Advent Meditations: Thursday 5 December

Dec 5, 2019 by

Thur
Dec 5
am: 18:1-20
pm: 18:21-50
Amos 4:6-13 2 Peter 3:11-18 Matt 21:33-46

THURSDAY IN THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT-  Saint Sabas, Monk and Patriarch, 532

Born in Cappadocia, Sabas is one of the most highly regarded patriarchs among the monks of Palestine, and is considered one of the founders of Eastern monasticism. At age 18 he traveled to Jerusalem, seeking to learn more about living in solitude. Soon he asked to be accepted as a disciple of a well-known local solitary, though initially he was regarded as too young to live completely as a hermit. Initially, Sabas lived in a monastery, where he worked during the day and spent much of the night in prayer. At the age of 30 he was given permission to spend five days each week in a nearby remote cave, engaging in prayer and manual labor in the form of weaving baskets. Following the death of Saint Euthymius, Sabas moved farther into the desert near Jericho. There he served as abbot among a large community of monks, despite being to live the life of a hermit. He died at the monastery at Mar Saba. Today the monastery is still inhabited by monks of the Eastern Orthodox Church, and Saint Sabas is regarded as one of the most noteworthy figures of early monasticism.

MEDITATION- In the Gospel lesson today, one of the saddest statements is th3 innocent comment of the Father: ‘They will respect my son.’ Increasingly that is not the case in our world today. The fact is that  His message about the Kingdom of God would put him in direct opposition to so values, priorities and choices of many today. You might say too many other competing kingdoms. Jesus is now not somebody to anticipate and expect but rather an  enemy of the culture who needs to be marginalized at least or gotten rid of altogether in our common life at best . IN an age of political correctness, Jesus is seen as most incorrect. The question is how we will his followers act in our daily life as a result of this reality which is not a passing fad but something that is becoming a mainstay in the culture.

PRAYER:  Gracious God, fill me with your Holy Spirit, O Lord, and help me that I may keep untarnished the hope of the second advent of Jesus. Persecutions, afflictions, hardships and disappointments are now pressing upon us and so grant unto your servant boldness both in prayer and in speech. Guide me that I may care to obey you above all the ways and expectation of others assured that there is no other Name under heaven that but the blessed Name of Jesus, to whom be glory and dominion forever.

Activity/Spiritual Discipline – Go to https://www.seetheholyland.net/mar-saba and learn about the importance of Mar Saba and consider the freedom and access you may have to attend a church of your choice..

ANCIENT WORDS/PRESENT GRACE:  “Let true Christians then, with becoming earnestness, strive in all things to recommend their profession, and to put to silence the vain scoffs of ignorant objectors. Let them boldly assert the cause of Christ in an age when so many, who bear the name of Christians, are ashamed of Him.” – William Wilberforce

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