Joy(ful) Repentance: FRIDAY

Welcome to our 2021 Advent Journey! This year we are making our way toward Christmas by exploring the four Advent themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, but with a twist. This third week is not just about JOY but Joy(ful) Repentance, but before you jump in to today’s reflection, just take a moment, breathe slowly, and pray the following prayer as truthfully and earnestly as you can.

Lord,
source of all true joy,
You promised that at your appearing,
the pain of your absence will be replaced with joy,.
That when we see you again our hearts will rejoice,
and no one will be able to take away our joy.
And so we wait in hope.
Amen

Daily Scripture: Luke 15

Find the above scripture in your bible and read slowly – you might want to read it out loud. You can also find it here.

Reflection

iIn Luke 15 Jesus gives three parables all around the theme of repentance. The first two parables are incredibly similar in both substance and structure but all three carry the same themes for they all focus on a particular character (shepherd/woman/father) who has lost something (sheep/coin/son), which is then recovered, and others are invited to rejoice over the discovery. At the heart of these parables is the repeated idea that there is joy in heaven when one sinner decides to repent. Here are some questions to aid your reflection today.

Who did Jesus tell these parables to?
Why did he tell them?
Have you ever considered the joy that erupts in heaven when someone repents? Have you considered heaven rejoicing over your repentance?
Who might you be offended by if they repented and were welcomed into the kingdom?

Advent Quotes

‘Ironically, it was the father’s blessing that actually “financed” the prodigal son’s trip away from the Father’s face! and it was the son’s new revelation of his poverty of heart that propelled him back into his Father’s arms. Sometimes we use the very blessings that God gives us to finance our journey away from the centrality of Christ. It’s very important that we return back to ground zero, to the ultimate eternal goal of abiding with the Father’s in intimate communion.’

|Tommy Tenney

‘Will we understand the father’s joy? Will we let the Father embrace us? This is our resistance to living a joyful life. God rejoices. Not because the problems of the world have been solved, not because all human pain and suffering have come to an end, nor because thousands of people have been converted and are now praising him for his goodness. No, God rejoices because one of his children who was lost has been found. It is God’s joy, not the joy that the world offers. It is the joy that comes from seeing a child walk home amid all the destruction, devastation, and anguish of the world. It is a hidden joy.’

| Henri Nouwen

Advent Song: Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down

And I’ve been gone for a long time now,
A wanderer on this dusty road.
And I’m crying out, I’m crying out for you God,

To come to me, and lead me home
I’m ready now, I’ve changed my heart,
I’m running into, into your arms.

And I’ve been gone for a long time now,
A wanderer on this dusty road.
And I’m crying out, I’m crying out for you God,

To come to me, and lead me home
I’m ready now, I’ve changed my heart,
I’m running into, into your arms.

And you meet me Father, on this dusty road
And you come with a ring, and you come with a robe
And you meet me Father, on this dusty road
And you wipe away my tears, and you lead me home

And I believe, Oh I believe
That you love me God, that you want me God
And I believe, Oh I believe
That you love me God, that you want me God
And I believe, Oh I believe
That you love me God, that you want me God
And I believe, Oh I believe
That you love me God, that you want me God
That you love me god, that you want me
I am coming home, and god safe you
There is nothing like your love.

Ooh how you love me.
There is nothing like your love.

| Spiritual

Advent Art: The Prodigal Son by Rembrandt

Closing Benediction

Be people of joy.
Let joy live in your heart and share the joy of Christ with all you meet.
Share joy by seeing the good in each other.
Share joy by remembering good times and hoping for good times to come.
Share joy by praying for our world.
In this Advent season, we need to see, feel, and share joy.
As you go out into the wonder of God’s creations,
share joy, peace, and hope with those you meet.
Amen.

| Liturgy Link

ZOOM REFLECTIONS

No Zoom reflection tonight – we’ll be back on Monday!

As always, we would love to hear your thoughts and reflections and so please do leave a comment in the section at the bottom of this page. Much love to you all on this Advent journey!