December 3rd - Reflection

Acts 13:16 25 (NRSV)
Paul's testimony concerning John the Baptist

So Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak:

"You Israelites, and others who fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. For about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. After he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance for about four hundred fifty years. After that he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel. Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. When he had removed him, he made David their king. In his testimony about him he said, 'I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after my heart, who will carry out all my wishes.' Of this man's posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised; before his coming John had already proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his work, he said, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but one is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of the sandals on his feet."'

Reflection
God has involved people throughout all the ages in his plan. God has involved the patriarchs and the Israelites throughout the Old Testament story. And God continues to involve people of all races and nations in the unfolding of the books of the New Testament. Our Father is in an intimate relationship with his people. God loves his children and continues to care for them. And God has called, gifted, and invited you to be involved also in this grand story.

You are peculiar, yet unique, and highly valued in this unveiling story of God's activity in the life of his people. Just as John the Baptist would announce the coming of the ministry of Jesus, we too announce the coming return of Jesus and the presence of Jesus in our own lives and the life of the Church. This is Jesus, the one coming after me and you, but in our time in history, coming with me and with you, as we touch the lives of so many people that God places in our path day by day.

In this season of Advent, is our opportunity to introduce anew, the great one coming after, within, around and before us each day. The humanity of Jesus, our God and Savior, who came to this earth to live and die and defeat sin and death in our stead. We announce the presence of Jesus this season to all the world. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Come Lord Jesus, come... --- Amen