Waiting

Matthew 24: 37 - 44

...you also must be ready...

During Advent we wait. We remember the longing of the Hebrew people for the Messiah's coming and their centuries of waiting. We recall our Christian longing and waiting for the Messiah's second coming.

Jesus challenges us to renounce earthly cares and be prepared to receive him. If we would like to be ready to meet the Lord when he comes, we must begin now to get ready. We must stay alert in our waiting. This is a strong Advent theme. Being ready for the Lord's coming is a good way to live. It give life purpose, meaning, impetus, force and dignity.

How can I make this real in my home, my school or work place, in my personal relationships?

Is there something we can do as a community to help each other to be more ready for the Lord's coming?

As we think about the second coming of Christ, as Judge and Lord, what changes do we want to make in our lives?

Prayer: Holy God, ever more near than we can imagine: draw close to us as we would draw close to you. In our speaking and our listening, in the thoughts of our minds and the stirrings of our hearts, may your coming change us and through us change our world. In Jesus Christ, Amen.

God of Compassionate Justice

God of compassionate justice

you have called us to do good

and we have asked, "But what is goodness?"

You have called us to love our neighbor

and still we debate the

boundaries of our neighborhood.

You have called us to lay down

our lives in service, and

we have excused ourselves with

explanations you wouldn't believe!

Renew your love in us, and

help us live in simple obedience

to your will.

Amen (James Magaw: Alive Now)