The Work of the Messiah
November 6th, 2009WORLD COMMUNITY DAY
Friday’s Reflection
THE WORK OF THE MESSIAH calls us to comfort the old, the weak, the marginalized, the oppressed, and the homeless, who may smell bad because they’re sleeping on the streets, under bridges, and on subway platforms. If we heed the call, we’re almost certain to surrender some of our own comfort. …
The work of the Messiah always has involved comforting the afflicted — and afflicting the comfortable. If we truly want to follow that Messiah, as we say we do, then our work is clearly the same.
- Jim Melchiorre
Reflections of Messiah: Contemporary Advent Meditations Inspired by Handel
From p. 16 of Reflections of Messiah: Contemporary Advent Meditations Inspired by Handel by Jim Melchiorre. Copyright © 2003 by the author. Used with permission of The Upper Room. All Rights Reserved. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Advent begins on November 29, 2009. Check out our Advent/Christmas resources.
Today’s Question
What is “the work of the Messiah” to which you are called today? Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture Reading
Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
- Hebrews 9:28, NRSV
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for caregivers. Add your prayer to the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Looking for clarity? Learn the Quaker way of the Clearness Committee to help with making tough decisions. Try it out.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Antoinette Brown Blackwell (November 5).
- Lectionary Readings:
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November 6th, 2009 at 6:12 am
Prayer.
Constant, unceasing prayer for this broken and pain-filled world, on this World Community Day.
How easy to forget about our brothers and sisters in the far reaches of the world.
How much easier to ignore the hurt and pain right under our noses, each and every day as we go about our busy, busy lives. I stop in this moment to pray for the Brothers and Sisters who write regularly in this space. Today may you find the peace of Jesus you desire, and share that peace with others.
Lord Jesus, we pray for open eyes and open ears and soft, loving hearts. Now I pray that as we receive them, we do not shy away from the pain that accompanies revelation, that instead we press on toward Jerusalem, eyes on the Cross, as You showed us.
Thank You, Lord, for all You have given me and done for me and in me. Now guide me as I seek to give and do for others. Show me how to be Jesus. Amen.
November 6th, 2009 at 6:33 am
I’m so blessed that I have begun to share in a ministry with people who are homeless, hungry and in despair. I say “blessed” because I believe I am where God wants me to be in this season of my life, and that God wants to work through me and the others who share in that ministry to bless the lives of these precious children of God. I pray that this is not a temporary thing, but that the heart of God will keep me humble and faithful in this vital ministry. I’m grateful, as well, for the way in which my new friends are a rich blessing in my life, as well.