Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the Second Week of Advent: Year 2
Morning, Psalm 30 and 32; Evening, Psalm 42 and 43;
Haggai 2:1 to 9; Revelation 3:1 to 6; Matthew 24:1 to 14:
“And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But anyone who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Mathew 24:12 to 14)
Lawlessness has surely made its presence known today with the U. S. Capital insurrection and now the smash and grabbing at retail stores; even smash and grabbing at hardware stores in order to get the tools needed for smashing and grabbing at high end retail stores. This is so sad.
The good news is that if we endure to the end, we will be saved in a way we never imagined! God is so good and very loyal to those of us who endure to the end. We just need to keep holding on for as long as it takes. The faithless will not understand and will harass us. But we are to keep the faith no matter what. In addition to keeping our faith, we must also show disapproval of bad actors. We can’t condone bad and sinful behavior by individuals, groups, or nations.
The world is also fighting Covid and there is concern around major countries wanting to take over other countries. There are two things we should watch for; first, is the anarchy that takes place; and second, is the coming of its end. These are sad times all over the face of the earth. But good news is coming. “And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations;” and then the end of this sadness will come. The good news may not be cosmic. It may be people of faith saying no to hostility of all kinds, and at the same time, doing what is necessary to end or substantially reduce the effects of Covid.
We never know how God will act in our midst. The only thing we can be sure of is that God will act, and God will act in bold and loving ways. All we have to do is hold on while following God’s lead by also acting in bold and loving ways.
As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 