On the first week of Advent we light the Hope Candle. We are invited to Hope in the coming of Christ... But, Hope is not passive; it calls for our attention. Isaiah’s vision of swords into plowshares requires us to "walk in the light of the Lord" — not a soft image, but one that disrupts our violence. For Matthew, divine timing is placed in this image of a thief in the night. Why a negative vision for the hope that we have? How is Matthews invitation one that calls us not towards a passive hope, but one that invites us towards wakefulness?

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Acts 4:32-5:11 contrasts two responses to the Spirit-filled community. The believers live in radical unity, sharing possessions so no one is in need. Barnabas is highlighted for his generosity. In contrast, Ananias and Sapphira secretly withhold part of a sale of their property while pretending full generosity. When confronted by Peter, both lie and fall dead, causing great fear in the community. Whose story is this actually? As modern readers coming to this story do we miss the "justice" of sorts the first hearers may have heard?

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Acts 4:23-31 describes the believers’ response after Peter and John are released. They gather with the community, pray together, and affirm God's sovereignty. They ask not for safety, but for boldness to continue speaking God’s word and for God to heal and perform signs through Jesus’ name. Their prayer is answered immediately—the place shakes, they are filled with the Holy Spirit, and they speak with boldness.

What a fascinating reality--in the midst of a seemingly dangerous situation where John and Peter only narrowly escape persecution the believers pray not for their safety--but for their commitment towards their mission. They pray for courage and are met with the Holy Spirit not dissimilar to the story we see in Acts 2.

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