Advent in apocalyptic times – Part I: The two meanings of Advent

NOTE: Over the next few days we will be doing a series of meditations on the theme ‘Advent in Apocalyptic Times’. If anyone would like to listen to a meditation on the readings for the second Sunday of Advent, you can find it at the following link: https://en.elijamission.net/2021/12/05/

“Behold: though night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples, on you the Lord is rising and over you his glory can be seen” (Is 60:2). Read More

A joy to the angels

 Eph 3:8-12

Reading from the Memorial of Saint Ambrose

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in[a] God who created all things;  that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confidence of access through our faith in him.

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Trust in the Lord

Isa 26:1-6

”That day, this song will be sung in Judah: ‘We have a fortress city, the walls and ramparts provide safety. Open the gates! Let the upright nation come in, the nation that keeps faith! This is the plan decreed: you will guarantee peace, the peace entrusted to you. Trust in Yahweh for ever, for Yahweh is a rock for ever. He has brought low the dwellers on the heights, the lofty citadel; he lays it low, brings it to the ground, flings it down in the dust. It will be trodden under foot, by the feet of the needy, the steps of the weak.”

The core of today’s message is the invitation to trust in God, so that He Himself may be our “fortress city”. We know that everything fades away, and that is why it is so important that we put our hope in God, and that in this faith we face all the adversities of life. Read More

The Eyes of Faith

Is 25:6-10a

On this mountain, for all peoples, the Lord Sabaoth is preparing a banquet of rich food, a banquet of fine wines, of succulent food, of well-strained wines. On this mountain, he has destroyed the veil which used to veil all peoples, the mantle enveloping all nations; he has destroyed death for ever. The Lord has wiped away the tears from every cheek; he has taken his people’s shame away everywhere on earth, for the Lord has spoken. And on that day, it will be said, ‘Look, this is our God, in him we put our hope that he should save us, this is the Lord, we put our hope in him. Let us exult and rejoice since he has saved us.’ For the Lord’s hand will rest on this mountain, and Moab will be trodden under his feet as straw is trodden into the dung-heap.

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