Tuesday, December 11, 2012

December 11 - Advent

Today’s Scriptures: Lectionary selections from the Revised Common Lectionary Year C

Psalm 126

Isaiah 19:18-25

2 Peter 1:2-15

Today’s Reflection:

Yesterday, the passage in Isaiah prompted the question, “Who am I that God would know me?” The passage in 2 Peter today answers that question, or rather refines it to “Who should I be…?” and it adds perhaps a more important question, “How do others know who we are?”

 

2 Peter 1:5-7 outlines a series of personal qualities that define the believer.

Faith.

Goodness.

Knowledge.

Self-control.

Endurance.

Godliness.

Mutual affection.

Love.

As important as these words are, the word that comes between magnifies their power. None of the qualities exists in isolation, but each connects to the others. The connecting “with” increases the effect of the others. We cannot reach faith without love.

 

These qualities answer both questions. God knows us through our faith and the world knows us through demonstration of the qualities that bring us to God. The more we live these qualities, the more we effectively and fruitfully accomplish the works God has set for us to do. God knows who I am through my faith. The world knows who I am through my actions.

Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org

 

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