Third Saturday of Advent
Scripture Reading for Today:
Singing Songs of Gratefulness
by Chuck Wesley
As I reflect on today’s scripture readings and read in John how the religious people of the day denied Christ, it makes me think of those who are skeptical of reconciliation, those who are so comfortable with this present life that they do not want to think of our past history and the life’s journey of Indigenous people who have survived residential school or descendants who are suffering from inter-generational trauma. I have to ask the question, “What would Jesus do?” “Who does He call us to be?” “How do we obey the Great Commandment?”
In the Gospel of Matthew chapter 22 the Pharisees or church leaders of that time sent one of their own, an expert of the law to test Jesus. Verses 36-40 reads:
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Psalm 89: 1-4 reads;
I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known
through all generations.
I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant,
‘I will establish your line forever
and make your throne firm through all generations.
The Psalmist speaks of the importance of giving thanks for all of God’s blessings and singing of the Lord’s great love for us. And with our mouth we tell others of His faithfulness. How will others hear of God’s free gifts if we don’t tell them? This Christmas gratefulness is declared as we sing:
“O Come Let Us Adore Him, O Come Let Us Adore Him,
O Come Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord”!
Today’s reading in the book of Judges 13:1-3 speaks of how the birth of Samson was announced by an angel. As we approach this Christmas in the year 2023, this season of advent, this celebration of the birth of Jesus, born to the virgin Mary, also told by an angel that she was pregnant and would bear a son, I think of the love and grace and compassion He gives to all who seek Him.
Scripture calls us to be stewards of His Creation. The greed of today’s world wants to take from God’s Creation without concern for the stewardship of His blessings we are called to. I give thanks every day for the Earth that God has given us to walk on, the Earth that feeds us, that sustains us. For the sun that gives us warmth, for the air that we breathe, for the water, animals, birds and fish. If these gifts cease to exist, humankind will no longer survive. Thank you, Lord, for loving us.
Thank you, Lord, for this time on earth that you have given us. Thank you for your Son, the Christ child, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the word. Jesus, who has come to reconcile us with himself.
Lord, I pray that we may be reconciled to You, that we may be reconciled with Creation, that we may be reconciled with each other, and that we may be reconciled with ourselves.
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