Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:1-9
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Luke 21: 25-36
As I write this in August, our televisions are still bombarding us with visual clips of the horror of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Our theme this Advent is “Waiting in Silence.” There is no silence, no peace in Gaza, nor in Israel. There is no time to wait. However, in our readings today, Jeremiah reminds us that God is the bearer of hope, and, justice. God is faithful. God makes and keeps promises.
“The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfil the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety.”
God, we are waiting in silence and in peace because we have this opportunity here in Canada. I pray that, wherever you live, this opportunity is yours as well.
Paul tells us in the Thessalonian reading: “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all.”
As we yearn for peace and justice in Israel and in Gaza and know that there is little we can do to help, I believe it is incumbent upon us to strive to love unconditionally all those with whom we come in contact. When we can do this, we shine as beacons of hope, and lovers of justice wherever we are.
– Doreen Davidson
