Prayers of Intercession
In today’s Gospel, Mary responds with a ‘Yes’ to what is asked of her, the unseen and unimaginable. This is the model of faith to which God calls each of us.
May we experience a renewed sense of wonder at the imminent birth of our Saviour and be always open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, however mysterious and surprising they may seem.
Maranatha
Come Lord Jesus, come
For the church throughout the world, that it becomes a beacon for God’s light and love, and awakens Christ in people’s hearts with the true joy of Christmas, as we celebrate the dignity of each human life.
Maranatha
Come Lord Jesus, come
As we think back to Bethlehem 2000 years ago, we acknowledge and lament the present devastating violence in Palestine and Israel. May the Spirit of God surround and uphold all who are suffering, grieving, and living in fear, and may the arms of comfort and compassion overwhelm the arms of war.
Maranatha
Come Lord Jesus, come
For world leaders, that, through a conversion of their hearts towards a fairer society, babies born now will experience the peace of Christ and not an environmental catastrophe.
Maranatha
Come Lord Jesus, come
For those in our communities for whom Christmas is a time of anxiety because of the ever increasing cost of living. May we continue to play our part in sharing the many gifts with which we have been blessed.
Maranatha
Come Lord Jesus, come
For all expectant parents and for mothers, fathers, grandparents, caregivers, and everyone entrusted with our children’s lives. May they find strength in these uncertain times to carry out their vocation with love and tenderness.
Maranatha
Come Lord Jesus, come
For all who are sick at this time in mind or body. May they find strength and compassion in the hands of those who care for them. We include all on the Prayer Foundation List.
Maranatha
Come Lord Jesus, come
For those who have died and those suffering a loss. May they rest in the peace of the lord.
Especially…….
Maranatha
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 - The Holy Family B
Luke 2: 22-40 My eyes have seen your salvation
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons.
Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:
‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,
just as you promised;
because my eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared for all the nations to see,
a light to enlighten the pagans
and the glory of your people Israel.’
As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’
There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Copyright © 1996-2021 Universalis Publishing Limited: see
www.universalis.com.
Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.
Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). All rights reserved
Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)
Both Simeon and Anna could recognise greatness in what was, to all intents and purposes, just an ordinary poor Jewish couple coming to the temple with their new-born son.
God never undervalues the ordinariness of life - from which comes incomparable value.
- Recall an experience, such as that of Simeon, in which you could see the value of another person and the good that person was bringing about.
- What does your family do to honour and respect its oldest members? *
* All second questions
© The Pastoral Center