Sunday Scriptures and Reflection Questions for November 28

The First Sunday of Advent, Year A

November 28, 2010

How to use this page:

Print this and read a different passage each day and think about it.  Some questions are offered to help stimulate your reflection.  You'll find your experience of worship on Sunday will be intensified.

For a method to read and pray with the scriptures you might try to use the ancient practice of Lectio Divina (Divine Reading).  We've written some instructions on how to use Lectio with the Sunday Scriptures at the following link: Using Lectio Divina to pray the lections

We use the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary.

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The Collect

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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The Lessons 

Isaiah 2:1-5

Psalm 122

Romans 13:11-14

Matthew 24:36-44

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Isaiah 2:1-5
The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

In days to come
   the mountain of the LORD's house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
    and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
    Many peoples shall come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
    to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
    and that we may walk in his paths."
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
    and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
    and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
    and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
    neither shall they learn war any more.
O house of Jacob,
    come, let us walk
   in the light of the LORD!

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Isaiah has a vision of peace and wisdom for Israel. 
Describe your highest vision for our nation.
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Psalm 122

I was glad when they said to me, *
     "Let us go to the house of God."

Now our feet are standing *
      within your gates, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built as a city *
      that is at unity with itself;

To which the tribes go up,

the tribes of the Holy One, *
      the assembly of Israel,
      to praise the Name of God.

For there are the thrones of judgment, *
      the thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: *
      "May they prosper who love you.

Peace be within your walls *
      and quietness within your towers.

For my kindred and companions' sake, *
      I pray for your prosperity.

Because of the house of the Holy One our God, *
      I will seek to do you good."

The Saint Helena Psalter

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What would it mean to be "a city that is at unity with itself"?

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Romans 13:11-14
 

You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

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What is it time for you to wake up about and change?

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Matthew 24:36-24

Jesus said to the disciples, "But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."
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In what ways are you not ready to finish your life.
What do you need to do about that?
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