Advent

November 26, 2021

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

I am sick and tired of the news each morning reporting the same story—the report of who and where someone was shot, stabbed, or run down by a car and often killed during the night. As followers of Christ, we are called to be his conduit to increase and abound in love for one another and for all. How do we turn the violence around and focus that energy on building good, productive lives for all our citizens? Why is violence becoming the primary option in relationships? Why are so many people so hopeless that their lives become meaningless? Why do the rest of us say, who cares?

The Oklahoma City jail, now called a detention center, was recently condemned for use. The city is now planning to build a new facility. I pray we adjust our criminal justice system first. Many people in that facility are awaiting trial, sometimes for months, because they could not make bail. Often those same people lose their jobs, and just being in jail may stigmatize them from future employment. In addition, such detention could result in families being evicted even though the one being held has never been convicted of anything.  There must be a better way.

Prayer: Lord, help us find ways to do justice justly. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.