FROM THE PULPIT: TOMMY, ARTSENIUS AND JESUS

What do the rock opera, "Tommy," and the fourth-century Christian monk Arsenius have in common?

Tommy is the story of a boy who witnessed a terrible crime, and was thereby induced to be blind, deaf, and dumb. He was cured only many years later by a doctor who discovered that his eyes, and ears worked, but there was a short in his system whereby the messages to his brain couldn't get through. By using a mirror as a part of his therapy, Tommy was made "aware."

Arsenius prayed, while living in Rome, "Lord, show me the way of salvation." He was told, "Flee to the desert." Once there, Arsenius prayed again, "Lord, show me the way of salvation." The Lord answered, "Flee, be silent, and pray always, for these are the sources of sinlessness." Arsenius practiced solitude, silence, and prayer, and became a leading Christian in his day.

Advent is a time of preparation. We don't only prepare for the observance of Christmas Day, although that is part of it. But just as surely as Christ came once to this earth as a baby in Bethlehem, so also he will return as Lord and King. (Acts 1:11, Matthew 24:30-31) We really need to be preparing for Christ's return to earth!

Tommy and Arsenius show that at least a part of the way of salvation is found in silence. "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10) "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me." (John 10:27) Very simply, in today's world of many words and much busy-ness, are we still long enough to hear God's voice, much less to follow when he calls? An important part of prayer is listening.

This advent season, may we enter the stillness of our hearts and prepare room for Christ there.