Advent: Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

Amos 7:10-17

Amos wasn't a trained priest. He's wasn't a learned prophet. He was simply someone God had called to do something, and he did it. God doesn't always call the most qualified, the ones that look like they'd be the ideal candidates. God calls the willing, God calls the ones that would be willing do what He says, go where He sends, speak what He lays on their heart.

Today, God will not just call the perfect, He will call you and me. God will have something special, something divine, for us each of us. We just have to respond. Where is He calling you today. He is calling. May we listen for His voice.

New Testament Lesson

Revelation 1:9-16

We see that John is given this word while in prison on Patmos. One of the mistakes we can make is that if we assume we follow Jesus, everything will be perfect, nothing bad will ever happen. That is not true. Following Jesus is not a magical amulet that protect us from all harm. We are not promised that bad thing will not happen. John, here, is in prison for his faith after all.

What we are promised is this - God will never leave nor forsake us. No matter what happens in life today, God will be by your side. He will not leave you. He will not forget you. He will not abandon you. He will be with you. Trust in Him today, and always. He will not forget His children.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 22:34-46

Love of God, love of neighbor. That's it, that's the list. That's what we are called to do. That's who we are called to be. That's how we are called to live. Loving God, loving neighbor. That's the goal of the Christian life, that's the purpose and plan God has for us. That's the highest goal we can have today, and each day. To love our God will all that we have and love our neighbor as ourselves. That's what we are called to do today and each day. Love. God. Neighbor. That's it. Let's be about that.