Advent 1
Devotional
Water From the Rock
Lectionary Devotional for Cycle C
Object:
How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?
-- 1 Thessalonians 3:9
In our individualistic society, we often neglect the power of the faith of the larger body to affect our lives. In this letter, Paul was writing to the Thessalonians in a time in which he himself was enduring considerable persecution and suffering (1 Thessalonians 3:4, 7). Timothy had just returned with a report that the Thessalonians had been keeping Paul and his companions in their thoughts and prayers.
For Paul, such awareness gave him strength in his own experience. "For this reason, brothers and sisters, during all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you through your faith. For we now live, if you continue to stand firm in the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-8). It is also important to note that Paul was strengthened by their prayers even though he was fully aware that they were far from perfect in their faith. "Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith" (v. 10). We are not only strengthened by those who have developed a maturity in the faith but also by those who still have a long way to go.
As we enter this season of Advent and make preparation for celebrating the birth of Christ, it is important that we keep in mind the corporate expression of our faith made manifest in the body of Christ. The community of faith reaches around the world and each part is strengthened by the prayers of the other parts. Some of these communities of Christ are experiencing persecution and are in need of our prayers. Other churches within our community are experiencing stress and conflict and are also in need of our prayers and concern. The great commandment of loving God and loving neighbor finds corporate manifestation as we become aware of and pray for each other. "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you" (v. 12). Perhaps praying for other parts of the body of Christ would be an important focus for all of us as we enter Advent.
-- 1 Thessalonians 3:9
In our individualistic society, we often neglect the power of the faith of the larger body to affect our lives. In this letter, Paul was writing to the Thessalonians in a time in which he himself was enduring considerable persecution and suffering (1 Thessalonians 3:4, 7). Timothy had just returned with a report that the Thessalonians had been keeping Paul and his companions in their thoughts and prayers.
For Paul, such awareness gave him strength in his own experience. "For this reason, brothers and sisters, during all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you through your faith. For we now live, if you continue to stand firm in the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-8). It is also important to note that Paul was strengthened by their prayers even though he was fully aware that they were far from perfect in their faith. "Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith" (v. 10). We are not only strengthened by those who have developed a maturity in the faith but also by those who still have a long way to go.
As we enter this season of Advent and make preparation for celebrating the birth of Christ, it is important that we keep in mind the corporate expression of our faith made manifest in the body of Christ. The community of faith reaches around the world and each part is strengthened by the prayers of the other parts. Some of these communities of Christ are experiencing persecution and are in need of our prayers. Other churches within our community are experiencing stress and conflict and are also in need of our prayers and concern. The great commandment of loving God and loving neighbor finds corporate manifestation as we become aware of and pray for each other. "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you" (v. 12). Perhaps praying for other parts of the body of Christ would be an important focus for all of us as we enter Advent.
