Reflection for Advent 2
“Return to me, and I will return to you.” (Malachi 3:7b)
I must admit, I’m running out of steam this advent period – and I know I’m not alone!
So a reading from the prophet Malachi this coming Sunday, written for a weary Israel, seems rather apt for a weary world of Covid - 2021!
Fast forward over 500 years from Malachi and we read of another prophet, John son of Zechariah, repeating the call for people to return to God - repent. And I’m assuming that the people of Israel are once again weary and wondering where their God was in their lives as they toiled under Roman rule.
History, as Shirley Bassey (and the Propellorheads) reminded me two weeks ago, does repeat itself.
God’s answer also repeats – return to me, I will return to you – says Malachi.
For John, repentance, turning back to God, makes the path for God’s return – in Jesus Christ – straight, level, and easy.
So I take heart, and comfort and peace in the poetic Collect for this Sunday:
God of our salvation, you straighten the winding ways of our hearts and smooth the paths made rough by sin: keep our hearts watchful in holiness and bring to perfection the good you have begun in us. We ask this though him whose coming is certain, whose Day draws near, your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Blessings
Ceri
For fun: History Repeating
