Tuesday in the Third Week of Advent, Year B
15 December 2020
Are we there yet?
Reading: Psalm 126
Scripture: “Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.” (Psalm 126:2-4)
Reflection: Are we yet at the place of spiritual stability and maturity where it is possible that our mouths can be filled with laughter and our tongues sing for joy despite the current maddening pandemic reality? Are we yet there? Are we able to shut out the distractions, the fears and the sadness that often rule our minds and overwhelm us to the point where we find ourselves wavering in our faith?
Are we able to see all the great things that God has done and continues to do for us, despite the fear and all the negatives around us? For, we are alive, and despite our many problems, some of which have been self-imposed, there is always much for which we can be thankful. especially if we move the focus from ourselves and instead look around and appreciate the beauty of nature, the love and joy of healthy relationships, the comfort of friendships and the miracle of life. Are we yet there?
For it is only when we can recognize His hand at work in our lives, during the storms and the calm; that we can experience joy that is real and deep and which comes not only in the good time but also from the reassurance we feel when we let go in full and complete surrender and allow Him to work in and through us to fulfill His will for us and for the world. Are we yet there?
It is most likely that we might be able to imagine without much difficulty, what the riches associated with the watercourses of the Negeb might have looked like given the extent of the prayers, petitions and pleadings of the people to be restored to a life that manifested the Negeb’s fortunes. They must have gone through difficult times similar in distress as the current period in which we live. But as believers we can overcome the hurdles, for, through Him, we are able. In Him we have the strength, and all other resources to ride out this and any “storm”. It is our duty then to in turn help our fellow man, look out for the downtrodden, the voiceless, those more broken than we are, and share the message of joy in Christ that comes from the hope we have that He is with us and will fulfill His promise to never leave us.
Edward Hayes Plumptre the hymn-writer speaks to us from his grave in the words of the Hymn #427 in the CPWI hymnal: “Through all the changing scenes of life, in trouble and in joy, the praises of my God shall still my heart and tongue employ.”
Meditation: We each have so much to be thankful for, so, “O, magnify the Lord with me, with me exalt His name; when in distress to Him I called, He to my rescue came.”(CPWI Hymnal #427) Prayer: O Lord our God, You have shown us time and again, Your love for us and, in that comes our joy. May we live lives that radiate that joy and inner peace. Thank You, thank You, thank You Lord. Amen. |
