3rd 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 11: 2-11 "A greater than John the Baptist has never been seen."

John in his prison had heard what Christ was doing and he sent his disciples to ask him,

‘Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?’

Jesus answered, ‘Go back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind see again,

and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear,

and the dead are raised to life and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor;

and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’

As the messengers were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the people about John:

‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No?

Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes?

Oh no, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces.

Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet?

Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says:

‘Look, I am going to send my messenger before you;
he will prepare your way before you.'

I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.

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)

"No one could call John's message a gospel, good news; it was basically a threat of destruction. It took Jesus and his Cross to show to men the length, breadth, depth and height of the love of God... The man who has seen the Cross has seen the heart of God in a way that no man who lived before the Cross could ever see it. Indeed the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than any man who went before."

William Barclay, Scottish Biblical Scholar (with apologies for the lack of inclusive language)

When have you felt deeply God's love for you? Recall what triggered your thoughts and feelings.
Write a short prayer of praise and joy because of it. (Share with your group)
How do you prepare yourself to meet Christ in those around you?*

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

Prayers of Intercession 3^rd Sunday of Advent 2022

We pray for Pope Francis, that our Heavenly Father will strengthen and inspire him to lead the People of God so we will all be the light of God’s life and love in our world. We ask the Lord will protect, comfort and be ever closer to Pope Francis as he serves the Church in love.