Sitting with the Sacred

Readings for December 8th:

1. Zephaniah 3:14–18a
2. Isaiah 12:2–3, 4, 5–6
3. Philippians 4:4–7
4. Luke 3:10–18

What stands out to me from this week’s readings:

I generally think of the readings for this season being about God’s people rejoicing because God is with them, drawing them close. I especially think this about the readings for the third week of Advent. Or I did until I actually read the passages.

This week’s first reading says that God rejoices in God’s people. The psalm reflects what I expect to read in this week’s readings. Together, the readings describe the relationship between God and God’s people.

The epistle describes how prayer strengthens that relationship. It’s a relationship that needs trust, openness, and gratitude to thrive. It’s a relationship that when nurtured, calms anxieties and prompts rejoicing. It’s a relationship that spreads its qualities to other relationships. The gospel passage supports this message about the effects of a relationship with God on relationships with others. It also reminds me that my relationships with others, and indeed, with all of creation, affect the strength of my connection with God.

The strength of God’s love never changes. In other words, God never stops rejoicing over us because we are not our sins and shortcomings. We’re God’s children, expressions of God’s love. Imagine the connection between a person and God like the connection between two phones. God is represented by one of the phones, and God never cuts off communication. Rather, it’s the phones of our minds, hearts and souls that often don’t receive the strongest signals.

What I’m saying (to the readings and beyond) this week:

The truth of everything I typed above is just sitting on the surface of my consciousness. Lord, let Your love permeate my being.

What someone else is sharing about this week’s readings:

What great wisdom in the Church’s tradition, to put a day for joy in this season of stillness, to remind us that joy comes when we slow down, when we accept silence and waiting and inactivity, and when we remember that everything good is a gift from God. Yes, indeed, Advent is a time for joy.

Kate Ward

Check out the full reflection on the readings for December 15th that includes this quote.

This week’s prayer:

Lord, help me experience and share Your joy. Amen.