Monday, November 28, 2016

Monday, November 28, 2016
Luke 18: 35 - 43

As we begin our Advent journey towards Christmas I think it is appropriate that we begin with the theme of Hope. Without Hope the other themes of Peace, Joy and Love would be much more difficult to maintain. Perhaps you might wonder why I chose this passage of Scripture for a meditation on Hope at Christmas.  Hearing it at a service recently it struck me that it had a lot to tell us about the quality of Hope. Without hope the blind man would never have approached Jesus for help. Unlike just wishing for something, perhaps unrealistic, or magical it is based on something more tangible. The blind beggar must have heard stories of Jesus' healing people. He must have believed this was no ordinary man passing by. He must have heard that Jesus cared for people like him and despite the resistance of the people around him he had hope that his persistence would be heard.

As we travel on this Advent journey let us be open to see and hear those signs of Hope that are all around us. Let us be persistent in looking for the good news events that happen every day.  Where is God working in the world?  There is so much that seems disheartening in today's news and yet if we are open to them there are "slivers of gold" among the "patches of gray". (John Bell)

May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15: 13)

- Jean Gandon