The Artemis II space mission was so special. The joy we got from watching this story unfold did not, as we know, solve world hunger or end the war in Iran. But it was a sign for us that humanity is capable of these things, that we have reason to hope for a glorious future we cannot yet imagine. It was a reminder that we have the capacity for clear perspective, for kindness, for creativity and wisdom. It was a reminder that the human spirit is strong and faithful in good times and in bad.

Before Judas kissed Jesus to reveal him to the Roman guards, before he met with them to receive his silver coins, his first act of betrayal, to Christ and to himself, was in getting up and leaving the table. We belong at the table with our friends and family. And when there is disagreement or confusion, when right and wrong seem blurry and God’s call seems obscured, that is where we will find clarity, understanding, and peace. The knowledge and ability to be good and righteous in the world starts there.

Magdala, in Aramaic, means fortress, or tower. Now perhaps, the town of Magdala, where Mary came from, had a fortress of some kind. But Schrader suggests that Mary Magdalene is not named solely for where she comes from, but for who she is. Both Peter and Mary Magdalene confess Jesus as Lord. Peter is the Rock, Mary is the Tower. This is theologically meaningful. It suggests that confessions like these are both the foundation and the pinnacle of our faith. They are our starting point and the culmination of our journey with Christ.

I’m in dire need of some prayer and faithful reflection about the nature of sin as I enter into Lent this year. suppose that’s the point. But I was surprised this week when my doom scrolling was interrupted by an old friend. Eve and her forbidden fruit entered the chat, as the kids say, at the precise moment I needed her, and rarely have I felt more seen.

Of course, slapping on a bumper sticker is easy. It’s much harder to put down our nets to follow Jesus. But that is the real work of faith, of faithfulness to the most important cause we can align ourselves with, the Gospel of Christ. If we could shift even a little of our cultural loyalty and performative identity towards proclaiming Christ crucified, just imagine what we could accomplish.

During our Christmas Eve services here at Christ Church, Kate took a moment in her greetings to welcome our many visitors and also the many familiar faces who had returned home for the holidays. She remarked that it is always joyful to celebrate such a homecoming spirit this time of year. I couldn’t agree more. There’s something in air around Christmastime that taps into our home-going instincts - something deep and spiritual and worthy of our attention, and a great place to start is the book of Jeremiah.

Mary, John the Baptist, and all the new parents of the world have an important message for us in Advent. We, too, are heralds. We proclaim the coming of new ways of life all the time. But we should take care in choosing which tidings we bear, because whatever we help usher into the world, we will become beholden to. Whatever paths we make in the desert, we will have to travel down.