Week OneDecember 1, 2022HopePsalm 72:1–7, 18–19May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon throughout all generations. Psalm 72:5What if we had a powerful leader who established justice, prosperity, and conditions for righteousness to flourish for all generations? The psalmist imagines an advocate who endures as long as the sun, as long as the moon. I share the profound longing for someone who would defend the afflicted and save the children of the needy. But I cannot muster much real hope for those possibilities. What does hope mean after we realize that the sun and the moon will endure beyond all human dreams?The James Webb telescope is gifting our world with images that unite us in wonder beyond national borders. Photographs from the telescope include galaxies whose light took billions of years to reach us. Scientists say we are looking back in time as we see these images. My mind staggers as I try to comprehend the implications. If images travel through time, or our gaze defies time this way, how could our concept of hope change?In an expanding, everchanging pluriverse, I find assurance that the love, compassion, and justice of the Holy endures beyond space and time. I can understand people who want a powerful figure to deliver us all from tribulations. My hope in this season of Advent and this season of human history is that we follow the stars to allow ourselves to be led by beauty and wonder. Blinded by the light of day in so many ways, we are often oblivious to infinite possibility surrounding us all. Continuing to search motivated by our longing is an act that manifests hope.Dr. Kathy McCallieAssociate Professor of Ministerial Leadership and Ethics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.