Peter's second letter, read at morning prayer today, really expresses most wonderfully the spirituality of 'advent people' which we have looked at this week. As I read and prayed over these words today I was keenly aware that this text has probably been the basis of my own thoughts and beliefs about which I have written lately.

Peter begins by saying the day will come like a thief in the night. The obvious reference to Jesus' own words are a reminder that there is an unknown quality to the end. In every age the (evil) behaviors and the (stressful) conditions are present which make it a possibility that "this is it." However, even if possible, the actual event will come quickly and at a time we do not expect.

The judgment will be consumptive. Peter uses the image of destructive fire which will lay all things bare. God's piercing glance will see all and know all. The use of fire reminds one of the concept of purging purification/judgment after death embraced by some Christians.

Peter then provides a rhetorical question which very much demands an answer: Since everything is going to be burned up and destroyed, how then should we live? In our own times the word "perspective" is used to summarize this question. Keeping things in perspective means to measure the value of things. Peter asks us if we are using all our energies to pursue things which are destined to pass away. One hears echoes of Isaiah's lament, "Why work for food that does not satisfy? for drink which does not quench thirst?"

He then provides his answer in the form of an exhortation: you ought to live godly and holy lives. That is the advent spirituality. The holy and godly life puts us at odds with the natural inclinations which dictate most of our values and behaviors. To be shaped by God values is to be transformed.

Peter says such a way of life directs our attention to "that day" when God establishes His reign. More interesting, to me, is Peter says it will also speed its coming. The Greek word means to long for and to speed. Translations made by experts translate it either way. One choice is the word 'hasten' which can contain both senses. I often say (because I believe) that the Lord is waiting until the earth reaches critical mass in its desire for the Kingdom. This may be wrong. Many would say I am an idiot to claim such a thing. Yet, I do think there is a theme of God drawing near to those who long for Him and withdrawing from those who do not. Is it not possible that the church's role in the world is to cry out "Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!"? That word, maranatha, is Aramaic and is found in the first language of the church. The words were probably the initial prayer of the first believers. They longed for Jesus (friend, teacher, rabbi, Master, Lord) from a position of intimacy. We are numbered among those second generation Christians who (somewhere in the Bible) are told, "though you do not know Him, you love Him." We have a "faith like" theirs, without the initial enfleshed companionship which they enjoyed.

The Advent spirituality is a church, united in hunger for the Lord, aware of the limits of this world and its destiny, aware of the kind of people that they need to be. It is a holy church and godly. It cries out for the Kingdom and in its prayer and its actions it not only longs for, but actually motivates the coming of the Kingdom. Such a church is needed in dark times. It is the perfect church for today!