Gospel for the day -  2nd Sunday of Advent - Year A

Matthew 3:1-12
‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’


In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.” ’


Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptised by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father”, for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.


‘I baptise you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’


This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary

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 please email us: cluster.alpha@outlook.com




Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


The Church's understanding of Advent as a time of reflection and changing our ways, which bears some similarity to Lent, is growing more and more counter-cultural in a consumerist world. Yet in today's gospel, John doesn't mince his words: Repentance is a central element of preparing the way for the Lord. John is equally clear that repentance is not something that happens solely in the silence of our hearts. It has to bear fruit or it is worthless. It must move us to more love, charity and justice in what we do. Then we will be preparing the way for Jesus not only for ourselves, but also for the world around us. Amidst the hustle-bustle of this busy period, perhaps we should make time to listen deeply within and act upon what we find. 


1. Share an experience of how you acted upon something that weighed on your conscience and how you felt afterwards.

2. What do you need to change so that others can learn from watching you that Christ walks among us?*





 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center


Prayers of Intercession

For the Church, may her leaders and all her members live out the call of John the Baptist to repentance, by putting God first in everything and seeking the goodness in all around us. 

Maranatha ... Come Lord Jesus, come


We pray for world leaders that they may heed the call to repentance and work to make straight the paths of justice and peace in our world. We especially pray for the people in Ukraine and the Holy Land that in this season of reconciliation the conflict in these areas may end peacefully.

Maranatha ... Come Lord Jesus, come


For our cluster, that we may actively prepare the way of the Lord. We pray that we may embrace this Advent season as a time of repentance preparing our hearts to receive the Saviour with renewed faith and love. 

Maranatha ... Come Lord Jesus, come


We pray for those who are burdened with poor health, in mind, body or spirit, that the Advent message of hope may help be at peace. We remember especially those named on the Prayer Foundation.

Maranatha ... Come Lord Jesus, come


For everyone in our community who has died and those whose anniversaries occur at this time. We pray for their families that they know their loved ones are with Jesus. In particular we remember: Christopher Bell, Brian Phillips, Pauline Aylott, Stuart Millikin, Mary Williamson and Laurence Loy.

Maranatha ... 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 -  3rd Sunday of Advent - Year A

Matthew 11:2-11
‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’

At that time: When John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’
And Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.’
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
‘What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written,


“Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.”


‘Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.’


This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary



Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


The Church's understanding of Advent as a time of reflection and changing our ways, which bears some similarity to Lent, is growing more and more counter-cultural in a consumerist world. Yet in today's gospel, John doesn't mince his words: Repentance is a central element of preparing the way for the Lord. John is equally clear that repentance is not something that happens solely in the silence of our hearts. It has to bear fruit or it is worthless. It must move us to more love, charity and justice in what we do. Then we will be preparing the way for Jesus not only for ourselves, but also for the world around us. Amidst the hustle-bustle of this busy period, perhaps we should make time to listen deeply within and act upon what we find. 


Q1. Share an experience of how you acted upon something that weighed on your conscience and how you felt afterwards.

Q2. What do you need to change so that others can learn from watching you that Christ walks among us?*



 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center