Saturday, December 7, 2019
Jude 17-25
17 But you, beloved, must remember the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 for they said to you, ‘In the last time there will be scoffers, indulging their own ungodly lusts.’ 19 It is these worldly people, devoid of the Spirit, who are causing divisions. 20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; 21 keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on some who are wavering; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; and have mercy on still others with fear, hating even the tunic defiled by their bodies.
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and for ever. Amen.
Reflection:
Today, Jude highlights the second aspect of the first week of Advent, namely our responsibility to live out our faith actively before the world. Followers of Christ are told to “build themselves up” and to “pray in the Holy Spirit” because enacting these practices helps unify Christ’s body, the Church. Notice that even as we look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, we’re to have mercy on those who wavering in their faith. With that in mind, ask yourself where God is leading you to display mercy on those wavering in their faith. As we wait for the coming King, we should do so in a posture of active, loving ministry. It is our calling and even our joy to participate in it.
Collect for the First Week of Advent:
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in 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.
Jude 17-25
17 But you, beloved, must remember the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 for they said to you, ‘In the last time there will be scoffers, indulging their own ungodly lusts.’ 19 It is these worldly people, devoid of the Spirit, who are causing divisions. 20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; 21 keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on some who are wavering; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; and have mercy on still others with fear, hating even the tunic defiled by their bodies.
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and for ever. Amen.
Reflection:
Today, Jude highlights the second aspect of the first week of Advent, namely our responsibility to live out our faith actively before the world. Followers of Christ are told to “build themselves up” and to “pray in the Holy Spirit” because enacting these practices helps unify Christ’s body, the Church. Notice that even as we look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, we’re to have mercy on those who wavering in their faith. With that in mind, ask yourself where God is leading you to display mercy on those wavering in their faith. As we wait for the coming King, we should do so in a posture of active, loving ministry. It is our calling and even our joy to participate in it.
Collect for the First Week of Advent:
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in 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.
