December 9 - Second Sunday in Advent

Today’s Scriptures: Lectionary selections from the Revised Common Lectionary Year C Malachi 3:1-4 Luke 1:68-79 Philippians 1:3-11 Luke 3:1-6

Today’s Reflection: The second Sunday in Advent focuses on peace. Today’s passages though, point us to the concepts of repentance and salvation. Both of those concepts challenge us at the core of our daily living – not very peaceful. Which of these do we most seek if a choice is to be made?   The early passage from Luke describes the father’s reaction at the birth of his son (John the Baptist). Zechariah reflects on the prophet’s promise that one would come before the Christ. His son fulfilled the destiny to bring the faithful to repentance before the savior came with the offer of salvation – a continuity of the relationship with God.   Repentance and salvation are historically connected. Accepting the gift of salvation takes a repentant heart recognizing that one can never do it by one’s own actions. Throughout the Old Testament, prophets called on the people to repent before God intervened to save the people from certain destruction by more powerful enemies threatening the holy land. When the people failed to repent, God failed to intervene. Only after we recognize our limitations are we able to accept God’s limitlessness.   Repentance and salvation both challenge our independent nature. They challenge the free-will that makes us in the image of God. Repenting before God forces us to own our imperfection. We have own that regardless of how hard we try, we are independently incapable of living up to God’s standards. Yet despite such failure, God still loves us and gives us the opportunity for salvation. Ultimately, the only thing God asks of us is to accept our place in relation to his place. The ten commandments pale compared to this one, “take your place” demand.   The second Sunday in Advent focuses on peace. Today’s passages though, point us to the concepts of repentance and salvation. Both of those concepts challenge us at the core of our daily living – not very peaceful. Yet, the more I reflect on my life, the more I learn I am at my most peaceful when I know who, what, and where I am. When God calls for repentance in return for salvation he guides us to know exactly who, what, and where we are. Repentance followed by salvation does not distress us; it assures us. Nothing is more peaceful than an assurance from God.

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

 

December 8 - Advent

Today’s Scriptures: Lectionary selections from the Revised Common Lectionary Year C Luke 1:68-79 Malachi 4:1-6 Luke 9:1-6

Today’s Reflection: The more I look around and want, the more I realize how much I actually have. When I wonder whether I am in a place to give what the Lord asks from me, I realize that, despite my meager means (I am far from the 1% - probably around the 50%, but that puts me in the top 10% in the world). Regardless of where I rank percentage-wise in the world, I am reminded by the Luke 9 passage that I have everything I need to do what Christ asks of me. He sent them out with nothing but the clothing on their back and the shoes on their feet and the authority to do everything he had done.   The to the apostles’ success came through the last clause: “the authority to do everything he had done.” Christ did not send them out wandering aimlessly through the land. He sent them out with purpose. As long as they worked toward that purpose, he saw that their needs were met. The sending of the twelve was not the only time God cared for those who were out doing his work. The Hebrews wandering in the desert had manna and water. Prophets frequently had their needs met despite hardship inflicted on the people.   The lessons of faith and sustenance come in handy for us today and especially in the season of Advent as we look forward to his coming. There is no promise of wealth or excess, only sufficiency to accomplish that which we are commanded.

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

 

December 7 - Advent

Today’s Scriptures: Lectionary selections from the Revised Common Lectionary Year C Luke 1:68-79 Malachi 3:13-18 Philippians 1:18-26

Today’s Reflection: One of the most challenging battles I face comes when I guide someone to question the motives of another person. We desperately want to believe that everything another person tells us comes with our best interest in mind. Unfortunately, as I work with teenagers on a daily basis, motivation often comes from a selfish place. Unfortunately, in the church, such actions do not only stay in the youth department. Malachi, the prophet addressed the motivation of those who played religion and those who worshipped God.   As Malachi addressed those who questioned the motivation of others he drew out a key aspect of belief and worship: we obey God, not for self but for service. That which we do in the act of worship may not immediately benefit the worshipper, but the prophet assures us God takes note of the service (and the intentions behind the service). Our worship of God includes the motivation in our heart as well as the outward actions. Being right with God requires our entire being. Playing religion and mimicking the right language gets us nowhere; being righteous and acting as God directs, gets us everywhere.

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

 

December 6 - Advent

Today’s Scriptures: Lectionary selections from the Revised Common Lectionary Year C Luke 1:68-79 Malachi 3:5-12 Philippians 1:12-18

Today’s Reflection: Sometimes a verse in the daily reading just pops out to me and one such verse did that today. Malachi 3:6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, have not perished.” I immediately made a note in the border: “God is God is God.” What an amazing comfort to us in times like these that constants exist – and most importantly, that God remains a constant. Daily chaos bombards us, but knowing we have a God who, despite our shortcomings, still cares for our needs.   We will never be perfect followers; however, how much better can our fellowship with God be if we daily strive to do all he asks of us. The verses following six refer to the tithe and what we have taken from (owe) God. God just assured us he loves us despite the times we fail him. When we succeed with our tithe to him, the blessings can only increase.

