John 1:1-5 (NASB)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life,and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The Divine Logos, Agent of creation, Eternal with the Father, Lord over all, is the Life of humanity. True humanity. Humanity reconstituted as it was always meant to be. Formed-in-the-Image-of-God humanity. Through Christ this image, tarnished by Sin's presence in the world, is restored. The Light of this Life shines through the darkness which is in the world for the sake of the world. For the whole world. Followers of Jesus are bearers of this light.
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Mark 13:33-37 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. 35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” Just as temptation overtook the disciples in the hours before Jesus' death, so too believers must live watchfully so as to not stumble. The hour of the Lord's return is unknown and comes suddenly. In spite of the unknown timing of this event, Christ assures his followers that he will indeed return, an assurance which must inspire faithfulness in those who call upon his name. I'll be following an advent reading schedule from Catholic.org this season and thought I'd post the readings with some reflections for those wanting to follow along.
Romans 13:11-14 (NASB) 11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Love is the fulfillment of the Law (Rom. 13:10), and those who have God's Spirit are equipped to love with the love of God. It is the Spirit who equips us to clothe ourselves in light rather than darkness, in Christ rather than Sin. It is the Spirit who enables us to live in accordance with the divine calling of God, to be a people dedicated to the service of God and others. Love is the fulfillment of the Law. 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 (NASB) 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge-- 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. God's favor allows his people to follow in the faithfulness of Jesus. Christ is both our faithful example and the one whose faithfulness we share in when we walk in union with him. It is God's faithful activities through Christ and the Spirit that ensure those who follow him of their favorable outcome in the day of the Lord. |
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