Second Sunday of Advent B

The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.

The gospel for the day
Commentary on the readings
Some optional questions for reflection
Prayers of Intercession
Cluster Prayer
The gospel of the week ahead with questions

Mark 1: 1-8 A voice cries in the wilderness: prepare a way for the Lord

The beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah:
Look, I am going to send my messenger before you;
he will prepare your way.
A voice cries in the wilderness:
Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.
and so it was that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. All Judaea and all the people of Jerusalem made their way to him, and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins. John wore a garment of camel-skin, and he lived on locusts and wild honey. In the course of his preaching he said, ‘Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.’

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)

Can you remember preparing for the birth of your child (or of helping someone with that event)?

There were so many things to do - sometimes there never seemed to be enough time...

Advent is now - and now is the time to think about how best to prepare.

Go along to the SEECAT Advent Sessions taking place in our cluster - and take along a pal or two.
With whom could you be more patient this week, as God has been patient with you? *

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

In today’s Gospel reading we hear of John the Baptist – A Voice Cries in the Wilderness, Prepare a way for the Lord. We pray for the faith and strength to take this message deep into our own hearts that we may be true and active missionary disciples bearing the light of Christ in our broken world.

Come Lord Jesus, come.

We join with Pope Francis in his prayer for Peace in the land we call Holy. “Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, to the way of Peace, instil in our hearts the courage to take steps to achieve peace”.

Come Lord Jesus, come.

For all who dedicate their lives ceaselessly to the work of justice and peace, especially those who are working to sow seeds of peace in the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan, Yemen, Myanmar and Afghanistan. May our prayers strengthen them so that they will not lose heart at the immensity of the task.

Come Lord Jesus, come.

For all young people pleading for the protection of nature. May we by living simply and treading lightly on the earth help to protect the world they will inherit from the worst ravages of global warming.

Come Lord Jesus, come.

We give thanks and pray for all members of our faith community here in South East Edinburgh. May we support one another in prayer as we journey together in this season of Advent. May we grow in knowledge and love of God. Lord in your mercy R Hear our prayer

For all who are suffering in mind, body or spirit, at home or in hospital, and all those named in the Prayer Foundation. May they be comforted by our prayers, and by the love and compassion of those who care fore them.

Come Lord Jesus, come.

We remember all who have died recently especially… Joe McCole, Giuseppe Rosano, Annette Martini, Alison Davies, George Lackie, Nora Rodgers, Thomas Graham, Bridget Barr, and all those whose anniversaries occur at this time.

We give thanks for their lives and for the privilege of having known them.

Come Lord Jesus, come.

Let us now say together our prayer to be missionary disciples.

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 - Third Sunday of Advent B

John 1: 6-8,19-28 'There stands among you the one coming after me

A man came, sent by God. His name was John. He came as a witness,
as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him.
He was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light.
This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ he not only declared, but he declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ.’ ‘Well then,’ they asked ‘are you Elijah?’ ‘I am not’ he said. ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?’ So John said, ‘I am, as Isaiah prophesied:
a voice that cries in the wilderness: Make a straight way for the Lord.’
Now these men had been sent by the Pharisees, and they put this further question to him, ‘Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the prophet?’ John replied, ‘I baptise with water; but there stands among you – unknown to you – the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal-strap.’ This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.

This is the gospel of the Lord.

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Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

John's style of proclaiming was as "a voice crying in the wilderness..."

In many ways, our modern world is a faith wilderness - many not knowing much about Jesus.

John's strident voice would not go down well with most inquirers nowadays.

Discuss with your group what would be the basics for a "authentic voice" in today's world.
What work of justice could you do this week to bring someone joy? *