Opening Frames
When I go to the theater to see a movie, I’m often curious to see what is chosen as the opening scene. It tends to set a tone that the storyteller wants to begin with.
One of the most iconic and well known movie openings is in “Saturday Night Fever,” where we see John Travolta’s feet in a pair of disco pants walking down a New York street, perfectly in sync with the Bee Gee’s “Stayin’ Alive”. Without a word, we get the image of someone navigating the streets of the city – the hard knocks of life – by riding on music and dance.
James Bond movies are also known for their openings, often Bond completing some wild mission through amazing daring and skill. We are presented with the image of a man who is a master of any situation, skilled at whatever is needed, and can always find his way out.
Likewise, I’m intrigued by the openings of the Gospels, the stories of the life of Jesus that we have in the Bible. Mark (which we will be reading for most of the coming year) begins by presenting us with John the Baptist and quoting from Isaiah 40. Isaiah 40 tells that the time has come and God will now rescue and redeem his people, following a time of captivity and exile, often referred to as the Babylonian captivity. Mark’s audience would know this history and would make the connection, even unconsciously, that we are embarking on a story of rescue and redemption. God is at work, here and now!
And that is the message of Advent. God is at work. Not just in the past, or in some distant future, but here and now. Do you see it? Can you feel it? Praye that this Advent, God would give you the eyes to see and heart to know that he is at work!
This column appeared in the December 10, 2023 edition of St. John’s eNews. Click here for the complete issue.
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