Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: December 10, 2023

Date: 2nd Sunday of Advent  

 Scripture Text:  2 PETER 3:8-14

Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand yearsand a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay,” but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar and the elements will be dissolved by fire, and the earth and everything done on it will be found out.

Since everything is to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be,conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the elements melted by fire. But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

 The second reading for today is drawn from the 2nd Letter of Peter in which Peter reminds us that we are awaiting the 2nd coming of Christ. While some believed Christ’s second coming would be more immediate, Peter warns the faithful to be vigilant because “the day of the LORD will come like a thief.” Peter urges the faithful to “be eager to be found without spot or blemish before Him, at peace.”

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

 Do I live my life striving to be at peace, ready to meet the LORD at any turn in my journey? Do I seek to repent immediately any wrongdoing knowing the LORD loves me and wants me ready to have life in abundance with Him?

Praying:

LORD,  Almighty Father, You sent your beloved Son to dwell among us, to teach us and to lead us back to You, to reconcile us to You, to defeat sin and death so that we might have life in abundance with You. Send your Spirit to kindle in us the fire of your love, to stir within us the desire to be the ones You created us to be. Grant that we may turn to You with our whole heart and mind and being and be at peace with ourselves and with You. We ask this in the name of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and rules with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.