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

 

December 5 - Advent

Today’s Scriptures: Lectionary selections from the Revised Common Lectionary Year C Psalm 90 Isaiah 1:24-31 Luke 11:29-32

Today’s Reflection: In this first week of Advent, we have focused on the coming Christ by focusing on the things he commands us to do to carry out his kingdom. The Isaiah passage today reminds us that no matter how hard we work, we will not reach Godly perfection prior to Christ’s coming on our own. Some read the passage with the focus on the punishment aspect of it. It can also be read as a preparation for entering the presence of perfection.   Using terms from metallurgy, God talks about removal of the impurities found in substances, but completes the thought with a promise of restoration. It is not all destruction, but repair. While we anticipate the coming Christ, we also consider our innate imperfection and look forward to being made pure and whole in his presence.

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

 

December 4 - Advent

Today’s Scriptures: Lectionary selections from the Revised Common Lectionary Year C Psalm 90 2 Samuel 7:18-29 Revelation 22:12-16

Today’s Reflection: One reason we remain in such anticipation of the coming of Christ is the personal nature of the relationship. The prayer of David and the revelations of Christ both remind us that the foundation of the faith comes through the connection we have directly with God.   David repeatedly invokes the promises from God in the connection between him, the people, and God. David’s recollections connected the relationship as mutually beneficial. As God’s grace flowed on the Israelites, they remained superior to the nations around them, and their gods. The more the Israelites followed God’s direction, the more they were blessed: the more they were blessed, the more other’s recognized God’s hand in it.   Jesus’s revelation in Revelation promises a similar future for those of us who follow him. We anticipate his return and by doing as directed until that day, we prepare for the rewards to come when he establishes his eternal kingdom. Keeping it personal fuels the joy of anticipation at his return.

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

 

December 3 - Advent

Today’s Scriptures: Lectionary selections from the Revised Common Lectionary Year C Psalm 90 Numbers 17:1-11 2 Peter 3:1-18

Today’s Reflection: This time every year our patience tends to be tested more than any other. Looking forward to (or dreading) the holidays with all the busyness that comes along with them. Our impatience is nothing new. From early in the Biblical history people have questioned God, or his prophet, whenever what they want does not occur according to their timeline. Passages from both Testaments instruct us with regards to relying on our concept of time imposed on God’s understanding of time.   The passage in 2 Peter in particular helps us remember that as we wait for Christ’s return, God’s reason and the purpose behind the timing serve eternal purposes rather than our more selfish ones. Although, we look forward to Christ’s coming, our charge is to do the work we have been commanded until that time comes.   Patience through the anticipation should guide our demeanor, but our actions should ever be on the list of things we have been left to do. The more our minds remain on the task at hand, the faster our anticipation will be replaced with confidence in the joy of our salvation.

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

 

December 2 - First Sunday in Advent

Today’s Scriptures: Lectionary selections from the Revised Common Lectionary Year C Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 25:1-10 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Luke 21:25-36

Today’s Reflection: Jesus’s statements sometime prove to be real head-scratchers. The prediction about his return in the passage from Luke exemplifies the vagaries his parables were known for. His prophesy combined with the parable mixes both a lack of specifics with absolute definites. What we want to be specific is not. Furthermore, some of the specifics, we know some 2000 years later are not what we would call specific. The passage though gives us insight in that the return of Christ will have both natural and spiritual aspects and we will know them when we see them.   Some religious leaders point to natural anomalies from time to time as proof of Christ’s imminent return, but the spiritual aspect is missing. Others claim a special spiritual revelation from God, but forget the natural aspect of the prophesy. Jesus did not deliver this parable to the religious leaders; it was for everyone and I read it to indicate all believers will recognize the coming, not just a random leader here and there.   Anticipation is work for the believer as supported by the encouragement in Jeremiah and 1 Thessalonians. Staying faithful does not mean just worshipping on Sunday, but being faithful the entire week and doing all the things God declares for us to do. Anticipation requires work and thoughtfulness. In this season of Advent, we take comfort in the constant encouragement of the scriptures to maintain the focus necessary for spiritual stamina.

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

 

First Sunday of Advent - December 2, 2012 - Year C - Roman Catholic Lectionary

 

December 1 - Advent

Today’s Scriptures: Lectionary selections from the Revised Common Lectionary Year C Psalm 25:1-10 Nehemiah 9:26-31 Luke 21:20-24

Today’s Reflection: The celebration of the lectionary year sometimes provides a good reflection of the cycle of faith most everyone experiences. Such cycles in faith did not begin in modern Christianity. The Hebrews notoriously followed a typical faith cycle from the time they were delivered from Egypt. They did not even wait to make it to the relative comfort of the promised land; they began such cycles while in the desert which led to the forty years of wandering before the next generation was able to take ownership. The prophet Nehemiah illustrates the cycles in today’s passage by citing the times Israel rejected God’s laws and prophets, got into trouble, appealed to God, and were then restored to fellowship.   We follow the same cycles unless we remain vigilant. We have a time of ease. We reject the daily impact of God’s love for us. We get in trouble because we do not do things the way God wants. We beg for mercy. We are restored to right fellowship with God.   The remarkable aspect today, just as in the time of the Hebrews fresh from their wandering the desert, is that God’s infinite love infinitely forgives us when we enter the cycle and cry out to him yet again for salvation. In Advent, our lectionary cycle begins again as we look toward Christ’s return to us, but our personal faith remains uninterrupted as we turn the focus again to him.

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