Blessings to you on the continuing journey of preparation in Advent as we mark the journey to Christmas in just over a week.
Our invitation to worship calls out to God to stir up God’s power so we can overcome our sins with God’s help and deliverance. Our first lesson from the prophet Isaiah reminds the present woes experienced by the Israelites were not forever, rather that God will come and deliver the faithful from their oppression. The response was the Magnificat – Mary’s song where she declares the greatness of God and God’s abundant grace for all, even the lowly. The New Testament reading from James asks believers to be patient until God comes, because a lot of things will happen before God comes but God hasn’t given up on humanity. Our Gospel from Matthew bookends John’s introduction last week with his asking Jesus if he is the Messiah, and Jesus’ response “what do you see?”
We are invited to consider how we live our life of faith, often in contrast and conflict with the standards of our society and the imagination of humans. On the one hand, we are invited to be patient and not fear what we see pressing upon us, not because it isn’t real, simply because the world does not have the final say. We are called to share the truth of faith which has transcended human understanding and governance, because the message of God is true. We are called to share what we’ve been told and what we’ve come to truly believe because our sharing of God’s presence and grace has proved to move others and give them hope.
How will you use the time offered in Advent to make a difference in the lives of others, starting with yourself and moving to your community? I invite your comments,
Les+
Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10; Canticle 15; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11
Sermon link: https://audiomack.com/fatherles-2/song/advent-3-sermon-1
