Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Jesus Manifesto
I'm really enjoying Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola's "Jesus Manifesto.". A fantastic book that serves to remind us it's all about Jesus! Probably will be posting my favorite quotes here from time to time.
Wednesday in the First Week of Advent
Wednesday in the First Week of Advent
Read Matthew 21.23-32
http://www.biblegateway.com/
Walk the talk. So Jesus says in telling this parable of the two sons to the questioning Pharisees in the Temple. They have publicly challenged Jesus' authority to teach and heal, not to mention his driving out the moneychangers just before this scene in Matthew's gospel. Jesus very clearly draws a contrast between those who seemed to say "no" to God (i.e., the prostitutes and tax collectors) yet ultimately turned to Him, with those who seemed to say "yes" to God (i.e., the Pharisees and scribes) but who failed to live up to their talk. Those who walk the talk, even if they have at first rejected the ways of God, are those who have done the Father's will.
As we continue to prepare for the coming of the Messiah, it's a good time to examine our lives and ask ourselves the question - how are we responding to God's call on our lives? When have we said "yeah, yeah..." to God, offering only lip service without following through on our promise to obey? Can we accept that we have at times said a direct, or perhaps even an indirect, "No" to God - then test our hearts to instead turn and go in the way that He has called us? Now is the time to turn toward the Lord and follow where he leads us.
Today, November 30, is also the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle. His is a good example of joyful obedience to the Lord, and he models for us the way of walking the talk. He is best known for bringing his brother, Simon Peter, to meet the Lord - and the rest, as they say, is history. Today, let us look to Andrew as a great father in the faith, who let his "yes" be "yes".
Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him; Give us, who are called by your holy Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Read Matthew 21.23-32
http://www.biblegateway.com/
Walk the talk. So Jesus says in telling this parable of the two sons to the questioning Pharisees in the Temple. They have publicly challenged Jesus' authority to teach and heal, not to mention his driving out the moneychangers just before this scene in Matthew's gospel. Jesus very clearly draws a contrast between those who seemed to say "no" to God (i.e., the prostitutes and tax collectors) yet ultimately turned to Him, with those who seemed to say "yes" to God (i.e., the Pharisees and scribes) but who failed to live up to their talk. Those who walk the talk, even if they have at first rejected the ways of God, are those who have done the Father's will.
As we continue to prepare for the coming of the Messiah, it's a good time to examine our lives and ask ourselves the question - how are we responding to God's call on our lives? When have we said "yeah, yeah..." to God, offering only lip service without following through on our promise to obey? Can we accept that we have at times said a direct, or perhaps even an indirect, "No" to God - then test our hearts to instead turn and go in the way that He has called us? Now is the time to turn toward the Lord and follow where he leads us.
Today, November 30, is also the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle. His is a good example of joyful obedience to the Lord, and he models for us the way of walking the talk. He is best known for bringing his brother, Simon Peter, to meet the Lord - and the rest, as they say, is history. Today, let us look to Andrew as a great father in the faith, who let his "yes" be "yes".
Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him; Give us, who are called by your holy Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Tuesday in the First Week of Advent
Tuesday in the First Week of Advent
Read Matthew 21.12-22
http://www.biblegateway.com/
Read Matthew 21.12-22
http://www.biblegateway.com/
The Lord whom we prepare to meet in Advent appears in this scene as one who is prepared to pronounce
words of judgment. In liturgical time, we are preparing this season to welcome the Lord in his first Advent,
as newborn king. In actual time, we are always to be preparing to welcome the Lord in his second Advent,
when he shall appear to judge the living and the dead. In both the scene on the Temple grounds as well
as by the fig tree outside the city, the Lord exercises his role as judge of all.
Money changing in the Temple, a way of allowing pilgrims from throughout the Jewish diaspora to exchange
their foreign currency for temple currency - in order to purchase animals for sacrifice, had become a system
of money-making for those involved in the transactions. The offering of prayers to God had become
commodified, and those in the system were benefiting at the expense of the faithful. For Jesus, this was
an occasion for righteous anger.
Outside the city, Jesus passed a fig tree which appeared to be fruitful. Fig trees tended to produce fruit at
the same time as the leaves, and so a tree with leaves was usually also bearing fruit. This tree only appeared
to be fruitful, when in actuality it was not. It was all show - no fruit. Jesus pronounced judgment - as he does
elsewhere in decrying the hypocrisy of "religious" people who only appear to be performing the duties of
their faith, while neglecting the important matters like justice and mercy.
So - how do we prepare to welcome the Lord Jesus Christ as judge of all hearts? The babe who lies in the
manger at Bethlehem is the same king who will divide sheep from goats at the end of all days, the Lord of
love and peace is at the same time the Judge of justice and mercy. Pray today for the Holy Spirit to guide
you in a life of discipline and faithfulness to the ways of God, that you would bear fruit worthy of the disciple
of Jesus.
Monday in the First Week of Advent
Monday in the First Week of Advent
Read Matthew 21.1-11
http://www.biblegateway.com/
It's interesting to be reading this passage during the Advent season - it's one of the Gospel accounts that is assignedfor the Liturgy of the Palms on Palm Sunday. In fact, it's the passage we read at St. John's this past April as we opened our observance of Holy Week.
In this liturgical season, we prepare to mark again the Incarnation - the first Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ. Near the end of his earthly life, Jesus encounters in Jerusalem the cheering crowds who wish to hail him as king who would conquer the occupying Romans and restore the Davidic monarchy. Of course we know that just a week later, these same people who shout "Hosanna!" are crying "Crucify!" The kingship of Jesus, while absolutely real, is not modeled on the flawed systems of power which predominate in our world - then as well as now.
