Fourth Sunday of Advent
Any death especially those from an act of violence of one person against another is horrific. It is with great despair and sadness we pray for all those impacted by the terrible shooting on those at the Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. This tragedy happened as we continue to pray for the Kamlesh Patel, his family and the wider community following him being attacked. Although we admit it can be hard to do in the time of pain and hurt, we pray for the perpetrators of any violence that they may take responsibility for what they have done, and choose the path of love and peace, not hate and violence. We pray that they may accept the way of Christ and become his disciples.
It is in this time, when we seem to be surrounded by the evil of violence, between people and nations, that we continue to watch and wait in the season of Advent. It is in this context that we reflect on this Sunday’s Psalm (80).
When we pray with the psalmist, “show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved” all sorts of different things will be in our minds. All through biblical history those who prayed this psalm had different concerns and we add all the cries that pour out of our hearts to theirs.
We pray to God, knowing our illumination, restoration and our salvation, depends on God. So it is in trust as well as longing that we cry out to God who is tenacious in faithfulness to us all.
God Bless you
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From the Vicar
