While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood amount them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
[Adapted from Worship Resources Year B: Beginning Advent 2011 up to Advent 2012, Herald Publishing House, p. 126]
We are called to bear witness of the Living Christ because of the testimonies of those who saw him and because we see him in the lives and ministries of holistic evangelism that continue to bear witness of his living presence in our midst.
Jesus is alive and present in the midst of the poor among us who, in their great suffering, continue to sing praises of joy, share generously to meet the needs of others, and proclaim boldly the gospel’s good news that “He is risen!”
He is alive in disciples who choose lives of wholehearted discipleship and sacrificial stewardship in response to the blessing of God’s grace and generosity in their lives.
He is alive in our congregations when we value the worth of all persons and fully accept their giftedness as blessings of God’s diverse creation.
Like the first disciples, we have been richly blessed by the witness of the Living Christ in our midst and are challenged to share this blessing with others. “You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power rom on high” (Luke 24:48–49).
We, too, are commissioned, blessed, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace.
It is about proclaiming our faith and belief in the resurrected Christ and becoming living expressions of God’s kingdom of justice and peace in our world. This is our mission and like the first-century disciples of Jesus, it is grounded in the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Prayer Phrase
“See, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5).
Weaving a Life
Hold, or imagine yourself holding, a piece of patterned cloth. Examine it carefully. Notice overlapping threads, mingling colors that form the design. Write a journal entry or meditate about the threads and patterns of your life. What design do you see? How does the life pattern you are weaving create justice and wholeness in God’s world? What new pattern is God calling you to weave?
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.