Second
Sunday of Advent
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance
and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings
and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus
Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Advent Two
Betsy
Porter
The Prophet Elijah
egg
tempera and gold leaf on gessoed board
11" x 14"
painted 2001 in an icon workshop taught by Vladislav Andrejev and his
son Nikita Andrejev
St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church, San Francisco, CA.
Early in his career, Elijah angered the king with an unfavorable prophecy (1 Kings 17, 1-7). God directed him to withdraw to the wilderness, where the ravens would feed him. Here he sits discouraged and isolated, in front of his cave in a rocky landscape. We follow his surprise when a raven, normally a scavenger, actually brings food for him. He stands as an example of trust in God under adverse conditions; and brings to mind Christ’s 40 days in the desert. The words of the border come from Psalm 62.