Luke 3:1-6
Intentionality, it's a word we have used often with our Benedictine toolbox book and we need to pay attention to where the scriptures are leading us again this Sunday. We seem to be in the same place, just with different imagery. So why, why are we led here again to where tough times exist and hope for a difference is being planted?
It comes back to being intentional. When we our intention is set, and I mean set, on Jesus' coming and the laying of all things becomes equal, easier it is our paying attention which will help this come forth. Last week we talked about the paradox of tough times and the promise and hope of better times. Now we are drawn into this imagery again so we must pay attention.
Sometimes there are things we miss when we are distracted and don't pay attention to something right in front of us. It can be the same with scripture, we become too familiar with the stories and think we know where it is heading. Part of our job is to keep focusing and repetition asks us to look once again. What is different in this scripture than last weeks? Why are we emphasizing hope into bad times? What do we need to look at more carefully?
This week we are asked to look at one thing different and it comes in John the Baptist's action of asking people to repent for the forgiveness of sins. Now repentance means to turn, it's one of the things we are being asked to do in observing The Way of Love that our Presiding Bishop has put forth. Turn to Jesus.
We are supposed to be followers of Jesus, just as the first disciples were followers. They had to leave everything they knew and Peter in this gospel will tell Jesus he is not fit to do this and still Jesus calls him. If we look under the resources page for turn on The Way of Love website there are many interpretations of this. Here are a few: why do we promise to turn and follow Christ today?; finding joy in the confessional; discernment; the church has fallen away from the dream of following and merely worships; evangelism matters. This could open up a whole new way to turn and follow. The real thing is we need to be intentional about it.
This is advent. Not just watching and waiting which are passive things, but being intentional about this walk we have with Christ. Will we repent and forgive ourselves, others, and each other? Will we choose to follow Jesus? Will we fill this advent more thoughtfully and internationally?
Yes, the hard times exist and we are finding our way in our own wilderness. One in which we see shrinking numbers and the ending of Christendom. Will we be afraid or will we turn and follow.
Follow with more focus, follow to be called to new things, and follow to hear what God might be saying to us.
Intentionality, it's a word we have used often with our Benedictine toolbox book and we need to pay attention to where the scriptures are leading us again this Sunday. We seem to be in the same place, just with different imagery. So why, why are we led here again to where tough times exist and hope for a difference is being planted?
It comes back to being intentional. When we our intention is set, and I mean set, on Jesus' coming and the laying of all things becomes equal, easier it is our paying attention which will help this come forth. Last week we talked about the paradox of tough times and the promise and hope of better times. Now we are drawn into this imagery again so we must pay attention.
Sometimes there are things we miss when we are distracted and don't pay attention to something right in front of us. It can be the same with scripture, we become too familiar with the stories and think we know where it is heading. Part of our job is to keep focusing and repetition asks us to look once again. What is different in this scripture than last weeks? Why are we emphasizing hope into bad times? What do we need to look at more carefully?
This week we are asked to look at one thing different and it comes in John the Baptist's action of asking people to repent for the forgiveness of sins. Now repentance means to turn, it's one of the things we are being asked to do in observing The Way of Love that our Presiding Bishop has put forth. Turn to Jesus.
We are supposed to be followers of Jesus, just as the first disciples were followers. They had to leave everything they knew and Peter in this gospel will tell Jesus he is not fit to do this and still Jesus calls him. If we look under the resources page for turn on The Way of Love website there are many interpretations of this. Here are a few: why do we promise to turn and follow Christ today?; finding joy in the confessional; discernment; the church has fallen away from the dream of following and merely worships; evangelism matters. This could open up a whole new way to turn and follow. The real thing is we need to be intentional about it.
This is advent. Not just watching and waiting which are passive things, but being intentional about this walk we have with Christ. Will we repent and forgive ourselves, others, and each other? Will we choose to follow Jesus? Will we fill this advent more thoughtfully and internationally?
Yes, the hard times exist and we are finding our way in our own wilderness. One in which we see shrinking numbers and the ending of Christendom. Will we be afraid or will we turn and follow.
Follow with more focus, follow to be called to new things, and follow to hear what God might be saying to us.
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