Monday 2 December - Be Patient then and stand firm

Readings 

Psalm 130, Isaiah 35:1-10, Matthew 12:15-21, James 5:7-10 

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 

James 5:7-10

Reflection 

Hope is the thing with feathers,

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune without the words,

And never stops—at all.  (Emily Dickinson , 1934)

This definition of hope captures what many  of us have difficulty defining. Hope is not blind optimism, nor arrogant certainty or wishful thinking .  Hope is the knowledge that in spite of all the difficulties we face in this world God would not desert us. Hope gives strength to seek peace, demand justice and to envision  the world as God intended it to be.

Hope is knowing that God stepped in and continues to do so through you and me in the power of the Holy Spirit; even this day hope is in you.

Prayer

Comforting God,

I pray for all experiencing darkness and we pray that your light may shine on their pathway and in their hearts, that they may know that even in difficult times you walk alongside them.

For those who  struggle finding hope this day, may hope find them.

Amen