1st Sunday of Advent A

The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.

The gospel for the day
(a useful commentary on the reading here)
Some optional questions for reflection
Prayers of Intercession
Cluster Prayer
The gospel of the week ahead with questions

Matthew 24: 37-44 The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘As it was in Noah’s day, so will it be when the Son of Man comes.

For in those days before the Flood people were eating, drinking,

taking wives, taking husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark,

and they suspected nothing till the Flood came and swept all away.

It will be like this when the Son of Man comes.

Then of two men in the fields one is taken, one left;

of two women at the millstone grinding, one is taken, one left.

‘So stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming.

You may be quite sure of this,

that if the householder had known at what time of the night the burglar would come,

he would have stayed awake

and would not have allowed anyone to break through the wall of his house.

Therefore, you too must stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour

you do not expect.’

This is the gospel of the Lord

Having used our prayer resources, you might want simply to reflect yourself on them and how that might flow into your coming week. Some people have found it very helpful to meet with others and share their thoughts.
If you are interested in joining a small group to share your thoughts and feelings about God's Word from any of the resources you have watched please email us. cluster.alpha@outlook.com

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

Look for a picture of Jesus that fits your image of him and find some quiet time.

After a few minutes of looking, try closing your eyes and think of him there, just listening,

because that is what is happening. Ask for the wisdom to look ahead in your faith journey

this year - and the courage to follow it through - with him at your side every step of the way.

Share your thoughts and feelings with your group (if you are in one).
What will you do during Advent so that others can see that you have put on the light of Jesus Christ?*

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

Prayers of Intercession for the First Sunday of Advent A

As we begin the season of Advent, let us remember the gospel’s words to stay awake and stand ready. This is not idle loitering but eager anticipation at the coming birth of our Lord and Saviour.

The response is: Come Lord Jesus, God be with us.

For Pope Francis, as he continues to lead us in a synodal process,
encouraging us to discuss our beliefs and to share our hopes in a global church
that listens and learns from each other.

Come Lord Jesus, God be with us.

For all those charged with leadership in their countries and communities,
may they be remembered for their compassion towards the most vulnerable
at a time of the twin crises of the high cost of living and climate emergency.

Come Lord Jesus, God be with us.

For ourselves in our faith communities,
as we prepare to give a homely welcome to the Christ child.
Let’s make of ourselves a living Advent calendar –
opening our hearts each day to bring hope and joy to others in their need.

Come Lord Jesus, God be with us.

For all who are struggling with their physical or mental health.

May they experience the Lord’s presence in their sufferings

and find strength from the loving care of family, friends

and the God who promised to be with them always.

We remember too, all on the Prayer Foundation list.

Come Lord Jesus, God be with us.

For our departed sisters and brothers who have gone before us.

May they find rest in God’s loving arms and may all who mourn them

seek comfort in their passing to eternal life.

We remember especially: Mary Thomson, Sadie McCole, Bridget Goonan,

Nancy Barta, Miriam Rodriguez de Chanagá,

Colm O'Brien, Molly Dobson, Joy Ellison, Chris Swanston, Marlene Bonnar

and all those who anniversary falls at this time.

Come Lord Jesus, God be with us.

Let's continue with our cluster prayer.

Prayer to be Missionary Disciples

Lord continue to bless our community
in this time of transition.
Help us on our journey
to grow from a maintenance church
to a missionary church.
Give us the courage
to be missionary disciples.
Make our doors wide enough
to receive all who need
human love and fellowship;
narrow enough to shut out
all envy, pride and prejudice.
Kindle in us the fire of your love
that all who come here
will find joy, peace and love.
Make this a house of prayer
and a gateway to your kingdom.
AMEN

Preparing for next week - Second Sunday of Advent A

Matthew 3:1-12 The one who follows me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

In due course John the Baptist appeared;

he preached in the wilderness of Judaea and this was his message:

‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’

This was the man the prophet Isaiah spoke of when he said:

A voice cries in the wilderness:
Prepare a way for the Lord,
make his paths straight.

This man John wore a garment made of camel-hair with a leather belt round his waist,

and his food was locusts and wild honey.

Then Jerusalem and all Judaea and the whole Jordan district made their way to him,

and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins.

But when he saw a number of Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism

he said to them,

‘Brood of vipers, who warned you to fly from the retribution that is coming?

But if you are repentant, produce the appropriate fruit,

and do not presume to tell yourselves,

“We have Abraham for our father,” because, I tell you,

God can raise children for Abraham from these stones.

Even now the axe is laid to the roots of the trees,

so that any tree which fails to produce good fruit

will be cut down and thrown on the fire.

I baptise you in water for repentance,

but the one who follows me is more powerful than I am,

and I am not fit to carry his sandals;

he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

His winnowing-fan is in his hand;

he will clear his threshing-floor and gather his wheat into the barn;

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

As John says, we have been baptised with the Holy Spirit and with fire,

so let's show the evidence of that each day as we prepare for our Saviour's birth.

Share ideas about how we can be a living Advent calendar - opening our hearts each day through little gestures and acts of kindness towards those around us - and doing it with gratitude and joy!
What do you need to change so that others can learn from watching you that Christ walks among us?*