A Broken Creation Groans for Redemption

Reflecting on the Second Sunday of Advent: One Day after Sunday (Year C)

Scripture

Psalm 126; Isaiah 40:1-11; Romans 8:22-25

___

Prayer

God of timeless grace, you fill us with joyful expectation. Make us ready for the message that prepares the way, that with uprightness of heart and holy joy we may eagerly await the kingdom of your Son, Jesus Christ, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. (Revised Common Lectionary)

___

Reflection

We know that the whole creation has been groaning together as it suffers together the pains of labor, and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience (Romans 8:22-25).

For Paul, and the rest of the writers of the New Testament salvation is not solely nor primarily an individualistic thing. In Romans chapter 8, Paul makes the point that what God has done in Jesus Christ is to move the entire creation towards salvation, toward deliverance.