Advent Day 17: Shared Joy

Link to the devotional Love’s Pure Light PDF here: ⁣ ⁣ https://tinyurl.com/yysjvwjm⁣ ⁣ Psalm 125 2 Kings 2:9-22 Acts 3:17-4:4⁣ ⁣ 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧.⁣ –St. Athanasius⁣ ⁣ Christians often talk about living “on mission” or “transforming society” for Christ. And as good and beautiful as these visions undoubtedly are, we must never forget that outer transformation can never move faster than inward renewal. We cannot share with the world something we ourselves have not received and encountered in the depths of our soul.⁣ ⁣ Acts 3 holds forth a vision of refreshment in and through the presence of God, yet it directly ties this refreshment to our own turning away from sin and towards our Lord in humility. This is the first and primary call of Christ given to every disciple, and though it is clear and easy enough to understand, it is far more difficult to receive and obey. Instead, we often prefer to direct the spiritual lives of others rather than tend to our own life with God!⁣ ⁣ Tempting as this may be, this is not the missional call of God. We are not called to judge others, but to give our lives away in service as we seek their good (Mt. 7:1). A life free from the power of sin is never for our own benefit alone, neither is it meant to isolate us from those in need. Instead, our hearts are set free and are moved by a compassionate longing to enter into their weakness as fellow sinners in need of grace. As we do, the life of God is multiplied in others, and we together enter into the joy of our Lord.⁣ ⁣ ⁣ 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸⁣ Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.⁣ ⁣ ⁣ 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲⁣ Charity requires an attentive preparation. We must be prepared and ready to give, anticipating the needs of others before they are even known to us. Today, purchase a few small gift cards from a local gas station or restaurant and place them in your car, ready to give one away to the next homeless person you encounter.