Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)
It’s never too late. Thank God – it’s never too late! If you are feeling ashamed, fear not, God will wipe away your disgrace. If you are struggling, it’s never too late to begin again. If you are lost, it’s not too late to find your way. If you have said “No” it’s not too late to say “Yes.” If you are over-burdened, it’s not too late to shed a “Yes” or two (with a kind explanation, of course). If you feel no loving kindness for yourself or others, it’s not too late to change that. Start where you are and go from there.
It’s never too late.
How will you begin anew this Advent?
Namaste! Amen!
The Readings
Zephaniah 3:1-2,9-13
Ah, soiled, defiled,
oppressing city!
It has listened to no voice;
it has accepted no correction.
It has not trusted in the Lord;
it has not drawn near to its God.
At that time I will change the speech of the peoples
to a pure speech,
that all of them may call on the name of the Lord
and serve God with one accord.
From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia
my suppliants, my scattered ones,
shall bring my offering.
On that day you shall not be put to shame
because of all the deeds by which you have rebelled against me;
for then I will remove from your midst
your proudly exultant ones,
and you shall no longer be haughty
in my holy mountain.
For I will leave in the midst of you
a people humble and lowly.
They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord—
the remnant of Israel;
they shall do no wrong
and utter no lies,
nor shall a deceitful tongue
be found in their mouths.
Then they will pasture and lie down,
and no one shall make them afraid.
Psalm 34
I will bless you Lord at all times;
your praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in you Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt God’s name together.
This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord,
and was saved from every trouble.
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear God, and delivers them.
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears,
and rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the broken-hearted,
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Matthew 21:28-32
‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.
The readings are from the website below, with tiny adjustments to make the text more inclusive.
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