Sunday, December 11, 2011

God, Present in the "Everyday"

This is a devotional for yesterday from Creative Communication for the Parish.

  Readings: Sirach (Ecclesiasticus, apocrypha) 48:1-4, 9-11
                  Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
                  Matthew 17:9-13

  "Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him..." Matt. 17:12
  Elijah appears again today, a measure of importance during Advent. he is a figure associated with the end-time, when God's reign was to be fulfilled. Sirach states that Elijah will "put and end to wrath before the day of the Lord," a reference to the "birth pangs of the messiah." John the Baptist cried out: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matt. 3:2)
  Despite this clear pronouncement, the people did not heed John's words. They regarded him as a holy ascetic, but not as the herald of the reign of God. Why not? even though they eagerly awaited God's reign, they were anticipating conquest and political independence rather than repentance and transformation. Since they did not take to heart John's announcement of God's reign, it is not surprising that they did not accept its arrival in Jesus himself.
  We, too, find it difficult to recognize and accept the reign of God. We, too, hope for victory and a spectacular display. All of the oohs and ahhs at the Christmas crib often miss the fact that the all-powerful God comes to us in unassuming and vulnerable ways.
  Tender God, open my mind and heart so that I can welcome you into my life this Advent and all the Advents to come. Amen.

Just thought it was a good devotional. Enjoy.

In Christ,

Em xoxoxo

No comments:

Post a Comment