Today's Scripture Readings
Jeremiah 33:14-16 (NRSV)
Psalm 25 (BCP., p. 614).
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 (NRSV)
Luke 21: 25-36 (NRSV)
Blog Reflection
Every person in every place experiences a change of the seasons. In Fr. Albert Holtz, OSB's book: From Holidays to Holy Days: A Benedictine Walk through Advent, he writes that the Greek word for season is kairos. We are now in the kairos the Season of Advent. The kairos of the Reign of God that is already here, but not yet. The word kairos can also be understood as an "opportunity." Holtz makes the point that every moment of every day is it's own kairos. An opportunity to enter into a deeper relationship with God and others around us.
Advent is a fantastic kairos to examine our priorities. Are we so set on getting that perfect gift for or from someone that we forget that Christmas is about the birth of Christ who came to redeem the world? Are we so busy planning holiday parties and attending a play of The Christmas Carol or the Nutcracker Suite for a little culture, but take no time to change the culture of injustice, oppression and prejudice in ourselves and communities? Are we patting ourselves on the back for helping to serve Christmas dinner at a soup kitchen, but we do not do anything about addressing the widespread poverty that is right outside our doors?
The reign of God is already here. We celebrate the memory that Christ already came into this world as a baby, and through his life, death and resurrection opened a new way to salvation in God. Jesus brought that change of God interacting with people who were marginalized by political, religious and social structures designed to keep the powerful and the helpless worlds apart. God drew closer to those stigmatized and gave them the power to be lifted up and fed with "the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (1 Cor. 5:8), while "casting down the mighty from their thrones" (Luke 1: 52). Those who filled their lives with self righteousness through external practices of piety without observing justice, mercy and good faith, found themselves as "the rich sent away empty" (Luke 1:53).
However, the reign of God is not yet here. We still live in a world where the wealthy are exploiting the poor, lonely, the aged and the sick. We are horrible stewards of God's creation as we continue to pollute the air, water and destroy the forests and wet lands, while plummeting cultures that neither want or need us there. Women, LGBT, Native Americans, Jewish people, Muslims and many others are still second class citizens. In Uganda, LGBT people face the possibility of a bill being passed that will put them in prison, just because of who they are, and false information about them spreading because of the false witness of American evangelical missionaries.
In our celebrations of Advent, we have that kairos to pray and discern how we can help advance the arrival of the reign of God in our lives and communities. The season of understanding how much God really loves us, and calls upon us to love God present in others, is now upon us. It is a story that is connected to our history and continues to be reborn through the faith, compassion and witness of people who see places where the reign of God has yet to take root and become a garden of many beautiful colors.
One of those places where God's reign needs more room to be reborn, is within each of us. We can all take just a few extra minutes a day to give thanks to God for all that we are so fortunate to have. We can also begin to take a look at our own attitudes and what might be one thing that we can address this Advent. We can also take notice around us of who is hurting and in need of our concern and/or assistance. There is always a place and a kairos for us to bring God's reign closer to ourselves and to others.
May we take time this Advent to look for that kairos and discern how to bring God's reign that is already here, but not yet, just a little bit closer to change the world for the better.
Amen.
Prayers
Jeremiah 33:14-16 (NRSV)
The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness."
Psalm 25 (BCP., p. 614).
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 (NRSV)
How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.
Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Luke 21: 25-36 (NRSV)
Jesus said, "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
Blog Reflection
Every person in every place experiences a change of the seasons. In Fr. Albert Holtz, OSB's book: From Holidays to Holy Days: A Benedictine Walk through Advent, he writes that the Greek word for season is kairos. We are now in the kairos the Season of Advent. The kairos of the Reign of God that is already here, but not yet. The word kairos can also be understood as an "opportunity." Holtz makes the point that every moment of every day is it's own kairos. An opportunity to enter into a deeper relationship with God and others around us.
Advent is a fantastic kairos to examine our priorities. Are we so set on getting that perfect gift for or from someone that we forget that Christmas is about the birth of Christ who came to redeem the world? Are we so busy planning holiday parties and attending a play of The Christmas Carol or the Nutcracker Suite for a little culture, but take no time to change the culture of injustice, oppression and prejudice in ourselves and communities? Are we patting ourselves on the back for helping to serve Christmas dinner at a soup kitchen, but we do not do anything about addressing the widespread poverty that is right outside our doors?
The reign of God is already here. We celebrate the memory that Christ already came into this world as a baby, and through his life, death and resurrection opened a new way to salvation in God. Jesus brought that change of God interacting with people who were marginalized by political, religious and social structures designed to keep the powerful and the helpless worlds apart. God drew closer to those stigmatized and gave them the power to be lifted up and fed with "the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (1 Cor. 5:8), while "casting down the mighty from their thrones" (Luke 1: 52). Those who filled their lives with self righteousness through external practices of piety without observing justice, mercy and good faith, found themselves as "the rich sent away empty" (Luke 1:53).
However, the reign of God is not yet here. We still live in a world where the wealthy are exploiting the poor, lonely, the aged and the sick. We are horrible stewards of God's creation as we continue to pollute the air, water and destroy the forests and wet lands, while plummeting cultures that neither want or need us there. Women, LGBT, Native Americans, Jewish people, Muslims and many others are still second class citizens. In Uganda, LGBT people face the possibility of a bill being passed that will put them in prison, just because of who they are, and false information about them spreading because of the false witness of American evangelical missionaries.
In our celebrations of Advent, we have that kairos to pray and discern how we can help advance the arrival of the reign of God in our lives and communities. The season of understanding how much God really loves us, and calls upon us to love God present in others, is now upon us. It is a story that is connected to our history and continues to be reborn through the faith, compassion and witness of people who see places where the reign of God has yet to take root and become a garden of many beautiful colors.
One of those places where God's reign needs more room to be reborn, is within each of us. We can all take just a few extra minutes a day to give thanks to God for all that we are so fortunate to have. We can also begin to take a look at our own attitudes and what might be one thing that we can address this Advent. We can also take notice around us of who is hurting and in need of our concern and/or assistance. There is always a place and a kairos for us to bring God's reign closer to ourselves and to others.
May we take time this Advent to look for that kairos and discern how to bring God's reign that is already here, but not yet, just a little bit closer to change the world for the better.
Amen.
Prayers
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of
darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of
this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit
us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come
again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the
dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen. (Collect for First Sunday of Advent, Book of Common Prayer, p. 211).
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815).
Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this
land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as
their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to
eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those
who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law
and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of
us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Oppressed, Book of Common Prayer, p. 826).
No comments:
Post a Comment