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In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
Wednesday 3rd
Week of Advent
St. Luke Institute
December 18, 2013
FREED FROM EGYPT ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Today Jeremiah says the coming Messiah, the king
to come, will be the “righteous shoot”
Ø
The text tells of how the Israelites have always
referred to the Lord as the one who brought them out of slavery in Egypt
FREED FROM BABYLON
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Now, in different circumstances, they speak of
the Lord who brought them back from exile, “up from the land of the north”
FREED FROM SIN ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
In the Gospel the angel says, “You are to name him Jesus, because he will
save his people from their sins”
ALL 3 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Between the two texts we have three ways of
looking at or speaking of what the Lord does:
Ø
He saves his people from harsh servitude
Ø
He brings them back from exile
Ø
And he saves them from sin
HOW’S THE FIT? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
One of the 3 should fit each of us specifically
Ø
Either, #1 we have been under the
domination of some habit or tendency which has amounted to a kind of slavery
Ø
Or #2 we have simply been distant
from God – in exile; our prayer life has been perfunctory and superficial; we
have not developed a genuine relation with God
Ø
Or #3 we have sinned in some way
which has cast a dark shadow over our life
INTERCHANGEABILITY
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
While being in exile, slavery, and sin have
different tonalities, each can also be used interchangeable for our situation
Ø
To lack a close relation to God is a kind of
exile
Ø
To be under the domination of the world’s
standards and values is a kind of slavery
CONCLUSION
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Whichever it is, or even all three, our Advent
cry the same
Ø
“Jesus, come, save us from our sins; be Emmanuel
for us, be God with us in all the moments of this day”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
