Scripture - Titus 2:11-14 Shortly after the Russian revolution, a group of journalists & social commentators paid a visit to the newly formed Soviet Union to see how the revolutionaries were getting along in establishing a new type of society. They were shown the model communities in which property had been pooled (or ‘collectivized’). Production was booming & everyone seemed happy in the new, classless society. Among the journalists making the trip was an American named Li

Scripture - James 5:7-11 Having addressed the heartless conduct of the rich previously in his letter, James now sets out to encourage those struggling through the difficulties of life by calling for patience and endurance. < Read 5:7-8 > The rich and powerful may seem to be on top now, often oppressing the faithful poor, but believers must not think that this will always be so. James therefore calls on the faithful poor to wait patiently for the Lord to vindicate their pligh

Scripture - Matthew 3:1-10 On this second Sunday of Advent, the lectionary calls us to anticipate the arrival of that righteous shoot from the line of Jesse who will judge the poor with equity, punish the wicked & bring about a supernatural & incredible kind of peace. This Messiah will fill all the earth in such a way that when he arrives, even the outsiders (including us Gentiles) will rejoice, praise the Lord & be filled with the Holy Spirit. The news that one such as thi