November 27
First Sunday of Advent
“Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.”
Reflection
We are people on a journey. Just as the pilgrims traveled across the ocean to arrive in Plymouth, we are travelers who have an ultimate destination. But unlike many other pilgrims, we are traveling not to an earthly place- we are traveling to heaven. Our readings today speak to this journey. Isaiah tells us about the Lord’s Mountain, a place where we will travel so that God can instruct us in his ways. Those ways include the concept of peace. Our destination will be a place where “one nation shall not raise the sword against another”. This is the place where God’s justice lives. Because of that justice, we can live lives of faith and joy without any fear. Psalm 122 continues this theme with the phrase; “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.”
As we journey toward our heavenly destination, we must keep watch over the things around us and over those we care about. Both Paul and Jesus speak of being aware of what is going on around us. We must “throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light”. We must “stay awake” and not get too involved in the things of this world, like eating and drinking. Certainly, marrying and giving in marriage are important things but they must be done in the light of our faith, as all things must be done. When we think about the things we spend our time doing, we must recognize those times when we are focused on things of this world and not those of God’s world. Otherwise, we will make a wrong turn and find ourselves in a strange an unfamiliar place, rather than on the path to Holiness.
The journey of Advent brings us to the manger. It brings us to a little child who will lead us on our journey. That is enough for us to remember. Jesus will never let us get lost if we follow him closely enough.
Peace,
Deacon Dare
Would you like to receive these reflections in your inbox? Subscribe to The Sunday Read newsletter.