Psalm 16, 17 Amos 5: 1-17
Jude 1 – 16
Matthew 22: 1-14
Protect me. O God, for I take refuge in you . . . O God, you are my portion and my cup . . . In your presence there is fullness of joy. Psalm 16:1, 5, & 11
Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of hope and
anticipation, of preparation and longing for the incarnation,
of wondering “how will Christ be born anew in me this
year?” Advent raises the hope that this year, the Reign of
Christ will bring about truth, reconciliation and justice to a
world hungry for peace. Psalm 16 is one of my favourite
psalms, familiar I expect because of its presence in
Compline. It resonates with a confidence that while
protecting me, God also counsels, instructs, supports, and
shows me the path to take. As I look forward to the
Incarnation, I also recognize the vulnerability, the poverty of
spirit of Christ and his reliance only on God, the ultimate
parent. It makes me wonder how I can put aside my fears
and anxieties and live as one with Christ. What do I need to
do, to live a life of simplicity, transfixed on God and God
alone? Reflecting on this National Day of Remembrance and
Action against Violence Against Women to commemorate
the 14 women killed in the Montreal Massacre at École
Polytechnique in 1989, I look at Christ who pushed and
breached the boundaries of his own time to eat, drink and
minister with women. If the Reign of Christ is to bring about
truth, reconciliation and justice, what am I being called to do
to help stop violence in the media, the increasing poverty of
women, the isolation of many seniors and the continuing
alienation of our immigrant and aboriginal sisters and
brothers?
O God, help me to be fully present to your wounded children, to be fully present to your presence and willing to act for the One who is the Prince of Peace.
–– Doreen Davidson
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