Part 1 of 2
Daily Office Readings for Sunday of the Fourth Sunday of Advent 2020: Year 1
AM Psalms 24 and 29; PM Psalms 8 and 84;
Isaiah 42:1 to 12; Ephesians 6:10 to 20; John 3:16 to 21
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars you have set in their courses; What is man that you should be mindful of him? the son of man that you should seek him out?” (Psalm 8: 4 and 5)
As I am studying the astronomical and cosmic creation of God in my Education for Ministry (EfM) seminar, I am so reminded of how humanity is so insignificant in the grand scheme of interstellar space. Yet God cares so much for us that God comes to us as one of us. Not only that but now God has gifted us with what we need to take care of our current predicament. “You give him mastery over the works of your hands; you put all things under his feet” (Psalm 8:7) This includes a vaccine that will aid us in overcoming the dreaded COVID 19 virus. Thank You Jesus.
Part 2 of 2
Eucharistic Readings or the Fourth Sunday of Advent 2020: Year B
2nd Samuel 7:1 to11and 16; Canticle 3or 15; or Psalm 89:14and19 to 26; Romans 16:25 to 27 ; Luke 1:26 to 38
“But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.” (Luke 1: 29)
It is from this statement from the lips of Mary, the Mother of our Lord Jesus. that I found comfort in my own approach to the throne of God. It is why I “ponder” today. In the New Revised Standard Version of our Bible, from Luke we hear Mary say these words twice. We hear it here, and we will hear it again when the shepherds come to the stable at the birth of our Lord Jesus.
It is a humble statement which explains the Magnificat, or Song of Mary where in the old English it is written in our Book of Common Prayer; “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.” (BCP 65) It goes on to say that God has looked on the “lowliness” of his servant. And that’s right because God lifts up the lowly. It almost seems as if the lowere we are here, the higher we are with God, or soon will be. Saint Mary is among the saints we should listen to and follow her example.
Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 