Revelation 22:1-7
Psalm 95:1-2, 3-5, 6-7ab
Luke 21:34-36
Sometimes, words used in scripture seem to jump out at you, right off the page! Today's gospel starts with the word Beware. We don't usually use that word unless we perceive danger, such as: "Beware, Bridge Out Ahead!" Jesus warns us to be vigilant so that we will be prepared to stand before the Son of Man.
We have the realistic image of Jesus as the gentle, loving One, the Good Shepherd. We need to remind ourselves that Jesus, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, will return as the Judge of us all.
The gospel warns that our hearts might become "drowsy" if we are carousing and prone to drunkenness, and that is understandable, but "busy with the anxieties of life" applies to most of us. It is a reminder that we need to set time aside to nourish our relationship with Christ, but also to have Him be a part of our every moment through our prayer intentions. It means letting Him continue His ministry through us. The anxieties of daily living will probably not go away. So, putting that probability into context, if Christ is not the center of our lives, who/what is?
Advents Blessings
Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Bendigo Australia
