Psalm 12, 13, 14, 119:1-24 • Amos 3:12-4:5 • Matthew 21:23-32
Have you opened yourself to the love of God so that God’s love pours forth to all who you meet?
Our lessons today are focused on religious people who by all outward appearances would be considered faithful and devout. In Amos, the Israelites are bringing regular sacrifices and tithes, but at the same time, they have built up their own wealth and ignored the poor and oppressed among them. Because they have ignored their neighbors, their ritual only magnifies their sin.
Likewise, in Matthew, Jesus is speaking to the religious leaders who devoutly interpret and carry out the law, but do not allow it to touch their lives. They have told the Father, “I go, sir,” but their lives do not show forth their going. Their ritual has become empty.
We are prone to read ourselves on the side of the faithful particularly in the Psalms, but faithfulness to God who is on the side of the poor is not our natural state. We should be careful to listen for the voices of the poor crying out against us, and seek repentance and healing when we find ourselves in the role of oppressor. Our coming to God daily and in our corporate prayer can form us in his love, but only if we open our hearts to receive it. We must then remain in that state of vulnerability as God’s love pours forth in overflow.
God, you pour out your love on our lives day by day. May our lives make manifest your redeeming love to all we meet.
Lissie Rhoton
Diploma in Anglican Studies, Class of 2020
Diocese of Texas
Lissie Rhoton is currently attending the Seminary of the Southwest to obtain a Diploma of Anglican Studies. She is from Waco, TX, where she has lived with her husband, Chris, for the past ten years. Chris has remained in Waco as a Grant Writer at Meals on Wheels, while Lissie completes her year-long diploma program. They now have three beautiful cats, Riza, May, and Alphonse. Lissie graduated from Shorter University in Rome, GA with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She received her Master of Divinity degree in Missions and World Christianity from George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco, TX. Lissie’s particular areas of interest and continued formation are pastoral care, outreach, and racial reconciliation within the church. She enjoys quilting, crocheting, and arts and crafts of many kinds.
The Advent Meditations and Prayers are a gift to our seminary community and are made possible through gifts to our Annual Fund. Seminary of the Southwest appreciates the support of its friends, alumni, and the communities around the world that its graduates serve for the glory of God. This support ensures that Southwest, as an institution made of individuals dedicated to service to God and their fellow members of the body of Christ, can continue doing its part to build the body of Christ.
