your hands, feet and voice- breathe into us your spirit to support all people in need because we are all members of your kingdom. Amen.
