Today’s Advent reading is from the 7th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew
Anyone who hears my words and puts them into practice is like the wise one who built a house on rock. -Matthew 7:24
We have recently witnessed the ravages of Sandy, and our hearts go out to those who are still without shelter as winter is upon us. We are reminded of the precarious nature of life. And truly, there is no way to insulate and protect ourselves from tragedy whether we build our homes on sand or rock. So how do we build our inner lives? And how do we reach out to others when tragedy strikes? On what are our lives built?
This home is precariously perched on a bluff above the Pacific Ocean below. How is my life situated?
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples , a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.
– Isaiah 25:6
If we open our eyes an truly see, we can surely see the abundance of creation. There is enough for all! God has provided for all. The Hebrew Scriptures and the teaching of Jesus tell us to share this abundance that the earth provides so that all may eat and be satisfied.
What are ways that I can share from my abundance during this Season of Advent?
What an auspicious theme as we begin the Season of Advent: Reflection! And what better place to reflect than in the desert? The photo above was taken while I was driving with another sister from Minnesota to California. It is from the part of the journey through the Salt Flats of Utah. A more desolate and eery landscape you could not find! And yet there is such beauty in the midst of it.
Next Sunday, the Second Sunday of Advent, we will be reminded of the words of the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord!”
May we, when we are on our desert journeys take the time to reflect and find the beauty around us and within us. Then, surely, “all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
“Advent is not about a sentimental waiting for the Baby Jesus” —Richard Rohr
While the stores are all decked out in their Christmas attire, our churches are holding out and putting out blue or purple and an Advent wreath. And just what is Advent? I like how Richard Rohr, OFM, puts it in his book, Preparing for Christmas.
“[I try] to invite people beyond a merely understanding of Christmas as “waiting for the baby Jesus” to an adult and social appreciation of the message of the Incarnation of God in Christ. We Franciscans have always believed that the Incarnation was already the Redemption, because in Jesus’ birth God was already saying that it was good to be human, and God was on our side.”
Today is the last day of the Church Year, since tomorrow is the First Sunday of Advent. Our Psalm today is Psalm 95, and we read:
For the Lord is a great God, and a great ruler above all gods; In God’s hands are the depths of the earth, and the tops of the mountains. The sea belongs to God, the Creator and the dry land, which God’s hands have formed.
OPreach 