Wait for the Lord: The 3rd Week of Advent

{Instead of mailing this out bit by bit over the course of the week, I am sending it all in one chunk. I recommend taking an hour this weekend and giving it to the Lord. Take time to read through these Scriptures, pray, journal, etc.}

Theme: The Lord is faithful forever and offers hope to those in difficult circumstances. Because God came in the flesh to save us, we can experience great joy. Jesus is the long expected Savior of the world, and following the example of the prophets, who patiently awaited the Lord's coming, we must also patiently await the time of his reappearance.

Opening Prayer: "Through him he has called us out of darkness and into the light, out of ignorance into the knowledge of his glory, so that we might hope, Lord, in your name, for it is the foundation of all creation." Clement of Rome

OT Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10 

Reflections: "For it is clear that it is not without soul or sense that he proclaims the good tidings of joy, but he speaks, by the figure of the desert, of the soul that is parched and unadorned." On the Baptism of the Christ, Gregory of Nyssa

Psalm of Response: Psalm 146:5-10 

NT Reading: James 5:7-10 

Reflections: "If God delays the punishment of sinners, waiting for them to repent, it is not because his character has changed, so that now he loves sin. Rather, he is giving them time to repent." Catena, Cyril of Alexandria

Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:2-11 

For Further Reflection and Prayer:
1. Some people do not believe that a good God would punish sinners by sending them to hell; but, would a good God allow sin to go unpunished?  Think about minor ways you've been wronged. Think about people who traffic humans. Should these acts go unpunished?
2. We often want people to "get theirs" and want to punish them ourselves, but we must be patient for the Lord and his timing.  Even though he must punish their sin, he is good in that he wants them to repent, and so he delays his coming. This is good news.  Think about this.
3. In what way has God called your out of darkness and into light?  What has this really looked like in your life? What does it mean to have knowledge of His glory and to hope in His name?
4. What is dark at Penn? Where is His light?  How can you bring the light into the darkness like John the Baptist?  {As a follower of Christ, this is your calling.}

Closing Prayer: "We ask you, Almighty God, let our souls enjoy this their desire, to be enkindled by your Spirit, that being filled as lamps by your divine gift, we may shine like burning lights before the presence of your Son Christ at his coming; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." The Gelasian Sacramentary


See also Charlie Hall's Into Marvelous Light. {Song on YouTube.)