Advent
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Friday, December 9th, 2011Friday - December 9: Will this generation heed God’s wisdom?
Readings: Isaiah 48:17-19 Psalm 1:1-6 Matthew 11:16-19
Reflection: The prophets remind us that God’s kingdom is open to those who are receptive to God.
Jesus warns the generation of his day to pay attention to God before it is too late. He compares teachers and scholars with playmates who refuse to follow any sort of direction or instruction. Jesus’ parable about disappointed playmates challenges us to examine whether we are selective to only hear what we want to hear. The children in Jesus’ parable react with dismay because they cannot get anyone to follow their instruction. They complain that if they play their music at weddings, no one will dance or sing; and if they play at funerals, it is the same. This refrain echoes the words of Ecclesiastes 3:4 – “there is a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Are we in tune with the message of God’s kingdom? Jesus’ message of the kingdom of God is good news to those who will listen and it produces true joy and freedom for them; but it is also a warning for those who choose to ignore it.
The message of John the Baptist and the message of Jesus meet with deaf ears and resistance because of jealously and spiritual blindness. The scribes and Pharisees attributed John the Baptist’s austerities to the devil and they attributed Jesus’ table fellowship with sinners as evidence that he must be a false messiah. They succeeded in frustrating God’s plan for their lives because they had closed their hearts to the message of John the Baptist and to Jesus’ message.
Like the generation of Jesus’ time, our age is marked by indifference and contempt, especially in regards to God. Indifference dulls our ears to God’s voice and to the good news of the gospel. The humble of heart can find joy and favour in God’s sight. Is our life in tune with Jesus’ message of hope and salvation?
“Lord Jesus, open my ears to hear the good news of your kingdom and set my heart free to love and follow you joyfully and wholeheartedly.”
Advent Week Two - Thursday
Thursday, December 8th, 2011Thursday - December 8: “For with God nothing will be impossible”
Readings: Genesis 3:9-15, 20 Psalm 98:1-4 Luke 1:26-38
Reflections: The faith and obedience we see in Mary is the key that unlocks the grace of God’s kingdom in our personal lives?
When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they experienced the consequence of their action – separation from the God who loved them. But God, in his mercy, promised a Redeemer. We see the unfolding of God’s offer of redemption in the events leading up to the birth of the Messiah.
Mary’s “Yes” to God is a model of faith for all Christians. Mary believed God’s promises even when they seemed impossible. She trusted that what God said was true and would be fulfilled. She was willing to do God’s will, even if it seemed difficult or costly.
God wants us to respond with the sort of willingness, obedience, and trust we see in Mary and to “bear the Christ” to the world today. We can either say “yes” or resist and go our own way. Do we believe in God’s promises?
“Heavenly Father, you offer us abundant grace, mercy, and forgiveness through your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Help me to live a grace-filled life as Mary did by believing in your promises and by saying “yes” to you.”
Advent Week Two - Wednesday
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011Wednesday - December 7: “Take my yoke upon you and you will find rest for your souls”
Readings: Isaiah 40:25-31 Psalm 103:1-4, 8-10 Matthew 11:28-30
Reflection: Oxen were yoked two by two and the Jewish spiritual tradition of Jesus’ day used the image of a yoke to express our relationship with God. They spoke of the yoke of the law, the yoke of the commandments, the yoke of the kingdom, the yoke of God.
Jesus invites us to be yoked with him, to unite our life with him, making his agenda our agenda. Jesus says his “burden is light”. When we yoke our lives with Jesus, he is with us to helps us carry our burdens and he helps us make his way of life our way of life.
In the Advent season we celebrate the coming of the Messiah who ushered in God’s kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy. As we put our trust in God and in the coming of his kingdom, we experience peace with God and receive strength for living God’s way of love and holiness (Isaiah 40).
In God’s kingdom the power of sin and death are defeated by an eternal healthy and life-giving relationship with God. Accepting the yoke of Jesus’ way of life, frees us to live life as God intends life to be lived.
The yoke which Jesus invites us to embrace is his way of freedom to live in love, peace, and joy as God’s children. Do we trust in God’s love and accept his will for our life?
“Lord Jesus, touch my heart with love for you and for your ways and help me to accept the yoke of submission to your way. Set me free so that I may I desire what is good and in accord with your will.”
Advent Week Two - Tuesday
Tuesday, December 6th, 2011Tuesday - December 6: “It is not the will of my Father in heaven that one of these should perish”
Readings: Isaiah 40:1-11 Psalm 96:1-3, 10-13 Matthew 18:12-14
Reflection: Scripture tells us that God will not rest until we find our way home to him and often uses the image of a shepherd who cares for his sheep to describe what God is like. God promised that he would shepherd his people and lead them to safety (Isaiah 40:11). And God sent Jesus, the Messiah, to begin God’s kingdom of peace and righteousness and to shepherd and care for people with love and compassion. Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep (John 10:11).
