Evening
Read Romans 8vv22-25
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Reflection
Advent greets us as a surprise. We did not know what we were longing for much less what we needed. All that we knew was that we were crying out, groaning under the weight of something unnamed. Advent gives a name to our longing. We need hope, hope for a radical reordering of the world, hope for salvation. With the coming of Jesus, our longing becomes not the groaning of random suffering that ends in misery or death, but the groaning of childbirth. Like a mother giving birth, we embrace the pain because through the pain comes life. We join with all of creation having tasted the hope of Jesus and waiting to see it in full.
Prayer: Join our hearts with all those who wait desperately for hope seen and unseen. For the suffering, bring comfort. For the complacent, a word that jolts them from their numbness.