Consider the Word, November 25, 2021 Advent I

Consider the Word, November 25, 2021
Advent I
Email stpauls@pei.aibn.com for the link to the Bible Study.
 
Readings for November 28:

• Jeremiah 33:14-16
• Psalm 25:1-9
• 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
• Luke 21:25-36

 
Collect

Almighty God,

give us grace to cast away the works of darkness

and put on the armour of light,

now in the time of this mortal life

in which your Son Jesus Christ

came to us in great humility,

that on the last day,

when he shall come again in his glorious majesty

to judge both the living and the dead,

we may rise to the life immortal;

through him who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 
Reading: Luke 21:25-36

Jesus said, "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

 
Reflection Questions

1. How is this “parable” more of an observation and a warning than a story with a moral?
2. How is this reading an expression of the need for patience, endurance, and trust in life?
3. How might we experience the nearness of the kingdom of God?

 
Closing Prayer

O God of all the prophets,

you herald the coming of the Son of Man

by wondrous signs in the heavens and on the earth.

Guard our hearts from despair so that we,

in the company of the faithful

and by the power of your Holy Spirit,

may be found ready to raise our heads

at the coming near of our redemption,

the day of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 
The Message: Luke 21:25-36

25-26 “It will seem like all hell has broken loose—sun, moon, stars, earth, sea, in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-be quaking.

 

27-28 “And then—then!—they’ll see the Son of Man welcomed in grand style—a glorious welcome! When all this starts to happen, up on your feet. Stand tall with your heads high. Help is on the way!”

 

29-33 He told them a story. “Look at a fig tree. Any tree for that matter. When the leaves begin to show, one look tells you that summer is right around the corner. The same here—when you see these things happen, you know God’s kingdom is about here. Don’t brush this off: I’m not just saying this for some future generation, but for this one, too—these things will happen. Sky and earth will wear out; my words won’t wear out.

 

34-36 “But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t fall asleep at the wheel. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.”

The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson