Saturday, December 13, 2014
Advent Reflections
Diocese of Newark
 


Thank you for continuing to journey with us through this season of Advent. You are now journeying together with people from in multiple dioceses - over 700 people in all. As we come together in reflection and prayer, we join our voices in praise as we await the joyful coming.

Scripture  

      

 Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone's bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

 

Take note of those who do not obey what we say in this letter; have nothing to do with them, so that they may be ashamed. Do not regard them as enemies, but warn them as believers.

 

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you.

 

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. 

2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

 


Reflection

  

For great is the Lord!  The question for this writer is - are we willing to accept God's greatness?  The desert surrounds us and all temptation is at hand yet the greatness of God does not cease.  In tension and in harmony, God is with us.  Yes, we cry out "O come, O come Emanuel" - just look around and you will see God is here.  Embrace the God you see each and every day and you too will recognize true greatness. 


 

Prayer

 

The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on her in truth.
He fulfills the desire of those who fear her;
    she also hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord preserves all who love him,
    but all the wicked she will destroy.

My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
    and let all flesh bless the God's holy name forever and ever.

from Psalm 45


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