Advent: It’s all about you! If not you, then who?

Some thoughts for the Third Sunday of Advent 2014.
Pádraig McCarthy
Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11
“The spirit of the Lord has been given to me,
For the Lord has anointed me.
He has sent me to bring (good) news to the poor …
I exult for joy in the Lord …
The Lord will make integrity and praise
spring up in the sight of the nations!”
The Word of the Lord is that you are that person!
Thanks be to God!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Unfortunately, the Jerusalem Bible translation takes the punch out of this. It’s almost a rhythmical chant, a marching tune. Here’s my unauthorised version!
Rejoice at all times;
pray constantly;
in all things give thanks,
because this the will of God
for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit;
Do not despise the gift of prophecy;
test all things;
hold on to what is good;
avoid every form of evil.
May the God of peace make you perfect and holy;
may your complete self be kept safe and blameless,
spirit and soul and body,
for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faithful is the one who calls you;
he indeed will do it!
The Word of the Lord is that you are that person!
Thanks be to God!
Paul did not write, “Always be happy.” This is a condition of being.
Paul wrote: “Rejoice!” – it’s something we go and do!
Table quiz:
Which is the shortest verse in the New Testament? Often the answer will be given: “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) Leave aside the fact that chapter and verse numberings were added more than a thousand years after it was written; the answer is true if your Bible is the King James Authorised translation.
In Greek, however, this verse: “Rejoice always!” is shorter: 14 characters and 1 space. John 11:35 has 16 characters and 2 spaces.
The Lectionary reading finishes: “God has called you and he will not fail you.”
There is no negative here in the Greek: “He indeed will do it!”
John 1:6-8, 19-28
“He came as a witness: to bear witness to the light …”
This is who you are.
“ I am a voice that cries in the wilderness …”
This is who you are.
“There stands among you – unknown to you – the one who is coming after me …”
He is among us, right now, right here, even though so often we are unaware.
If I really know he is among us, will it make a difference to how I act, how I relate to those around me – those in whom he abides?
This too is who I myself am.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Richard Rohr Daily Meditation: John of the Cross: If you want …:
If
you want
the Virgin will come walking down the road
pregnant with the holy
and say,
“I need shelter for the night, please take me inside your heart,
my time is so close.”
Then, under the roof of your soul, you will witness the sublime
intimacy, the divine, the Christ
taking birth
forever,
as she grasps your hand for help, for each of us
is the midwife of God, each of us.
Yes there, under the dome of your being does creation
come into existence externally, through your womb, dear pilgrim—
the sacred womb of your soul,
as God grasps our arms for help; for each of us is
His beloved servant
never
far.
If you want, the Virgin will come walking
down the street pregnant
with Light and
sing . . .
If You Want” by St. John of the Cross, translated by Daniel Ladinsky,
Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West.
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Richard-Rohr-s-Meditation–Sabbath—-Presence–If-You-Want.html?soid=1103098668616&aid=ea8itY-ZCWg