Sunday November 27th, 2016 1st Sunday of Advent Matthew 24:36-44
"Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour." (verse 44)
One of the people in our congregation is a young sheep farmer. When lambing season comes around, he is on high alert. Every three hours he needs to check on the ewes for signs of labour and to care for any newborn lambs. When labour begins, he must watch carefully to determine what assistance the ewes require and when. Because birthing lambs can be unpredictable, lambing demands his full attention.
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus advises his followers that they must be equally attentive to living as his disciples. He informs them that the Father alone and no one else, not even him, knows when the Son of Man will come. Therefore, to be ready for that unexpected moment, their energy should be focused on living fully as his disciples. That way they will be prepared for whatever comes.
The beginning of Advent is a good time for us to refocus our lives. What changes will come if we devote our energy to what truly matters? How will doing that enable us to live more fully as Jesus’ disciples? Living more deeply in Christ’s way may enable us to faithfully respond to whatever life brings our way.
Coming One, keep us ready to receive you this day. Amen. — CST
Contributed by Ready For Anything
One of the people in our congregation is a young sheep farmer. When lambing season comes around, he is on high alert. Every three hours he needs to check on the ewes for signs of labour and to care for any newborn lambs. When labour begins, he must watch carefully to determine what assistance the ewes require and when. Because birthing lambs can be unpredictable, lambing demands his full attention.
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus advises his followers that they must be equally attentive to living as his disciples. He informs them that the Father alone and no one else, not even him, knows when the Son of Man will come. Therefore, to be ready for that unexpected moment, their energy should be focused on living fully as his disciples. That way they will be prepared for whatever comes.
The beginning of Advent is a good time for us to refocus our lives. What changes will come if we devote our energy to what truly matters? How will doing that enable us to live more fully as Jesus' disciples? Living more deeply in Christ's way may enable us to faithfully respond to whatever life brings our way.
