Second Sunday of Advent 2024 - Year C

The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.

Gospel for the day - Second Sunday of Advent

Luke 3:1-6 'All flesh shall see the salvation of God.'

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall become straight,
and the rough places shall become level ways,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” ’

This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary on the readings.

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)

As it came to John all those years ago so it comes to us: the Word of the Lord – weekly, perhaps daily. In modern times, the words of the gospel do seem like a voice in the wilderness - not a wilderness of things for we are choking the planet with things; rather a wilderness of spirit.

It seems that the message of the gospel belongs to another mentality, another world than the one we are living in. How can you balance all the necessary trappings of Christmas with the coming of the Saviour? (Hint: get along to one of the cluster’s Advent events…)
In what areas of your life do you need God’s forgiveness right now? What Advent practice would assist you in expressing your repentance?*

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

For Pope Francis and the Church throughout the world, that all will be blessed as they continue their mission of proclaiming the Gospel to the ends of the Earth.
Come Lord Jesus, come.

For peace in our world, that all people may live free from violence, in safety and security, and with hope for the future.
Come Lord Jesus, come.

For World leaders that they will govern with integrity and fairness and that all nations will work together to build a World of justice, peace and hope for everyone.
Come Lord Jesus, come.

For ourselves that through our words, actions and joyful spirit we may inspire in others a desire to follow Jesus, and so, find the perfect gift of peace.

Come Lord Jesus, come.

For anyone who feels cut off from God or community. May they discover new connections that inspire faith, hope and joy.
Come Lord Jesus, come.

For all who are sick or in hospital and all those on the Prayer Foundation List, especially Fr, Alex and Joe Kaminski. May Gods healing love strengthen and comfort them.
Come Lord Jesus, come.

For those who have died recently, especially Eddie McKelvey, and all whose Anniversaries occur at this time. May they know the eternal peace of heaven and may those who miss them be comforted by Gods love.

Come Lord Jesus, come.

We will now say together the prayer to be missionary disciples.

Cluster prayer

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

Luke 3:10-18 'And we, what shall we do?'

At that time: The crowds asked John, ‘What, then, shall we do?’ And he answered them, ‘Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.’ Tax collectors also came to be baptised and said to him, ‘Teacher, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Collect no more than you are authorized to do.’ Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.’

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, John answered them all, saying, ‘I baptise you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’ So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.

This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary on the readings.

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

We might reflect on today’s gospel - noting that we have foodbanks and benefits payments; we have industrial tribunals and law courts; we have an NHS and free education. We are mostly paying (through taxes) to have someone else “fix” our society, our world. John the Baptist is not asking for systems to change; he is calling for personal transformation. When that happens all the rest follows.

All personal transformation is three steps forward, two steps back. Make a note of some small change you want to make in yourself over course of this church year. Ask your group for advice about it.
What might John the Baptist challenge you to do differently in your life?*