Lectionary for Advent 4
Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. Isaiah 45:22
Collect. Let us pray (as Advent draws to a close for the faith that opens our lives to the Spirit of God): Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory, and open our hearts to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reading. Hebrews 10:5-10. The season of Advent brings us familiar readings and because of their familiarity it is easy to pass over them quickly. Advent is a season for pondering over how the ministry and reign of Christ is working out and while on the one hand we have an eye to the future and the fulfilment that Christ’s return will bring, we also need to consider how the ministry of Christ is affecting us on a daily basis. In this short passage the writer to the Hebrews quotes from psalm 40 but in the first verse of the quotation hears Christ reinterpreting the thought of an obedient ear, (an open ear), that is an ear which hears and obeys, to a “body”, a body which is destined to obediently be offered as the full and perfect sacrifice that God requires. The letter to the Hebrews reminds us often that the former Judaic tradition was but a shadow of what God expected from his people. As the writer has previously stated (verse 4), it was not possible that animal blood would erase the sin of humanity. The coming of Jesus and the salvation that he enabled was the deliberate and purposeful plan of God. As Peter reminds us; “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24). Furthermore the passage for today hammers home the thought that it was God’s will that Christ’s sacrifice would bring sanctification to all of God’s people. The former sacrificial system was designed to prepare the people for worship but the sacrifice that Jesus offers prepares God’s people for true worship, worship that is acceptable to God. As we reflect on what Christ has done we can rejoice in the understanding that Hebrews brings; it was God’s will that Christ give himself and it was also God’s will that we, (humanity), would receive the full effect of all that this sacrifice achieved: this is nothing less that our perfect freedom to worship God.
Prayer. Holy and life giving God, you sent your messengers the prophets, to prepare the way for your Son. Now today we thank and praise you for all that He has achieved through his sacrificial death. We give you thanks for the new life that his sacrifice brings to all who trust in him. As we go forward in faith we thank you that it is your purpose that we strive not to be successful but to be faithful; faithful to you alone. Grant to us such faith in you and in your purposes that we measure not our lives by what we have done or failed to do, but by our obedience to your holy will; through Jesus our Saviour. Amen
Mary said: Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Luke 1:38
Reading. Luke 1:47-55. This passage seems to be strongly influenced by the Old Testament poetic tradition. It shows a close resemblance to Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2:1ff and as such would have been familiar to Mary. It is a song which is a worshipful response to God’s goodness and sovereignty. It is often titled “The Magnificat’ which reflects the opening line when translated into Latin. This is a passage which is frequently used in formal liturgies in a wide range of Christian traditions for it is a magnificent song of praise to our God. It is more than just Mary’s song it is everyone’s song who has trusted God for what is unfolding in their lives. It is a passage which gives honour and recognition to God and in one grand sweep reminds us of God’s nature and generosity as well as a perfect commitment to justice and mercy for all. However its beauty and poetic balance can distract us from fully reflecting on how this response came about. With the announcement that Mary, an unmarried though betrothed young woman was about to deliver a child placed her in an extremely dangerous position. The penalty for such a predicament was death by stoning. As such this young woman found her life in total disarray. Still, in her faithfulness and trust she does not turn to panic but to God and in that trust finds the comfort that only God can bring. Thus Luke reveals that Mary knows that it is God who is her saviour and so she simply turns to God to lead her through the situation. Equally she recognises that God has chosen her out of love for of herself she has nothing to offer; “for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant”. (Verse 48) When commenting on this passage William Barclay describes it as the “paradox of blessedness” sometimes it is through the most difficult of circumstances that we are truly used by God. Trusting in God not only helps us through the storms of life it is in the storms that we are of greatest service to him. That service begins through knowing that it is the Lord who is the Saviour. None of us will ever have to face the challenge that this section of scripture poses, nevertheless, Mary’s response should be an example to us all. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28. NRSV.
Prayer. Sovereign Lord, as we reflect on the Song of Mary we recognise that often we try to turn away from the difficult tasks, praying only for peace and comfort. Often we fail to trust you to guide us through the storms rather we are working valiantly to avoid them. Forgive us Lord that we place such little trust in you. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who came to take our nature upon himself in order to bring many sons to glory, grant Lord that we might be discerning and chose his way rather than our own: that we might trust his salvation and live without fear. Help us to cast our cares upon him; knowing that he cares for us. Through your gracious will may we be blessed with a living hope and a lively faith that will sustain us till the end. Grant that in the day of your coming, we may be raised up to live and reign with you for ever. This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Collect. O God, Mary shows us how to trust, as she hears your word and commits herself in faith. Like her, may we allow Christ to take form within us, the Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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