December 7th Advent Reflection

Romans 15:4

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness, and by the encouragement of the scriptures, we might have life.

Sometimes we forget that Paul wrote his letters before there were any Gospels.  His only scriptures were what we call the Hebrew scriptures.  Jesus, too, read and learned from them.  Paul cites Psalm 69:9 to show that, when Jesus laid down his life for others, he was following an earlier command. 

These are Jesus’ family stories, as they are ours, along with our New Testament.  Paul reminds us that Jesus calls us to acts of love, kindness and mercy, an ancient Hebrew tradition that Jesus now brings to life in his birth, life and death here on earth.

Holy One, in this Advent season, grant us the strength and wisdom to follow in the tradition of the ancient prophets and of Jesus himself, by being kind, loving and generous to those we know and those we meet, and to the stranger in our midst.  Amen.                         

ME