Morning
Read Luke 9vv1-6 and Malachi 4vv1-6
Silence is kept for two minutes.
Reflection
Advent, the storied answer to centuries of waiting, creates a crisis. Longing gives way to urgency. The first words Jesus utters in Mark’s gospel are, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news” (Mark 1v15).” In Luke 9, Jesus sends his disciples out, saying go, take nothing, proclaim the kingdom, perform the realities of the kingdom. The Lord has waited generations to speak again, why now the sudden hurry? The coming of Christ, literally and figuratively drives a wedge through our history. We even count our years based upon the life of Jesus—before Christ and anno domini “In the year of our Lord. For those who respond to the coming of Christ and its accompanying call to repentance and renewal, “the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.” (Mal 4vv2-3). There is a joyful expression of God’s reign, overcoming sin and forces that seek to keep the people of God in bondage. Luke 9 gives us a glimpse of this new reality, as the coming of Christ creates new possibilities of freedom and justice.
Pray: Lord, may we respond to your Advent with joy, repentance, and action-oriented faith. Heal our imaginations that we would partner with you in healing the world.