Anglican Mainstream

Sun Dec 6

am: Ps 148-150  pm: 114, 115  Amos 6:1-14   2 Thes 1:5-12   Luke 3:1-6

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Today's Gospel is for the Sunday Eucharist rather than the Daily Office. It is taken from Luke’s introduction to the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. We hear again the familiar voice of John the Baptizer calling for a "smoothed path and rough places made plain for the purposes of traveling the path of restoration. There is little question that John’s hearers were experiencing the harbinger of the salvation of God through preaching and the symbolic activity of baptism for repentance. Through it the way of the Lord was being prepared because those who were repentant were to experience the forgiveness of sins. When you consider the preparation of the coming for God’s rule, what are the obstacles that stand before us? This is a critical question in Advent that those of us in the post modern, secular consumer society must ask: “What are the obstructions that keep us from the straight path so we may experience the power and joy of God’s rule?” While this season is one of hope and we are to wait in hope, rather than in fear; we must also remove the obstacles that keep us from making and following a straight and smooth path. On the liturgical calendar the 6th of December marks the commemoration of the Feast of St. Nicholas of Myra. While the feast is not observed on a Sunday it is worthy to consider that St. Nicholas showed us how to find Jesus in the poor, the oppressed and abused. He was devoted to charity, but charity always linked to justice. Saint Nicholas is celebrated by all the Christian communities as in the case in Lebanon: Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Armenian. Many places, churches, convents, and schools are named in honor of Saint Nicholas, such as Escalier Saint-Nicolas des Arts, Saint Nicolas Garden, and Saint Nicolas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Achrafieh. In some parts of Italy, there is a ritual called the Rito delle nubile, where gifts are given to young brides who need help before getting married.

PRAYER: Father in heaven, we seek your grace to make holy preparations in our hearts as well as our homes this Advent seasons. May the lure of that which is new and temporary that are found in this season not impede us from the joy which moves the hearts of those who seek him. May the

obstacles of this world not block us from the path of wisdom which fills the hearts and minds of those who find him! We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

ACTIVITY – Since December 2000, a tradition has evolved: sending peace messages to people in Bethlehem. Individuals, communities, churches and congregations, organizations and mission partners from across the world are invited to e-mail Advent and Christmas wishes and prayers for justice

and peace to Bethlehem. For more information go to http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/8000 or http://www.progressio.org.uk/livesimply/AssociatesInternal/97590/advent _2009

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “Repentance is the daughter of hope and the renunciation of despair. A penitent is an undisgraced convict. Repentance is reconciliation with the Lord by the practice of good deeds contrary to the sins. Repentance is purification of conscience” – St. John Climacus, Step Three from The Ladder of Divine Ascent

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.