O Lord our God, you gace your law that righteousness might abound: Put it into our hearts to love justice for others as much as we desire it for ourselves, that, as we know you to be our judge, so we may welcome your reign as it is manifested through Jesus Crhsit our savior; to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen.
(THE ADVENT PROJECT)
Daily Readings
Day 1: Judges 4:1-11
Day 2: Judges 4:12-16
Day 3: Judges 4:17-24
Day 4: I Thessalonians 5:1-8
Day 5: I Thessalonians 5:9-12
Day 6: I Thessalonians 5:13-18
Day 7: Matthew 25:14-30
Reflection
At first glance our Thessalonians reading for this week might seem strange-all apoclaptic texts do. We live in a world where a large group of people belive in signs of the end of time. Something terrible happens and it’s a sign. The wrong candidate wins an election-it’s a sign. Earthquake-sign. Wild fire-sign. Oil spill-sign. Marriage and ordination equality in the church-signs.
One wonders where these ideas come from-it’s certainly not in Thessalonians (or any part of the Bible). Our reading for this week isn’t a warning to be on the lookout for future events. It’s a reminder to have hope as we wait for Christ to return. There’s no reason to look for signs, because we already have everything we need. We don’t know when Christ will return-we aren’t suppossed to. We are suppossed to “encourage one another and build up each other.”
How will you encourage and build up one another during this Advent season?
O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!
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