Words from the Gospel Reading for the First Sunday of Advent: Year C
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Luke 21:33)
Our Lord Jesus informs us that this fragile earth, our island home, will pass away. This earth is our spaceship of life as we know it now. But we have an invitation to board the forever Love ship of God.
Just like everything that we design and make, eventually breaks down, so too God has engineered an Escaton Day (End of Days) wherein creation as we know it, ends. The only thing that continues to have life is the Word of God as made known in Christ Jesus.
We can live in His Eternal Word, but it requires some effort on our part. First and foremost, we must simply believe the words of our Lord Jesus. All three of the Synoptic Gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark and Luke), has an “End of Days” revelation. The John Gospel account has its own Revelation that ends our Christian Bible.
With our belief, we must put forth action. We must live lives of service to others modeling our love for our neighbor, regardless of their beliefs or unbelief. We are to love them, not judge them. This is a tough calling. Christianity is not for the faint of heart. We know that we will all individually pass away.
Now we are informed that this earth, this planet that we live on and that provides for us, will also pass away. Now is our opportunity to adjust to the love-life of Christ Jesus and his words for us, which are eternal, and will never, never, never, pass away. Advent is a time of expectation. Let us look for Christ to come in whatever manner God so chooses. It’s almost like the excitement of waiting for, and expecting Santa, as a child!
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, as we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray: A Collect for Sundays (BCP p. 98)
O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
onewhoponders 