Monday 30 November, Andrew the Apostle (Festival) +++ Love your neighbours

 

Psalm 19.1-6│Isaiah52.7-10│Romans 10.12-18│Matthew 4.18-22

Psaumes 19.1-6| Esaïe 52.7-10|Romains 10.12-18|Matthieu 4.18-22

 

Love your neighbours

 

Holy writ tells us that there are no differences between Jew and Gentile, slave and freeman, male and female—wow!  If we followed those tenets, we wouldn’t need to have “me too,” “black lives matter,” or any other form of social protests.  We would love our neighbours as ourselves.  We would understand that all are equal, all lives matter, and, to quote the very non-Christian Beatles, “all we need is love!”  Such a simple concept, that all are brothers and sisters in Christ, yet so challenging to affirm and share!

For our spiritual maturation, we are all instructed to read scripture, pray without ceasing and both to listen to preaching and to be “preachers.”  We must not only listen but share the Gospel message: our salvation stems from faith in accepting the unmerited grace of our redemption through Jesus Christ.  Then, we are to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28.19).  Let our voices go out to all the earth, and our words to the ends of the world (Romans 10.18).  Most of us understand these instructions, and that we, as the family of believers that constitutes the church militant, are the corpus that can and will make a difference in the world.  One of my Baptist friends often reminded me when I got frustrated with work or with the behaviour of others, we are simply told “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10.31).  

So ask yourself today, have you studied, have you listened, have you “preached” (by word or action), have you opened your heart to the Holy Spirit, and have you loved your neighbour?

Peace be with you! 

Rich Goodwin

 Editor’s note: St. Andrew, also known as Andrew the Apostle, was a Christian Apostle and the older brother to St. Peter. It is believed Andrew was one of the closer disciples to Jesus. According to Christian tradition, Andrew went on to preach the Good News around the shores of the Black Sea and throughout what is now Greece and Turkey. Andrew was martyred by crucifixion in Patras. He was crucified on a cross form known as "crux decussata," which is an X-shaped cross or a "saltire." His saltire cross is featured on the flag of Scotland. St. Andrew is the patron saint of fishermen and singers.

 (From https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=109).

'St. Andrew' by Greco, 1541?-1614 From Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48049 [retrieved November 28, 2020]. Original source: www.yorckproject.de.

Sunday 29 November, First Sunday of Advent +++ Sign of the times

Psalm 80.1-8,18-20│Isaiah 64.1-9│1 Corinthians 1.3-9│Mark 13.24-37

Psaumes 80.1-8, 18-20 |Ësaïe 64.1-9 |1 Corinthiens 1.3-9 | Marc 13.24-37

 

Sign of the times

 

“The sun and moon will darken”.

And the angels will come to gather Christ’s own into the Kingdom.

We are to be alert.

As we enter into the Advent season, it’s all about preparing for the coming of Christ.

How expectant are we towards the coming of Christ? This is what Advent is all about.

In the beginning of Mark 13:24, there is little doubt that Jesus begins describing events related to his return at the end of age. The coming of the son of Man with great power and glory is certain (v26), but its timing is uncertain (vv32-35). Therefore, followers of Christ should “be alert” and prepared for his unexpected return. It is a time for us to long for, hope for, and to be well prepared for the coming of our God. We need to have our eyes and heart open, and look for his coming each and every day of our lives! God is more likely to come in a quiet and peaceful way. However, this means we need to be aware of small things in life and all around us. God maybe where we list expected! We need to be well awake and alert so we will not be found “sleeping” when he comes.

Keep Awake! Be prepared! The Lord is coming!

Being alert is a spiritual attitude. When we are alert we see things, and notice things that we would not have noticed otherwise. If we remain spiritually alert, waiting for Christ to come, how much better might we see Him when he comes. We are meant to be Advent people.

Waiting, Watching and Praying.

As we wait for his coming in glory …. In all our preparations, let us be alert.

This year while we do all our shopping and wrapping, let us be at alert and pray that Christ will manifest in ways that we wouldn’t even dare to imagine. Amen

Grace West