Advent Daybook, 11: Woe
An Advent daybook for these 24 days of prayerful expectation. Join me, won't you?
For an introduction read this post: Advent Daybook explained. You can see previous Advent daybook 2018 posts here.
Note: If you're reading this in email, the formatting usually looks much better at the website. Just click the post title to get there.
Look: Frieze of Prophets, North Wall, 1895, John Singer Sargent
Mural at Boston Public Library - from left to right are Amos, Nahum, Ezekiel, Daniel, Elijah, Moses, Joshua, Jeremiah, Jonah, Isaiah, and Habakkuk. At center, the image of Moses is rendered in high plaster relief, bearing two tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments. (source)
Listen: “Let All Mortal Flesh” from Salvation Is Created, Bifrost Arts Music (lyrics)
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“In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”
And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.’”
*
”This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
*
”Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
your salvation according to your promise;
then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my hope is in your rules.
I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever,
and I shall walk in a wide place,
for I have sought your precepts.”
Sunday Scripture readings are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary (Year C). Daily Scripture readings are taken from the Book of Common Prayer (Year 1).
Pray & Do:
On Wednesdays through Advent we’ll practice a 5-minute contemplative prayer method adapted from Joshua Banner’s booklet “40 Ways To Spend 5 Minutes With God”.*
Read through today’s entire lectionary readings paying attention to what word or short phrase inspires you to meditate on ideas about God.
Seek out someone you find particularly thoughtful and ask them to discuss the word or phrase with you. This could be a phone call on the way to work, a planned coffee break at work with a co-worker, a topic for dinner conversation, or even a quick email to a friend or pastor.
Consider why this Scripture passages helps you make more sense of God, of yourself, of others, or the world.
Consider
Talk with someone about the word or phrase that inspired or puzzled you from today’s Scripture readings.
* Josh Banner is the Director of Invitation, a practice of spiritual formation through a podcast that is invigorated by the movements of the Holy Spirit in a prison. I’ve enjoyed this podcast for it’s guided meditations and gentle teaching on prayer. You can receive a copy of the excellent booklet “40 Ways To Spend 5 Minutes With God” and support The Invitation at the Kickstarter’s $15 level.
(See all Advent Daybook posts from 2017 here.)