The Season of Advent prepares us for Christ's coming--both on Christmas Day and when we comes again in glory. This year, we will spend each week exploring a different way we can prepare ourselves. The post for each day will include a scripture, a song, a few brief questions to reflect upon, and a prayer.
Week 2 Reminder
This
week, our readings focus on "Repentance." The Hebrew word for "repent" תשובה (teshuva) means to return or turn back. It's Greek counterpart μετανοώ (metanoeó)
means to change one's mind or purpose--particularly when that change is
as a result of accepting God's will. For a longer description of
repentance, refer back to the reading, for Sunday, Dec. 4.
Scripture
Luke 3:7-18
7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10 And the crowds asked him, “What, then, should we do?” 11 In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none, and whoever has food must do likewise.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”
15 As the people were filled with expectation and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,[a] 16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
18 So with many other exhortations he proclaimed the good news to the people. (NRSVUE)
Hymn
Questions
John the Baptist ruffled feathers when he pointed out the obvious things people could do to repent of everyday injustices.
- What uncomfortable yet everyday actions might he ask of you?
- What might he ask of our society?
- Are you willing to take those steps towards repentance?
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