"Rejoice Greatly!"

Monday, June 30, 2014            

Scripture

Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! (Zechariah 9:9)

Reflection

I had to double-check the lectionary to make sure this was the correct text for our First Reading next Sunday. We are used to hearing this reading during Advent, on the third Sunday, “Rejoice” Sunday, when our acolyte lights the rose-colored candle on the otherwise blue Advent Wreath.

If you’re like me, you are singing to yourself the aria from Handel’s Messiah, which we heard Alice Pierce sing this past December on the Third Sunday in Advent.

Our prophet sings of a coming messianic king who will usher in disarmament, peace and prosperity. Therefore, God’s people shall be known as “prisoners of hope.”

We’re all “prisoners” of someone or something. Being a “prisoner of hope” sounds pretty good to me!

Prayer

Gracious God, Send us your peace and embolden and empower us towards disarmament. In the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus, our Lord. Amen.