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Morning Devotion for the Season of Advent
December 13, 2024
Invitatory
Because in the mystery of the Word made flesh, thou hast caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of thy glory in the face of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Luke 22:14-30
When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!’ Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this.
A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
Meditation-Rebecca Northington
This passage carries a couple of remarkable messages. In it we learn from Jesus how to celebrate the Eucharist ,(Greek for thanksgiving), and to remember his life, death and resurrection. As we taught Episcopal Identity last Sunday in confirmation class, we talked about how little actual doctrine is discernible within the New Testament, despite what some might argue. The Eucharist however, is directly taught to us by Christ so that we might remember him, give thanks for him, and continue to be changed through him.
Having an “upper room” Eucharist with the youth group is one of my favorite traditions. It provides a more intimate and conversational setting, as we stand closely around the altar passing the body and blood and sharing Christ’s words: “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me…This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood”. There is room for Q and A and the kids have the opportunity to fully comprehend what the Eucharist is, when it happened, and what it means for them. It can be transformational.
It is no accident that Jesus’s next words talk of the impending betrayal by one of the disciples. The disciples clamor to know who it could be. They also demand to know who is the greatest among them. Already they are trying to divide the chosen from the fallen. They are trying to imbue a sense of human order. Jesus does not engage, but reminds them of the re-ordering he has been trying to explain all this time. Who is greater, one who serves or one who is served? Are the fallen truly fallen-or does Jesus show that all can be redeemed?
You might find it odd to be reading about Christ’s final hours as we countdown to Christmas. This is not an accident, but is a firm reminder that this sweet, gentle baby will not change things in the way that humans expect him to. He will not end poverty. He will not bring world peace. He will not root out evil and drive it to the end of the world.
He will die on a cross, brutally, abandoned and betrayed. But in so doing he leaves with us a New Commandment, one that must eliminate all human inclinations towards their understanding of justice and control. He asks us to love one another as he loved us. This is also the hope of Christmas, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, fill our hearts with the joy that comes from knowing your love. May we rejoice in the good news of salvation and share that joy with others during this season of Advent. Amen.
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