Weekly Liturgy : December 8-14
- John
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Matthew 11:2-11
NIV
When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
REFLECTION
from John
Advent is about waiting. For four weeks, we confront our waiting for the world to be made right.
But none of us want to wait forever. We long for signs that the world might actually be saved, that our suffering is ending, that one day we won’t have to surrender to the torrent of oblivion.
I imagine John had a similar longing from the inside of his prison cell. As the story suggests, he wants to know if Jesus is the guy who has come to do the saving.
Jesus’s response amounts to “yes.” But not the way we expect. He doesn’t promise to fix the world by taking power for the sake of John or any of the rest of us. Instead, he just says that people who are often overlooked are being served and enjoying being alive more than they were before.
This Advent, may our hope be found in the spaces and among the humans who couldn’t save the world, even if they tried. May we find our own salvation clothed and smelling like them. And may we be encouraged that a new kingdom is still on its way, and is already among us.
PRACTICE:
Outward Mindset Application
Pay attention to 3 people in or your orbit this week. Look for behaviors that you appreciate in them. Tell each of those 3 people what you appreciate.
Non-Violent Communication Question of the Week
Consider a relationship in your life that is less than satisfactory right now. What needs do you have that you are expecting the other person to fulfill. Have you communicated those needs?
Pathways toward Centeredness
Tradition (Engaging in ritual and symbol):
We’re in the season of Advent. Find an advent calendar, preferably with daily practices, and engage each day this week.
Questions for Reflection
What are the signs of a world-made-right that you look for? Are any of those signs the same ones that Jesus names in response to John?
“Liturgy” refers to the habits and practices humans use to form community around shared values and meaning. At Church at the Park, we desire to be a community of practice, becoming people who see the world through the eyes of the marginalized, making meaning through the lens of pain and suffering, and committing ourselves to non-violence in a wounded world. This weekly email is intended to provide pathways of practice for becoming the type of people who embody these values.
Many of our reflections on each week's text come from other sources. If you're interested in reading more of what inspires us, here our our two favorite reflections.
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