Invitation and Preparation
O God, make speed to save us
O Lord, make haste to help us
(Silence)
Let us pray:
Blessed are you, sovereign Lord, just and true: to you be praise and glory for ever. Your prophet John the Baptist was witness to the truth as a burning and shining light. May we your servants rejoice in his light, and so be led to witness to him who is the Lord of our coming kingdom, Jesus our Savior and King of the ages. Amen.
Listen and Receive
Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
Matthew 11:2-6
May the Word of God rest gently on our hearts, that when our hearts break the Word of God may flow in.
(Silence)
Reflect and Respond
As John sits in prison, he begins to have doubts about his own ministry. Did he proclaim the right person as the Lamb of God? Did he really see the Holy Spirit descend upon Jesus? He sends his trusted friends to ask Jesus if he truly is who John thought he was. Jesus responds by giving the evidence of the Kingdom of God made manifest. Jesus reveals the healing, redemption, restoration, life and love that spring forth as the Good News is enfleshed.
Like John, we can become discouraged and disappointed. We can be overcome by doubt and despair as we look at the world around us. Also like John, we can rely on our community and our prayer life to show us the way of the Kingdom still made manifest by the power of the Holy Spirit in the Body of Christ. The way of healing, redemption, restoration, life, and love still spring forth as the Gospel is enfleshed.
I wonder, how might God be inviting you to participate in the Kingdom? In what ways do you need to experience healing, life, and love? In what ways are you being invited to bring restoration, hope, and love to others?
Blessed and Sent
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
In this season of light, may your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.