Grantchester's Warning

"But know this:

if the owner of the house had known

at what hour the thief was coming,

the owner would not have let his house be broken into.

You also must be ready, for the Son of Man

is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

(from Luke 12:32-40)

I regularly watch Grantchester; a murder mystery set in 1950s England.

The main characters are a local detective and an Anglican priest who, as a team, solve mysteries set in the town.

Two aspects of Grantchester impress me.

First, the simplicity of the 1950’s police communications done by a landline phone and not cell phone.

Second, the simplicity of daily life with little television and fewer possessions allowing the characters to focus on their vocation of detective and priest.

This simplicity is more than a nostalgic return to the “good old days”.

Instead, it’s a Shaker type of simplicity where austerity allows freedom from distractions to focus on worship and community.

Today’s distraction-filled world has seemingly countless activities demanding our attention such as social obligations and children's school programs.

Jesus calls us beyond this distraction-filled lifestyle to a focused vocation prioritizing God-centered actions such as healing, justice, love, grace, peace.

This isn’t easy.

That’s why Jesus reminds the disciples, and us, that God has given everything necessary so we do not need to be afraid.

We have been given the gifts life and creation, eternal life, the Holy Spirit in Baptism, and Christ’s body and blood in communion.

With these gifts, when Jesus arrives at the “unexpected hour”, we will be dressed ready for service with our lamps lit.

Holy Communion is the reminder for me that God loves me as I focus on the God-centered action of justice.

Holy Communion for me is the unshakable treasure in heaven so I don’t need to be afraid as I work on my actions of justice.