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WE PRAY

Almighty God, grant us grace so that we may cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, now during this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that on the last day, when he will come again in his glorious Majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to eternal life; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

WE READ

“What can I give back to the Lord for all the good things he has done for me?” That ’s the question the psalmist asks in Psalm 116. It ’s a good and right question to keep at the forefront of our minds. The psalmist seems to be in a good spot, but that hasn’t kept him from reflecting on God’s care for him and offering vigorous worship.
In the Amos passage, worship is also a main focus, but only this time, God is angry about Israel ’s worship. God is angry not because Israel hasn’t worshiped; they have. God is angry because they worship without living righteous lives with their neighbors. Consequently, God will deliver the justice that Israel has denied others. Worship becomes useless unless we live faithful, righteous, holy, and just lives.
As you read today ’s passages, keep an eye out for the link between justice and worship. Throughout the day, reflect on what God has given you, even if it seems small or inconsequential. Then, reflect on ways that what you have been given might be used to help others.

Psalm 116

1 I love the LORD because he hears
my requests for mercy.
2 I’ll call out to him as long as I live
because he listens closely to me.
3 Death ’s ropes bound me;
the distress of the grave found me—
I came face-to-face
with trouble and grief.
4 So I called on the LORD’s name:
“LORD, please save me!”
5 The LORD is merciful
and righteous;
our God is compassionate.
6 The LORD protects simple folk;
he saves me
whenever I am brought down.
7 I tell myself, You can be at peace again
because the LORD
has been good to you.
8 You, God, have delivered me from death,
my eyes from tears,
and my foot from stumbling,
9 so I’ll walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.
10 I have remained faithful, even when I said,
“I am suffering so badly!”
11 even when I said, out of fear,
“Everyone is a liar!”
12 What can I give back to the LORD
for all the good things
he has done for me?
13 I’ll lift up the cup of salvation.
I’ll call on the LORD ’s name.
14 I’ll keep the promises
I made to the LORD
in the presence of all God ’s people.
15 The death of the LORD’s faithful
is a costly loss in his eyes.
16 Oh yes, LORD, I am definitely your servant!
I am your servant and the son
of your female servant—
you’ve freed me from my chains.
17 So I’ll offer a sacrifice
of thanksgiving to you,
and I’ll call on the LORD’s name.
18 I’ll keep the promises I made
to the LORD
in the presence of all God ’s people,
19 in the courtyards of the LORD ’s house,
which is in the center of Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD!

Psalm 117

1 Praise the LORD, all you nations!
Worship him, all you peoples!
2 Because God ’s faithful love toward us
is strong,
the LORD’s faithfulness lasts forever!
Praise the LORD!
Amos 5:18–27
18 Doom to those who desire
the day of the LORD!
Why do you want the day of the LORD?
It is darkness, not light;
19 as if someone fled from a lion,
and was met by a bear;
or sought refuge in a house,
rested a hand against the wall,
and was bitten by a snake.
20 Isn’t the day of the LORD darkness,
not light;
all dark with no brightness in it?
21 I hate, I reject your festivals;
I don’t enjoy your joyous assemblies.
22 If you bring me your entirely burned
offerings and gifts of food—
I won’t be pleased;
I won’t even look at your offerings
of well-fed animals.
23 Take away the noise of your songs;
I won’t listen to the melody
of your harps.
24 But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness
like an ever-flowing stream.
25 Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings
during the forty years in the
wilderness, house of Israel?
26 You will take up Sakkuth your king,
and Kaiwan your star-god,
your images,
which you made for yourselves.
27 Therefore, I will take you away
beyond Damascus, says the LORD,
whose name is
the God of heavenly forces.

