Egrets

eye on their next mouthful and the other on possible danger. Mhebwe (antelopes) are just as watchful on a 24 hour alert to danger. In fact, few animals or birds can take time off from the ever present threat of predators. Fear keeps them alive. Tame them, domesticate them, and their senses become blunted and dulled. Zhang Dang, a giant Chinese panda, reared in captivity – and comfort – died recently after being released into the wild.
One of the most unlikely Advent readings from Isaiah speaks of the wolf living with the lamb,
the panther lies down with the kid,
calf and lion cub feed together
with a little boy to lead them.
The cow and the bear make friends,
and their young lie down together.
Isaiah 11:6
What is this all about? It is a text associated with the coming of the Messiah and the inauguration of universal peace which is described in poetic language, which is not to say it is a fantasy, a children’s story. There is an announcement here, a message that will be taken up later when the Messiah comes and John writes in his letter that, ‘fear is driven out by perfect love’ (I John 4:18). Even in the animal world there is a promise of some kind of universal peace, though for carnivores it is a little hard to see how it will work. But the image prods our imagination. We are not supposed to live in fear and be forever worrying where danger will come from next. Yet that is how we live today in our society where there is little security and we hear of people sick with worry about their families.
John the Baptist’s task was to shake people and he did it with relish: ‘Brood of vipers, who warned you to fly from the retribution that is coming? (Luke 3:7). He put the fear of God into them and had them ask, ‘what must we do then?’ Share, he said, while you still have time, share your privileges, your power and money with those who have nothing. The Baptist ploughed and harrowed so that others could come and sow forgiveness and peace. We have harrowing experiences and much fear in our country today. This is not supposed to be the way to live. We have no mandate to live like animals. It is time now to move beyond fear.