Above: Candle Flame and Reflection
Image in the Public Domain
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The Collect:
O God, you have prepared for those who love you joys beyond understanding.
Pour into our hearts such love for you that,
loving you above all things,
we may obtain your promises,
which exceed all we can desire,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
–Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), page 34
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The Assigned Readings:
Deuteronomy 7:1-11 (Monday)
Deuteronomy 11:1-17 (Tuesday)
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 (Wednesday)
Psalm 93 (All Days)
1 Timothy 6:11-12 (Monday)
1 Timothy 6:13-16 (Tuesday)
Mark 16:19-20 (Wednesday)
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Mightier than the sound of many waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea,
mightier is the LORD who dwells on high.
Your testimonies are very sure,
and holiness adorns your house, O LORD,
for ever and ever more.
–Psalm 93:5-6, The Book of Common Prayer (1979)
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The pericopes from Deuteronomy, taken together, encourage obedience to the Law of Moses. Thus idolatry is a negative pursuit, obviously. The readings promise rewards for obedience and punishment for disobedience. Reality is not that simple, however, for we must, to be intellectually honest, consider the Biblical examples of Job, Tobit, various prophets, Jesus, St. Paul the Apostle, et cetera. They suffered, but not due to sins they had committed. Many of them, in fact, suffered for the sake of righteousness, as have many subsequent martyrs and other saints, from antiquity to the present day.
Nevertheless, may we obey Pseudo-Paul’s advice in 1 Timothy 6 to fight the good fight of the faith. Now that Jesus has departed the Earth, we bear the responsibility for telling the stories of Jesus and living as lights to the nations. May others recognize the light of God within us and glorify God. May this light become a contagion of godliness. And may we take comfort in the reality that darkness has never extinguished the light of God, despite vigorous efforts.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
DECEMBER 20, 2014 COMMON ERA
THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF ADVENT, YEAR B
THE FEAST OF SAINT DOMINIC OF SILOS, ROMAN CATHOLIC ABBOT
THE FEAST OF SAINT PETER CANISIUS, ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST
THE FEAST OF KATHARINA VON BORA LUTHER, WIFE OF MARTIN LUTHER
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Adapted from this post:
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BLOGA THEOLOGICA 
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