Collect and Readings for The Second Sunday before Advent – Malachi 4.1-2a, Psalm 98,    

2 Thessalonians 3.6-13, Luke 21.5-19

The Prayer for today

Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son was revealed to destroy the works of the devil and to make

us the children of God and heirs of eternal life: grant that we, having this hope, may purify

ourselves even as he is pure; that when he shall appear in power and great glory we may be

made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he is alive and reigns with you, in the

unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Gospel for this week makes terrifying reading. The seemingly solid beauty of the temple seems to have triggered in Jesus a vision of the world from outside time. Like a speeded -up film we scan the great cosmic cycles and seasons, natural disasters and human agonies, as the earth labours towards its time of accomplishment.

Amongst the terror, distress, upheavals and ructions are scattered the bright lights of individuals who are unperturbed and faithful those who are not drawn into the panic but remain steadfast, strong as rocks in their perseverance.

We may well wonder how we could ever survive; what hope there could possibly be of us joining the number of those who will win eternal life by their endurance. Certainly, Jesus is anxious to stress that it will not be an easy ride, nor a natural consequence of setting out with enthusiasm on the Christian journey. We can’t take our salvation for granted and then sit back with our feet up.

We are warned of what to expect to enable us to be prepared, and the important truth is that we shall not be doing all this on our own or in our own strength. We will be yoked up with Jesus, sustained by his power and provided with the right words and the necessary courage. Only one second at a time will be expected of us!

There is no way church congregations or individual Christians will be able to shut their doors and hide away from the troubles and threats of the world. Our place is right in the centre of the action, getting involved, and standing up for what is right and just, whatever the personal consequences may be.

Some things to reflect on:

·       What are the dangers of spiritual idleness, both personally and corporately, and how can we guard against it sidling into our lives?

·       What are the effects of opposition and persecution on people’s faith?

God bless and stay safe and well.

Rev’d Fiona Robinson