Friday 18 December 2020

Today is Friday the 18 December, in the 3rd week of Advent.

The Gaudete Ensemble conducted by Eamon Dougamn sing 'O Clavis David' by Margaret Rizza. "O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel; you open and no one can shut; you shut and no one can open". What does this music stir in you as you begin your time of prayer today?

Today's reading is from the Prophet Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 23:5-8

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

Therefore, the days are surely coming, says the Lord, when it shall no longer be said, ‘As the Lord lives who brought the people of Israel up out of the land of Egypt, but ‘As the Lord lives who brought out and led the offspring of the house of Israel out of the land of the north and out of all the lands where he had driven them.’ Then they shall live in their own land.

Let your imagination roam over time today.  Cast your mind back a year, ten years, a hundred years, a thousand.  And now forward to the years to come.  Can you allow time to be in God’s hands?

The prophet Jeremiah lived during unstable political times…  Here he predicts the arrival of a wise king, who will rule with justice, and do what is right.  A descendant of David.  The Messiah.  Jesus.  Imagine how you might have reacted to those words spoken at the time as a downtrodden servant.  Or as a well-paid official in a corrupt government.  Or a mother of a hungry family. 

How do you react to the words, yourself, now?

As you listen to the passage again, reflect on these contrasts: justice, injustice; integrity, corruption; danger, safety.   

How does the arrival of Jesus the Messiah make a difference?  Do you have a role to play?  In this season of Advent, wait in the presence of God who brings us Jesus himself.  Speak to Him now in the quietness of these moments.

O Wisdom

Lord and Ruler

Root of Jesse

Key of David

Rising Sun

King of the Nations

Emmanuel

Come, Lord Jesus