The LORD said: I made a wonderful promise to Israel and Judah, and the days are coming when I will keep it. I promise that the time will come when I will appoint a king from the family of David, a king who will be honest and rule with justice. In those days Judah will be safe; Jerusalem will have peace and will be named “The LORD Gives Justice.”
Jeremiah 33: 14-16

Reflect on the word JUSTICE for a few moments.

Every three years we prepare to elect leaders for our nation who we hope will be honest and govern with justice. I hear leaders speak of our being a just society. They claim that right values form the basis of who we are. Yet our leaders form policies that create injustice in the name of peace and justice.

Shouldn’t we find ways for spending our dollars in the pursuit of justice? While we deplore and condemn violence and injustice in other lands and societies, shouldn’t we deplore and condemn injustice in our own land and commit ourselves to working for peace with justice in our country?

Working for justice is not easy. It requires us to:

• Listen and not dismiss voices calling for justice.
• Respect genuine differences and see them as strengths.
• Bring healing to the memory of scars.

“The LORD Gives Justice”. Can we believe the words of the prophet Jeremiah in this 21st century?

Lord of Unbroken Promises, give me the wisdom to discern how to make the world safe for our children.

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© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera

For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.

When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.

The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.

A time of Advent reflection

I will listen to you, LORD God,
Because you promise peace to those who are faithful and no longer foolish.
You are ready to rescue everyone who worships you,
So that you will live with us in all of your glory.
Love and loyalty will come together;
Goodness and peace will unite,
Loyalty will sprout from the ground;
Justice will look down from the sky above.
Psalm 85: 8-11

Reflect on the word SILENCE for a few moments.

It is hard to listen. My world is full of sounds:

The alarm clock waking me to a new day; the kettle whistling with hot water for my cup of coffee; weather reports, traffic reports, news reports, TV talk shows. Voices questioning, commenting, talking, filling the air with sound bites that drown the silence of the new day. How can I possibly listen in silence when there is so much happening around me?

Am I afraid to listen? If I do listen will I hear the Psalmist’s words echoing ‘loyalty will sprout from the ground’? Or see justice looking down from the sky? Do I really want to know how love and loyalty come together? Or experience the uniting of goodness and peace? Am I afraid of being silent in case I feel uncomfortable with what I hear? Or if I am challenged to act?

The sound of my front door closing tells me that I am being pushed into a world of busyness. Perhaps I will be drowned in a sea of sound that makes it hard for me to hear God.

It is hard to listen.

God of Goodness and Peace, help me to learn to listen.

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© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera

For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.

When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.

The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.

A time of Advent reflection

The Spirit of the LORD God has taken control of me!
The LORD has chosen and sent me to tell the oppressed the good news,
To heal the brokenhearted, and to announce freedom for prisoners and captives.
This is the year when the LORD God will show kindness to us and punish our enemies.
Isaiah 61: 1-2

Reflect on the word COMPASSION for a few moments.

In worn and threadbare clothes he shuffled his way along the busy street. Sometimes he’d pause to gaze at a brightly decorated shop window. He’d shuffle quickly past people dressed in designer clothes. Sometimes he’d stop and look into the lifeless eyes of figures in an illuminated nativity scene. The holiday season meant nothing to him. The slogans “goodwill” “peace on earth” “have a merry Christmas” floated past him unheard. The holidays were to be endured before the streets came back to normal. Like a bent reed he stumbles in silence along the brightly lighted streets, and disappears into anonymity.

Why is it so hard to respond when people blend into the anonymity of hopelessness? What can we do to help? Perhaps we feel sorry when we watch a news item on TV and look into the eyes of displaced people, especially the eyes of children. Does it prompt us to send a contribution to one of the agencies doing relief work? Do our feelings of compassion evaporate when we get caught up in daily routines?

I remember reading somewhere that there is grace in compassion. I need to think about that. Perhaps God is asking me to show compassion as a gift I can offer to those I know who need my help. I wish I knew what to do.

God of Caring and Compassion, touch me and show me your compassion that I may learn to care.

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© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera

For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.

When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.

The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.

Our God has given us a mighty Savior
From the family of David his servant.
Long ago the Lord promised by the words of his holy prophets
To save us from our enemies and from everyone who hates us.
God said he would be kind to our people and keep his sacred promise.
He told our ancestor Abraham that he would rescue us from our enemies.
Then we could serve him without fear, by being holy and good as long as we live.
Luke 1: 69-75

Reflect on the word PROMISES for a few moments.

How often do we look back and recall the “good old days”!

As people of ancient times waited for the birth of a Messiah they looked back and wondered if it would occur in their lifetime. Would God honour the promise of a Saviour made to the Jews?

When I recall childhood promises I sometimes wonder if they did come true. Have I replaced them with new promises believing that I can do better now? I wonder how often I’ve forgotten obligations attached to promises I’ve made. Do ‘sacred’ promises still take place or is it another memory from the good old days?

I read of promises God made to save and protect those who were called “his people” and to those who had faith in him. Are there parallels in our time, when God makes promises to rescue us from our enemies, to heal our world so we can live without fear? Or, am I asking the wrong questions or looking in the wrong direction for answers?

Holy God may I accept and honour your promises as long as I live.

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© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera

For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.

When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.

The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.

God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain and into the most holy place.
Hebrews 6: 18-19

Reflect on the word HOPE for a few moments.

“I so hope it won’t rain!” “Hopefully we’ll find a space to park” “Let’s hope we have sufficient food for everyone” “I hope God will heal me soon” “Be careful what you hope for!” and so the list goes on. Hope slips easily into wishful thinking.

What do we hope for in today’s world without borders? Where is hope found by?
Thousands fleeing their homelands to be safe?
Asylum seekers outside island nations which are protected by fences?
A mother and child squatting on an unsafe boat carrying them away?
The wage earner made redundant in the name of economic rationalisation?
A family grieving for their teenage child killed in a drug-induced brawl?
A person who is diagnosed with a terminal illness?

Where do we find hope in times of depression, uncertainty, fear, feeling lost or when we get disturbing news? Does it become a distant dream, wishful anticipation or an achievable reality?

God can be trusted. This is the basis for hope. God is faithful and encourages us to reach out to the hope that is often within our reach, but that we do not see.

Lord All-Powerful, I need to know you through your presence in my life that gives me hope when I am in need.

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© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera

For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.

When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.

The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.