First Saturday of Advent
– You can ponder on the picture. For a method of praying with pictures click button below.
– You can pray on the words of Scripture. For methods of praying with scripture click button below.
– You can follow the suggestions in the daily ‘Reflection’.
– You can listen to the music
Today’s Scripture
Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8 ESV
At that time: Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’ And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, ‘Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.’
Reflection
The future hope of which Isaiah spoke, the coming of God’s kingdom, which we reflected on earlier this week, begins to come to fulfilment in Jesus, who proclaims the good news of the kingdom and heals every disease and infirmity. He sends his apostles out to do what he did and to declare ‘the kingdom of heaven is at hand’.
In the midst of much tragedy, sorrow and suffering all around, can we believe that the kingdom is at hand, is near? Where do you see signs of the breaking through of the kingdom in your life and situation, in your community and area, and in the world?
Take some time today to notice, pay attention to and give thanks for the signs of the presence of the compassionate kingdom of God and notice how this affects you.
Today’s Music
The Kingdom Is Coming (feat. Josh Garrels & Terrian) · The Porter’s Gate · Josh Garrels · Terrian