Psalm 126 • Habakkuk 3:13-19 • Matthew 21:28-32
“May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.” Psalm 126:5
The season of advent is a time to intentionally prepare our hearts to continue to be dwelling places for Jesus. We invite the divine into our human hearts. This season requires me to do some deep examination and thorough housekeeping in my heart to discover how I am engaged in the work of using my words, actions, and resources in ways that the Holy Spirit can transform this earthly kingdom we live in to look a little more like the kingdom of heaven.
This advent feels very different to me. We continue to live in the midst of a pandemic, and our nation is more politically divided than ever before. The inequality of food accessibility, education, access to healthcare, and the long and painful systemic racism both plague us and call us to action. We can traverse this time letting our fear paralyze us or we can step out in faith and prayer with the knowledge that God has been, is, and always will be at work in the world and in our lives. Part of that leap of faith for me is having a deeply centered hope in the church, the Body of Christ, that when we let the Spirit propel us forward together, our tears and weeping are turned into joy that comes when we face the present and work for reconciliation.
Lord, may I be present to You presiding in my heart. Help me be an instrument of reconciliation, love, and justice. Amen.
The Rev. Lisa P. Mason
MDiv Class of 2009
Rector
St John’s Episcopal Church
Diocese of New York
Listen to Lisa read her meditation and prayer:
The Rev. Lisa P. Mason, before becoming the rector of St John’s in September of 2019, served as rector of St. David’s, San Antonio and was very active in the Diocese of West Texas. She is honored to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Seminary of the Southwest and currently serve as Chair of the Institutional Advancement/ Development Committee. She also serves on the Finance Committee of the Diocese of New York. She enjoys spending time outdoors, especially close to or on the water, hiking, running, and she loves spending time with my husband, children, family and friends.
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.