Were Jesus to show up today (which is of course possible!), those who would acclaim him as king would just as likely expect the wrong things of him. The kingship of Jesus is one of servanthood - he came not to be served but to serve. This reality goes against our fallen human instincts, and it still leads people to say "Who is this?" The person of Jesus is so compelling that his presence compels people to take stock of who he is - and we who follow Him are called to witness with our lives as to His identity as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Today, as you contemplate how you will prepare the way for the Lord this Advent season, answer for yourself the question of the crowds: Who is this? When have I turned my "hosanna" into "crucify"?
Read Matthew 21.1-11
http://www.biblegateway.com/
It's interesting to be reading this passage during the Advent season - it's one of the Gospel accounts that is assignedfor the Liturgy of the Palms on Palm Sunday. In fact, it's the passage we read at St. John's this past April as we opened our observance of Holy Week.
In this liturgical season, we prepare to mark again the Incarnation - the first Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ. Near the end of his earthly life, Jesus encounters in Jerusalem the cheering crowds who wish to hail him as king who would conquer the occupying Romans and restore the Davidic monarchy. Of course we know that just a week later, these same people who shout "Hosanna!" are crying "Crucify!" The kingship of Jesus, while absolutely real, is not modeled on the flawed systems of power which predominate in our world - then as well as now.
Were Jesus to show up today (which is of course possible!), those who would acclaim him as king would just as likely expect the wrong things of him. The kingship of Jesus is one of servanthood - he came not to be served but to serve. This reality goes against our fallen human instincts, and it still leads people to say "Who is this?" The person of Jesus is so compelling that his presence compels people to take stock of who he is - and we who follow Him are called to witness with our lives as to His identity as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Today, as you contemplate how you will prepare the way for the Lord this Advent season, answer for yourself the question of the crowds: Who is this? When have I turned my "hosanna" into "crucify"?
First Sunday of Advent
Welcome to Advent! I'll be sending out these daily reflections by email during this season of
preparation. I invite you to use them in your time of daily prayer. Each reflection will begin with
a reading from the Gospels in the Daily Office Lectionary (Year 2), and then a few comments and
questions to direct your personal time of prayer and meditation on the Word, as prepare for
the coming of the Word Made Flesh.
First Sunday of Advent
Read Luke 21.5-19
http://www.biblegateway.com/
"By your endurance, you will gain your lives" (Luke 21.19). Sometimes the season before Christmas
seems like an endurance contest, doesn't it! Enduring the lines at the grocery store, the department
store, the gas station. Making it to Christmas is a goal we set and hope to achieve - if we can only
manage to get everything on our list successfully crossed off!
The season of Advent is supposed to be a time of peaceful preparation, though our culture would press
us to greater frenzy rather than greater calm. We can, however, resist the pressure and make ourselves
still before the Lord. Jesus in this gospel reading tells of great tribulation - the destruction of the Temple,
warring nations, earthquakes and famine, terrors and persecutions. He warns his followers that they
will be brought before authorities and turned over even by their own family members because they are
witnessing to the Truth of the Lord's identity and mission. And that they should not shrink back from
this opportunity to bear testimony in the face of great pressures.
It's unlikely that any of us will face the threat of persecution for bearing witness to Jesus during this
season of Advent. But do take a moment as this season begins to ask yourself the question: how
can I mark this season differently this year as a time of testimony to Jesus Christ the Lord? How can
I approach the coming of Christmas in such a way that others see my faith in action - not for the purpose
of calling attention to myself, but for the purpose of pointing attention to Him?
preparation. I invite you to use them in your time of daily prayer. Each reflection will begin with
a reading from the Gospels in the Daily Office Lectionary (Year 2), and then a few comments and
questions to direct your personal time of prayer and meditation on the Word, as prepare for
the coming of the Word Made Flesh.
First Sunday of Advent
Read Luke 21.5-19
http://www.biblegateway.com/
"By your endurance, you will gain your lives" (Luke 21.19). Sometimes the season before Christmas
seems like an endurance contest, doesn't it! Enduring the lines at the grocery store, the department
store, the gas station. Making it to Christmas is a goal we set and hope to achieve - if we can only
manage to get everything on our list successfully crossed off!
The season of Advent is supposed to be a time of peaceful preparation, though our culture would press
us to greater frenzy rather than greater calm. We can, however, resist the pressure and make ourselves
still before the Lord. Jesus in this gospel reading tells of great tribulation - the destruction of the Temple,
warring nations, earthquakes and famine, terrors and persecutions. He warns his followers that they
will be brought before authorities and turned over even by their own family members because they are
witnessing to the Truth of the Lord's identity and mission. And that they should not shrink back from
this opportunity to bear testimony in the face of great pressures.
It's unlikely that any of us will face the threat of persecution for bearing witness to Jesus during this
season of Advent. But do take a moment as this season begins to ask yourself the question: how
can I mark this season differently this year as a time of testimony to Jesus Christ the Lord? How can
I approach the coming of Christmas in such a way that others see my faith in action - not for the purpose
of calling attention to myself, but for the purpose of pointing attention to Him?
Advent Reflections
So I've been encouraged by our Ministry Council to start blogging again. It's been over a year since my last attempt. Going to be posting here my daily Advent reflections that are going out to the parish, as well as occasional other thoughts related to the season. We are diving into the Advent Conspiracy (www.adventconspiracy.org), so there will probably be some items related to that as well.
Blessings,
Darin+
Blessings,
Darin+
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
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