Today's Scripture Readings
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 25:1-9 (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
My Mother passed away last Sunday at 3:25am. During the last five days of her life, I was able to spend some very precious time with her. We made peace with each other. When she died, I was happy for her that she was and is at peace. It was also a very sad moment for me. The woman who had given birth to me, nurtured me and helped me all her life had died at least physically. One of the things I found myself saying to her after she passed, was that all of the times she called and I felt like she was disturbing me; I wanted her to disturb me one more time. I can no longer call to ask her advice. I now have to rely on God and those who love me to help me at those moments when I might have asked my Mother to help me. You might say that when my Mom's earthly pilgrimage ended, her new life with God began. My own life, however, has been changed forever.
The First Sunday of Advent is the moment when the former Liturgical Calendar Year ends, and a new one begins. Yet, what makes it seem like an extension of the former year, is that the new year begins with Scripture readings that continue the theme of awaiting the second coming. The most recognizable difference is that we are now reading from the Gospel of Luke.
Every year on the First Sunday of Advent, we hear from the Gospel to be alert, stay awake for the hour is drawing near. We are told to stay alert because new things are coming. A transformation that will impact everyone's lives in a way that we could not have imagined. It symbolizes a new beginning. Yet, with every new beginning, the problems that have been with us before are just as relevant in the here and now.
We have heard many horrible accounts of what happened in Paris. We have also been reading of how many Governors of any number of states saying that they will not receive refugees from Syria. Among the reasons is that they suspect that the refugees are part of a radical group of Islamic terrorists. Just this week, while we are pausing to give thanks, a gunman opened fire by a Planned Parenthood clinic in Denver, Colorado. These and many more incidents tell us that while our world is advancing, many of the problems that humankind and even the Church has endured, are still happening today. There may be different groups of people, with many scapegoats among them. But, the attitudes of prejudice and supporting oppression of the weak, the lonely and those who are already affected by life's worst woes, are all there. Until or unless we put our trust in God and open our hearts to allowing the Holy Spirit to do new things in our lives; we will continue to dwell in the grotesque mud in which we are living.
On this First Sunday of Advent, Jesus promises us the opportunity to see Him in His great power and glory. We are offered a vision of Jesus in a state of pouring the Grace of God into all humankind through a new heaven and a new earth. A state of existence in which there is only the love, peace and hope that comes from God alone. It comes with a willingness to let go of our past and embrace God's Grace in the here and now, as we await the promise of God in the future.
We begin Advent with a reflection of hope. The hope that leads us to a newness of life. A way of life that is not weighed down by all the things we carry in ourselves and our many relationships.
'Lord, show us your love and mercy.
For we put our trust in you.
In you, Lord, is our hope;
And we shall never hope in vain.'
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 the First Sunday of Advent. The Book of Common Prayer, p. 211).
At this time, I wish to announce to my readers that next year on the Feast of Christ the King, November 20th, 2016 I will be posting my final reflection for this blog. I have enjoyed writing this blog year after year, week after week since I began this project in 2009. Since then, the Church and all of us have traveled together through some amazing moments at which God's Grace became very tangible. It has been my privilege and honor to write these blog posts and share them with those who have been reading them. However, the time is coming for me to spend time on my other blog, Simple Reflections for a Deeper Spiritual Life. I also need to devote my time to my husband, and my formation. After my final reflection on here, the blog will still remain active so that readers can enjoy all of the blog posts here. However, there will be no more new reflection entries. Until then, continue to enjoy the new blog entries. Let us pray with and for each other. Peace be with you all.
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