Daily Reflection – Dec 10, 2015

Thursday 10 December 2015

First Reading: Isaiah 41:13-20
Psalm Response:
The Lord is kind and merciful; slow to anger, and rich in compassion
Psalm 144(145):1, 9-13
Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:11-15

Today’s Note: Thursday of the Second Week of Advent

Gospel Reading:

Jesus said to the crowds:
“Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
From the days of John the Baptist until now,
the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence,
and the violent are taking it by force.
All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John.
And if you are willing to accept it,
he is Elijah, the one who is to come.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

Reflection:

“Lord, you are near. All your commandments are just; long have I known that you have decreed them forever.”

God’s self-expression to the people of Israel is Torah, the Law with its 613 commandments. God’s self-expression to Christians is Jesus. We don’t ask “what would Jesus do?” When we do, speak, serve, be, it “is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me” (Gal 2:20). Paul was “perfect” in keeping the 613 commands, he wrote to the Philippians (ch 3) and counts it so much garbage for the sake of knowing Christ Jesus. When we are young, we need law, boundaries (Gal 4), but as adults Christ has set us free from law (Gal 5). It is easier to “measure” our “progress” if we can tally up commandments kept. How much more difficult to believe, to trust that Christ is growing us in wisdom and grace.

How does God express God’s own self to you now? How can you listen more deeply to Christ and incorporate him more fully? Examine each task you will do today and see how it is Christ living in you who works, who speaks, who loves. Offer all you do in word and in work for the glory of God, to give God joy!

For freedom you have set us free, Lord so very near. Show us what traps us, and help us work for freedom for those enslaved by trafficking, addictions, abusive relationships.