Advent Devotional for December 12th

"St. Peter invited to walk on the water"
Francois Boucher, 1766

"Peter answered him, 'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.' He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!'" - Matthew 14:28-30
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"Jesus said, 'Life moves by exchanges; loss is the price of gain. Some pay with one thing, some with another; whatever is most dear, that is my price.' I said, 'Why is that your price?' Jesus said, 'What is dear is what is held dear, and there can be no holding by those who will be here with me and gone with me.'" (Russell Hoban, Pilgermann)
+++++"He takes leave of the earthly pantomime
Quietly, knowing it is time to go.
'I am just going outside and may be some time,'
At the heart of the ridiculous, the sublime."
(Derek Mahon, Antartica)
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What is it that you hold most dear? What would it take - what would it mean - for you to leave it behind?

(St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Advent Devotional for 2005)