Monday – December 7

Psalm 25; Amos 7:1-9; Matthew 22:23-33 

 
Listen to the author read their meditation and prayer:
Josh Woods Advent Meditation
“And Jesus answered them… ‘He is God not of the dead, but of the living.’” Matthew 22:32
The reaction of the crowds, who had gathered to listen to the teachings of Jesus and were hearing this for the first time, was utter astonishment. Perhaps, if we are honest, even after two thousand years of church history this is our reaction too. It is tempting, in our modern imagination, to relegate God to the land of the dead, as one who we only truly encounter after this life is over.
But this, thankfully, is counter to the teachings of Jesus found in our gospel passage. When confronted by the Sadducees on the reality and nature of the resurrection, Jesus challenges them to expand their ideas on how they have imagined the identity and power of God. In doing so, he calls them to see that the work and power of God does not reside in the past with those who have now passed away, but it is active in and for the purpose of those who are alive.
Likewise, in the season of Advent, we also are called to see and imagine that the work and power of God is not something of the past. God is not only to be encountered after this life is over. Instead, we—who are alive—are called to anticipate and to live into the power and works of the God—who has come, is coming and will one day come, once and for all.
Most loving God, who breathed into us life; grant that all may know it is in you we have our life and find our being. Amen.
Joshua W. Woods, MTS
Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast
Masters of Divinity, Class of 2018
SEMINARY OF THE SOUTHWEST

 
Joshua W. Woods, MTS, is a junior in the Master of Divinity program at the Seminary of the Southwest. His home parish, in Fort Walton Beach, FL, is St. Simon’s on the Sound Episcopal Church in the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.