Jude 17–25

17 But you, dear friends, remember the words spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the end time scoffers will come living according to their own ungodly desires.” 19 These people create divisions. Since they don’t have the Spirit, they are worldly.
20 But you, dear friends: build each other up on the foundation of your most holy faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep each other in the love of God, wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will give you eternal life. 22 Have mercy on those who doubt. 23 Save some by snatching them from the fire. Fearing God, have mercy on some, hating even the clothing contaminated by their sinful urges.
24 To the one who is able
to protect you from falling,
and to present you blameless
and rejoicing
before his glorious presence,
25 to the only God our savior,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
belong glory, majesty, power,
and authority,
before all time, now and forever. Amen.

Matthew 22:15–22

15 Then the Pharisees met together to find a way to trap Jesus in his words. 16 They sent their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are genuine and that you teach God ’s way as it really is. We know that you are not swayed by people’s opinions, because you don’t show favoritism. 17 So tell us what you think: Does the Law allow people to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
18 Knowing their evil motives, Jesus replied, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used to pay the tax.” And they brought him a denarion. 20 “Whose image and inscription is this?” he asked.
21 “Caesar ’s,” they replied. Then he said, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” 22 When they heard this they were astonished, and they departed.

WE THINK

  • What stands out to you from today’s reading?

  • Are you confused or stumped by what you’ve read?

  • Is there anything you encountered that makes you think, “I don’t know about that…”?

  • What resonated with you as particularly meaningful?

  • What promises have you made to God? How might you live into those promises more fully?”

  • Where have you seen God’s faithfulness in other people ’s lives? In your own?

  • What might it look like for you today to be presented blameless and rejoicing before God ’s glorious presence?

WE FEEL

  • In general, what emotions seem to be dominant at this moment?

  • How have those emotions affected the relationships you have with those around you?

  • What are you doing or have you done to submit those emotions to the Lordship of Jesus Christ?

  • Where have you seen God at work this week?

  • How does it feel to consider that God desires both heartfelt worship and lives of justice? Does this bring comfort, challenge, or both?

  • The passages from Psalms and Amos have very contrasting feelings. How does it make you feel to read both passages together?

  • What does it feel like to long for God’s justice? How is God ’s justice different than our own?

WE BELIEVE

Today’s passages remind us of some basic tenets of our faith. First, God is faithful. Even when we do not deserve it, as Israel did during Amos ’time, God remains faithful, always seeking to guide us back into the right relationship with God and others. Even God’s judgment is a form of faithfulness because it helps draw us toward repentance.

Second, worship is an integral part of the Christian life. Remembering God ’s faithfulness and engaging in praise and thanks is key if we’re to live selfless and loving lives.

Third, worship loses its power and purpose when disconnected from lives of holiness, justice, and love.
Finally, today ’s Matthew passage reminds us that we’re made in the image of God. We’re broken, though, and often forget who we were created to be. We will be much less likely to forget who we are when we remember who God is, and what God has done for us. When we remember, we’re empowered to live lives loving God with all we have and loving our neighbor as ourselves.

WE PRACTICE

The Examen

Ask God for Illumination
Speak to us, O Lord.
Speak to us as we wait and as we watch,
Speak to us as we hope and as we long,
As we sorrow, sigh, and rejoice.
Speak to us throughout these days of Advent
As we await the coming of Christ, our King
And stay by us, Lord, we pray
Until you come again.

Give Thanks

  • What can you give thanks for from this week?
  • Remember the ways God has sustained and carried you this week

Review the Week

  • Where have I seen God this week?
  • Look at this past week through the eyes of God, rather than my own

Name your Shortcomings

  • Reflect on those areas where you did not love God and neighbor as you should
  • Reflect on those things left undone that should be done, and those things done that should not have been done

Ask for forgiveness

Embrace this Upcoming Week

  • Ask God where you need to be this week
  • Ask God where you might meet God and neighbors this week

PRAYER

To the one who is able
to protect you from falling,
and to present you blameless
and rejoicing
before his glorious presence,
to the only God our savior,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
belong glory, majesty, power,
and authority,
before all time, now and forever. Amen.