All posts filed under: Advent

advent 2a reflection: you’re so vain

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Advent / Year A

Do not presume to say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. The Pharisees and the Sadducees were coming out to the wilderness to John the Baptist to be baptized. That’s pretty stunning in and of itself, wouldn’t you agree? And, John is less than impressed. “You brood of vipers!” he roars. Sounds like an interesting call to […]

advent 1a reflection: like a thief

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Advent / Eschatology / Jesus / Lectionary / New Testament / Year A

The following is a reflection on 24:36-44, the Gospel Lesson appointed for the 1st Sunday of Advent, Year A. I was sitting on the couch. Watching TV. Who knows what great and inspiring programming I was zoning out to… My wife yelled from upstairs: “Rick…RICK!” “Yes?” I said, rather annoyed that she hadn’t had the grace to wait for a commercial break. “My water broke.”

advent 1a prayers

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Advent / Prayers of the People

Prayers of the People Officiant    In the hushed anticipation of your coming, O Lord, kindle in us the desire to remain awake; that we might be ready for your coming, and eager to pray. Intercessor    O God, in days to come the mountain of your house will be established, and your joy shall reign. We pray for the Church, that you might teach us your ways and that we might walk in your […]

a winnowing fork in the road – a reflection on Luke 3:7-18

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Advent / Gospels / Lectionary / Major Prophets / New Testament / Religion / Year C

The following is a reflection on Luke 3:7-18, the Gospel lesson for Advent 3C, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. This reflection is a selection from my book Going to Hell, Getting Saved. There’s a fantastic scene in the third chapter of the Gospel of Luke where we’re introduced to the wild-eyed prophet John the Baptist.

sin at yuletide – a reflection on Advent 2C

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Advent / Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Soteriology / Year C

The following is a reflection on Luke 1: 68-79 and Luke 3:1-6, the canticle and the Gospel lesson properly appointed for Advent 2C according to the Revised Common Lectionary. Most people don’t ever want to talk about “sins.” At least not their own. (Other people’s sins are always fair game for in-depth discussion, but that’s another story entirely.) The only things that might be able to drive the repulsion of “sin talk” even further out-of-bounds are […]