A MESSAGE FROM REV. KAREN KINNEY: IS IT WORTH IT?
Grace and peace to you,
This Second Sunday of Advent, we again explore hope and fear from the perspective of John the Baptist – not the John of the wilderness, but the John who sits in prison put there by Herod of Antipas (one of last week’s King Herod’s sons).
Here is a snippet from Matthew 11: When John 
heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” (verses 2-6).
Notice that Jesus doesn’t mention that captives will be freed from prison! What must John have felt not hearing those words? Was John’s own ministry worth the risks he took, worth him sitting in prison? Was Jesus’ ministry worth it, knowing he ended up crucified? Are any of our good works worth it, if we don’t see the results in our own lifetimes?
These are questions I have pondered over the last five decades of my life as I think about my own ministry and actions trying to make my corner of the world a better place to live. Has it been worth it? My answer sometimes depends on the day – but should it? Does what we do in the name of Love make a difference? Do we fear that it doesn’t, while at the same time hoping it does?
Come and explore those questions in community this Sunday. Come and see. Come and be.
Blessings,
Pastor Karen