PSALM Old Testament Epistle Gospel
| Sun Nov 30 | am: 146, 147 pm:111, 112, 113 | Amos 1:1-5, 13-2:8 | 1 Thess 5:1-11 | Luke 21:5-19 |
First Sunday of Advent: In the US, Advent begins on the heels of Thanksgiving, Thursday, Black Friday, and Football Saturday. All three of these days create a holiday weekend that tends to be focused on living in the now. In many respects, the lessons for Advent I in the Eucharist seek to capitalize on that sentiment, as there is a very real call to be vigilant. When one hears that word, it sounds a bit alarmist, and perhaps, given the behavior of some in the USA in the holiday weekend, rightly so. Being vigilant means to realize that the world is more than me and myself, and that life is not established according to my wishes or terms. Life is a gift that we are to be careful, watchful, and intentional about, and so Advent is a reminder for us to be watchful and mindful of the One whom we claim to follow.
Scriptural Mediation: The prophet Amos, a simple shepherd, was called by God to deliver a stark message to Israel during a time of prosperity that masked deep societal injustice. The core message for us this Advent season is a challenge to examine how we live out our faith in times that may not be that dissimilar. In the changing global landscape, nations are challenged to look at society and ask, Are we as a nation or as leaders trampling the head of the poor into the dust”? This is such an urgent question that perhaps Leo XVII is taking up the mantle of Amos as he asks of leaders in the world, Is there a hypocrisy of faith when one ignores the poor. Can one claim faithfulness if we turn a blind eye to the ongoing use of violence? Amos reminds us that we would be careful not to engage in religious community or as individuals, with pious rituals, but neglect our responsibility to love our neighbor and actively pursue social justice. This Advent, we are called to remind ourselves that true faith requires “justice roll[ing down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24
PRAYER: Gracious Father, we pray, this day for the grace for the ability to be agents of justice and mercy, so that we may be a gathered faithful people giving witness to the Kingdom of God. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever.
Activity/Spiritual Discipline – – Let Advent into your office and home. Use Sunday to begin your Advent observances. Create or buy an Advent wreath to use daily at home as part of the evening meal. Consider at the Office or place of employ an Advent calendar or Jesse tree to show the world that you are being vigilant and are waiting for Christ to come.
ANCIENT WORDS/PRESENT GRACE: “Your life consists in drawing nearer to God. To do this, you must endeavor to detach yourself from visible things and remember that in a short time they will be taken from you”. —- Blessed John of Avila, 16th Century Mystic and Preacher
SONGS OF THE HEART: Let Justice Roll Like A River by Marty Haugen