Reading
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years. (Malachi 3: 1-4) Reflection One time, a friend and I sat watching infomercials. It is entertaining to see a powerful light or a new type of cleaner amaze and impress. Another friend came into the room and asked, “What in the world are you watching?” It is equally and strangely comforting to watch those videos showing how things are made or a chemist transforming water or powder into a flaming show of dazzling colors. The science of how things work in God’s world is tremendous! Transforming and cleaning is entertaining when someone else is doing it! For God, though, to roll up God’s sleeves and put the focus of clean directly on us does not sound entertaining or comforting. “Light it up, angels, this one has some serious spots and smudges!” Ouch. This is going to hurt, but, yes, Lord, I know I need it so that I can shine for you. --Andrew Fitch Prayer O great God, wash me clean. In your hands, my stains have no power to cling. My sins and transgressions, missteps, and mistakes crumble before your Spirit—mighty wind and purifying fire. Strengthen me to clean for you and do it well—that all that harms and scars this Creation would be turned back by the hands and feet of your faithful. In Christ Jesus, Amen. Our devotions are based on this Sunday’s Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). The RCL is a three-year cycle of readings telling the story of our Christian faith and corresponding to the season church calendar. On any given Sunday, we are hearing and praying and examining the same Scripture with millions of Christians around the world. In our current Year C, the Old Testament readings progress through the Prophets and have the theme of the day that it is connected to the Gospel reading. The Psalm, a song the congregation sings in response to the Old Testament reading, most often corresponds to the theme of the Hebrew Lessons and/or that of the Gospel Lesson. The lesson from the Epistles or from Acts typifies the church’s focus on the meaning of Christ for today. The Gospel lesson is connected to the season of the Church Year. This year, our gospel readings are from Luke, who writes that Jesus is the universal Savior and the perfect Son of Man. In the current season of Advent, we long for Christ’s coming: Christ coming as a baby; Christ coming again; Christ in our lives today.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Authors
Anyone is welcome to contribute! If you'd like to write for us, please e-mail [email protected] Email
Get our daily devotions delivered to your e-mail box each day by signing up below:
Archives
May 2022
Subscribe |