First Saturday of Advent - December 8, 2018

What You Have Received as a Gift, Give as a Gift

Isaiah 30:19-25
Matthew 9:35-10:8


In the Gospel reading from Matthew 9, Jesus teaches, preaches, and heals as he moves through towns and villages. He meets crowds everywhere he goes, and is moved with compassion as he observes that the people are "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

Then, Jesus says that there is much need, much to harvest in the world, but that few are laboring for that harvest. Pray for workers who will serve the harvest of God's kingdom, he says to his followers.

For those of us who would read an Advent blog like this, I imagine that Black Friday and Cyber Monday signalled the need to decorate homes, make lists, plan menus, coordinate calendars, buy and wrap gifts, and confirm travel plans for the holidays. With so much on our plates, we may feel like those who are harassed and helpless, completely besieged by the demands of the season.

In truth, though, most of what feels burdensome to us during December is surface stuff . . . the lists and plans and anxieties that we take upon ourselves.

At the same time, there may be weightier concerns both within us and in those around us . . . grieving significant passings . . . loss of meaningful work . . . newly diagnosed health concerns . . . emotional struggles, including depression.

In the Gospel text, I imagine Jesus turning to those of us who are his followers and asking that we pray for someone -- or perhaps to be the ones -- who will go out to where people are truly harassed and helpless, where persons are lost and without a way, despondent and despairing, broken and exhausted, dazed and without a noticeable pathway home.

So what if, as Jesus suggests, we seek out those who are truly harassed and helpless this Advent? What do we have to offer?

In the last line of today's Gospel, Jesus says simply, "What you have received as a gift, give as a gift." (Matt. 10:8)

That is all.


FOR REFLECTION:

Spend time reflecting on Matthew 10:8.

"What you have received as a gift, give as a gift."

As you consider the line, go beyond analysis and what you think it means. Actually do some self-reflection. What have you received as a gift?

After considering what you have been given as gift, you will have some sense of what Jesus might be inviting you to give as gift.