Monday 4 December 2023

Today is Monday 4th of December in the first week of Advent.

The Porter’s Gate sings Benedictus: ‘Guiding our feet into the way of peace’. Spend time with these words as you enter into prayer today.

God in all your tender compassion
The dawn from on high, it will break on us
Shining on those living in shadow
Guiding our feet into the way of peace
You will guide our feet
You will guide our feet
You will guide our feet into peace
God in all your tender compassion
The dawn from on high, it will break on us
Shining on those living in shadow
Guiding our feet into the way of peace
You will guide our feet
You will guide our feet
You will guide our feet into peace




Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah.

Isaiah 2:1-5

The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come
 the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
 and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
 Many peoples shall come and say,
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
 to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
 and that we may walk in his paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
 and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
 and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
 and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
 neither shall they learn war any more.
O house of Jacob,
 come, let us walk
 in the light of the Lord!

This scripture passage acts as our invitation to enter the season of Advent. Isaiah beckons us to climb the mountain of the Lord; to leave behind the distractions and busyness of the world below. How does this invitation fit into the reality of your life at this time?

Allow yourself a moment to imagine yourself above these distractions. Take a deep breath and allow your heart to open to the presence of God.

Can you, despite all that is going on in the world, envision a world where God's peace and justice reign? In a moment of reflection, ask the Lord, “Where are the challenges in my life that may be turned to opportunities for compassionate relationship?”

“How can I be an instrument of God's peace in the world?"

As you listen to the passage again, hear the certainty, the directness of God’s plan.

God will lead each of us in our pilgrimage through life. Will you allow this Advent to be a time to ‘walk in his paths’?

Pray for the guidance and grace to bring God’s peace in your own heart. Let us prepare the way for the coming of the Prince of Peace this Advent.

O Wisdom,
Lord and Ruler,
Root of Jesse,
Key of David,
Rising Sun,
King of the Nations,
Emmanuel.
Come, Lord Jesus.