Tuesday, December 15

Psalm 45; Zechariah 2:1-13; Matthew 24:32-44

Listen to the author read their meditation and prayer:

The Rev. Al Rodriguez Advent Meditation

Nine days before Christmas is just about the time that even the most ardent observer of the Advent season is tempted to peek ahead to the stable, the manger and the cuddly, new-born baby.  But, alas, we’re still compelled to be alert, maintain watchfulness, and adhere to a call to repentance in anticipation of the Lord’s coming.  Matthew writes, “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Uncertainty as to this coming also characterizes the atmosphere of Advent.  Bummer!

No, Matthew is not writing about the coming of the Messiah, but of the cosmic, apocalyptic notions of the Second Coming. It does take discipline to keep on message that our attention should be always on being prepared to receive the Lord’s Day whenever that might be.

Perhaps our Advent discipline is to come to terms with the “Spirit of Advent,” as contradictory as that might sound. It could be that Advent is really about letting God worry about the End Times, and about us concentrating on the little things like loving your neighbor, respecting the dignity of every human being. The Spirit of Advent might mean revisiting the Baptismal Covenant and assessing how we’re doing in that department.

Lord, remind us that some things are hidden from us. Remind us to focus on those things that we can do something about.  Amen

The Rev. Al Rodriguez
Adjunct Faculty Instructor
Interim Director of Hispanic Church Studies
SEMINARY OF THE SOUTHWEST

 
The Rev. Al Rodriguez, a graduate of the Seminary of the Southwest, was ordained in June 1996, serving in various parishes, including St. John’s Episcopal Church in Austin where he ministered as Rector for 15 years. He currently serves as Assisting Priest at St. James’ Episcopal Church in Austin and is an Adjunct Faculty instructor at Southwest teaching in the Hispanic Church Studies Concentration, where he focuses on cultural and linguistic nuances of ministering to the multi-generational, U.S. born Latinos who are bilingual or English dominant.