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LENTEN DEVOTIONALS

As part of our Lenten journey together as a church to Easter, we will be posting Lenten reflections and practices from a variety of sources.

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Welcome to Musings! As participants in the conversations on this blog, we covenant together that we will maintain a spirit of good will, of openness to each other, and of mutual respect in our discussions; that we will listen to each other and endeavor to understand each other, especially those whose views differ from ours; and that we will remember that we are brothers and sisters in Christ.

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  • The Musings Page will be a place to consider thought-provoking, evocative, sometimes polemical but not overtly political, writings, quotes, ideas, and poetry on the Christian life in all its facets: spiritual, religious, ethical, and practical.

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Musings

Second Sunday in Advent – December 4, 2011

posted on December 4, 2011 by Musings

Second Sunday in Advent – What Comfort Does the World Need?

Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.  Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
Isaiah 40:1-2

It is one thing to want to be “comfortable.”  And it is another thing to have need of comfort.  The comfort the world needs is not a better house, or recliner, or mattress, or lights, or clothing.  It is not a new car, or an easier job, or even a better nights sleep.

The comfort the world needs, I think, is mainly to have an abiding sense of the presence of God in all circumstances and in all places; and, of course, to know that this Divine Presence is for healing and wholeness, for salvation, and redemption, and for transformation; and not for condemnation or for punishment.

God does not pile on more hurt, or violence, or hate.  There is already enough of those in the world.  I have heard some say that the Gospel ministry began with Isaiah!  Does the word “gospel” not mean “good news!”?  What better news can we offer the world than this word of comfort?

Prayer: Dislodge us, O God, from our materialistic notions of comfort.  Give us that abiding sense of your presence in our lives, from which we might take comfort, but also give comfort to others.  For Christ’s sake.  Amen.

Today’s reflection was written by Bryan McDowell, Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Shreveport

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