Jesus’ parable about a lost sheep gives us a glimpse of the heart of God as shepherd, and the joy of a community reunited with a lost member. Shepherds had to watch over their sheep, protect them from predators, and from dangerous terrain and storms. The parable describes the God who goes immediately in search of a lost sheep and the joy God experiences when the lost sheep is found and restored it to the flock. God searches, reaches out to us persistently. Jesus revealed the God who reaches out to the lost (sinners) and wants us sinners be restored to a healthy and life-giving relationship with him. That is why the whole community of heaven rejoices when one sinner is restored to fellowship with God. God’s mission today is still to save people from the destructive forces of sin and evil. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, watches over us and walks with us in life. Do we listen to his voice and heed his wise counsel? Do we follow the path he has set for us – a path that leads to eternal life?
“Lord Jesus, nothing escapes your watchful gaze and care. May I always walk in the light of your truth and never stray from your loving presence.”
Advent Week Two - Monday
Monday, December 5th, 2011Monday - December 5: “Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Rise and walk?’”
Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 85:9-14 Luke 5:17-26
Reflection: The prophets proclaimed that, when the Messiah came to usher in God’s kingdom, the blind would see, the deaf hear, and the lame walk (Isaiah 35:5-6). Jesus brings healing and offers us the abundant life of God’s kingdom (John 10:10). But that new life can be stifled by unbelief, sin and pride. Sin (our broken relationship with God) limits us far more than any physical ailment can and the “cure” for sin is confession, repentance, acceptance of God’s forgiveness and then allowing being “forgiven sinners” to touch our hearts and shape our lives.
Jesus’ treatment of sinners upset the religious teachers of the day. When the man was brought to Jesus because of the faith of his friends, Jesus did the unthinkable. He first forgave the man his sins. For the scribes this was blasphemy as only God can forgive sins. Jesus claimed an authority which only God could give. Jesus not only claimed that his authority came from God, he showed the power of God’s redeeming love by healing the man of his physical ailment. Jesus freed him from his burden of guilt caused by sin and restored his body as well. Jesus continues to offer us freedom from the power of sin to draw us from the love of God. In Advent we ask ourselves if there are things in our life that keep us from accepting Jesus’ offer of forgiveness and redemption?
“Lord Jesus, through your merciful love and forgiveness you bring healing and restoration to body, soul, and mind. May your healing power and love touch every area of my life – my innermost thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and memories. Pardon my offences and transform me through the power of your Holy Spirit that I may walk your path in life.”
Tuesday - December 6: “It is not the will of my Father in heaven that one of these should perish”
Readings: Isaiah 40:1-11 Psalm 96:1-3, 10-13 Matthew 18:12-14
Reflection: Scripture tells us that God will not rest until we find our way home to him and often uses the image of a shepherd who cares for his sheep to describe what God is like. God promised that he would shepherd his people and lead them to safety (Isaiah 40:11). And God sent Jesus, the Messiah, to begin God’s kingdom of peace
and righteousness and to shepherd and care for people with love and compassion. Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep (John 10:11).
Jesus’ parable about a lost sheep gives us a glimpse of the heart of God as shepherd, and the joy of a community reunited with a lost member. Shepherds had to watch over their sheep, protect them from predators, and from dangerous terrain and storms. The parable describes the God who goes immediately in search of a lost sheep and the joy God experiences when the lost sheep is found and restored it to the flock. God searches, reaches out to us persistently. Jesus revealed the God who reaches out to the lost (sinners) and wants us sinners be restored to a healthy and life-giving relationship with him. That is why the whole community of heaven rejoices when one sinner is restored to fellowship with God. God’s mission today is still to save people from the destructive forces of sin and evil. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, watches over us and walks with us in life. Do we listen to his voice and heed his wise counsel? Do we follow the path he has set for us – a path that leads to eternal life?
“Lord Jesus, nothing escapes your watchful gaze and care. May I always walk in the light of your truth and never stray from your loving presence.”
Wednesday - December 7: “Take my yoke upon you and you will find rest for your souls”
Readings: Isaiah 40:25-31 Psalm 103:1-4, 8-10 Matthew 11:28-30
Reflection: Oxen were yoked two by two and the Jewish spiritual tradition of Jesus’ day used the image of a yoke to express our relationship with God. They spoke of the yoke of the law, the yoke of the commandments, the yoke of the kingdom, the yoke of God.
Jesus invites us to be yoked with him, to unite our life with him, making his agenda our agenda. Jesus says his “burden is light”. When we yoke our lives with Jesus, he is with us to helps us carry our burdens and he helps us make his way of life our way of life.
In the Advent season we celebrate the coming of the Messiah who ushered in God’s kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy. As we put our trust in God and in the coming of his kingdom, we experience peace with God and receive strength for living God’s way of love and holiness (Isaiah 40).
In God’s kingdom the power of sin and death are defeated by an eternal healthy and life-giving relationship with God. Accepting the yoke of Jesus’ way of life, frees us to live life as God intends life to be lived.
The yoke which Jesus invites us to embrace is his way of freedom to live in love, peace, and joy as God’s children. Do we trust in God’s love and accept his will for our life?
“Lord Jesus, touch my heart with love for you and for your ways and help me to accept the yoke of submission to your way. Set me free so that I may I desire what is good and in accord with your will.”