Day 11 of Advent, 12/14/23: A Gentle Forcefulness (Mt 11:12)

Violent men forcefully take hold of the Kingdom of Heaven. My preferred translation of the ambiguous Matthew 11:12 is from the 1984 NIV (which differs from the current 2011 NIV): "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful [violent] men lay hold of it." ["...the enforcers snatch it" (Scot McKnight's translation)]

I've shared often that I have a Type A personality, which is ABCD: aggressive / aggravating, brutal / blunt, confrontational / confounding and doggedly determined (i.e. stubbornly stone headed, as my pastor had told me decades ago!). Last week a friend said that he prefers a Type C (Christ) personality, which I interpret as "consecrated and conformed to the character of Christ." Yes, I desire Type C, but unfortunately my Type A within me dies hard, or even refuses to die as it resurfaces time and again.

Day 9 of Advent reflection, 12/12/23: Hail Mary, Full of Grace (Luke 1:28)

"And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women" (Luke 1:28, Douay–Rheims Bible).

This is the first time I'm reading about the appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the 16th century in Mexico, which led to millions of conversions to Christ. Protestants such as myself have for the most part disregarded such apparitions of the Virgin Mary recorded in history. There are also reports of Jesus appearing to some people, in particular to Muslims, leading to their conversion. I used to disregard such accounts due to my cerebral "heady" disposition and to my own spiritual formation and conversion through reading and studying Scripture. Genesis 2:17 was the verse that led to my conversion in 1980. But I no longer disregard such miraculous accounts, as I did in the past, as God can surely choose to reveal Himself in whatever way He chooses--through the Bible, through books, through sermons, and even through visions and apparitions.

Day 8 of Advent, 12/10/23: The Gospel of the Son of God (Mk 1:1)

"The beginning of the good news (gospel) about Jesus the Messiah (Christ), the Son of God" (Mk 1:1).

What is the good news to me? Who is the King of my life? Confronting the Powers That Be by Bishop Barron.

We Christians are so familiar with the gospel/good news, such as John 3:16, without realizing the original context. When the apostles used the term evangelion, i.e. good news, it was typically used to describe a military victory by the Emperor, who sent out "evangelists" with this good news.

Also, "Son of God" was a title claimed by Caesar. But the apostles insisted that only Christ is the Son of God, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, which would be a direct challenge to the authority and the powers and principalities of the world.

The good news of the Son of God is the most subversive message, and not necessarily a feel good message that will be welcomed by many, especially by those in positions of power and privilege.

Day 6 of Advent, 12/8/23, Hail Mary, Full of Grace (Lk 1:26-38)

Most Protestants probably don't know (I didn't know) that Dec 8 of every year is the day devout Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

I'll start this Advent reflection with a prayer: I pray that Protestants and Catholics may love each other in Christ, rather than strongly denounce the other over differences.

"Greetings, you who are highly favored [Hail, full of grace]! The Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28). "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled" (Lk 1:38).

It is interesting that Catholics and Protestants stress different aspects of this very familiar Advent passage. Catholics emphasize Mary's unique calling and privilege as a holy vessel to bring forth the Holy Son of God into the world (Luke 1:28), while Protestants emphasize her godly submission, surrender and costly obedience to the will of God upon her life (Luke 1:38). Her privilege is the grace of God and her obedience is her response to God's grace.

Day 4 of Advent, 12/06/23: Give Away What You Receive (Mt 15:36-37)

"Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied.  Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over" (Mt 15:36-37).

Day 3 of Advent, 12/05/23: The Mystery of the Trinity (Luke 10:21)

Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children" (Lk 10:21).

1st, the mystery of our Trinitarian God: God the Son, through God the Holy Spirit prays to and praises God the Father. How is the Trinity relevant and how does this relate to man and his life? My simplistic thought is that since we are created in God's image, we are also "Trinitarian." We have head, heart and hands, through which we have cognition, emotion and volition, and so we can think, feel and do things. Unless my Trinitarian self is in sync, I can never have peace and joy, i.e. shalom, a wholeness in the totality of my being. If what I want (heart) does not coincide with what I know (head) and do (hands), I will never have shalom--peace and joy. If I enjoy the world when I know I should enjoy God, his kingdom and his righteousness, I will not have shalom. Sorry for being technical and cerebral!

Day 2 of Advent, 12/4/23: Just Say the Word (Matthew 8:8)

A Roman centurion asked Jesus to heal his sick dying servant by saying, "But just say the word, and my servant will be healed" (Mt 8:8; Lk 7:7). He didn't think it necessary for Jesus to come and heal him in person by placing his hands on him, but to "just say the word," because he understood Jesus' authority as a centurion with authority over 100 Roman soldiers whom he knows will do whatever he says. He is the only person Jesus commended for having "such great faith" (Mt 8:10; Lk 7:9). [Watch Season 3 of The Chosen.]