First Sunday of Advent: Jeremiah 33: 14-16; 1Thessalonians 3: 12-4:2; Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36
Today's Scripture can be read at www.usccb.org/nab
What Are You Awaiting?
Many of us have very little patience for waiting. Although we may find ourselves waiting in many different situations, we frequently consider waiting time to be “wasted” or “lost” time. The expectation of instant results can color our approach to many varied aspects of life - from daily tasks to relationships. Yet we know that, whether we like it or not, certain things in life just cannot be rushed! There are things in life for which we just have to wait!
As we begin this Advent season, God’s Word today reminds us to consider our values and priorities to see if God makes a difference in what we wait for and look for in life.
The reading from Jeremiah reminds us that God continues to come into our lives; while our reading from Luke reminds us of each person’s ultimate end to life in this physical plane of existence. Indeed, regardless of length of years, life is short!
Counterbalancing these heartfelt reminders, the reading from Thessalonians can greatly sustain us as we hear the prayer “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all…. so as to strengthen your hearts”
This prayer can anchor us and focus us as we begin our Advent season of 2009.
To think about: How do I react when I have to wait?
Do I often expect immediate results from my efforts?
Am I willing to “let go and let God”: to do what I can do and leave the results to God?
Do my actions show that I believe God is present in my life and in the lives of others?
What do I consider worth waiting for?
How patient am I when people do not act as I expect?
To do: Use everyday waiting times at stoplights, on shopping lines, or on the phone to breathe deeply and remember God’s presence within you.
These waiting times are also good times to remember others who are in need.
Call or visit someone who spends much of their day waiting in loneliness.
Be patient with someone you find difficult.
Wait before you buy that extra item; replace the impulse to buy something unnecessary with an action that serves or helps others.
To pray: “Come, Lord Jesus, give your people hope” or “Patience, for the Lord is coming.”
Next week: 2nd Sunday of Advent: Baruch 5: 1-9; Philippians 1: 4-11; Luke 3: 1-6
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment