3rd Sunday of Advent
- 2025 -
Year A
The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.
- The gospel for the day
- Some optional questions for reflection
- Prayers of Intercession
- Cluster Prayer
- The gospel of the week ahead with questions for reflection
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)
In today's gospel John the Baptist is in prison and confronted by doubts. John's idea of a Messiah doesn't coincide with how Jesus is acting. Perhaps like many of us, he expected someone who would sweep into the world and sort things out wholesale. What he is hearing about, is a gentle individual, no wealth, no trappings and seemingly no power. Jesus doesn't rebuke John for his doubts but neither does he directly assert his identity. He sends back word of what he has done.
We can perhaps empathise with John, who is a prisoner because of his preaching in support of Jesus. He preached that Jesus would set the prisoners free, and it would probably be noted by John that Jesus' response doesn't mention freeing prisoners! John could be forgiven for being disappointed and doubting. It is clear, from the end of the passage that Jesus does not condemn John but calls him the greatest of all people born of women. However, Jesus is bringing his message and will not be diverted from that, either by the disappointment of his followers or the machinations of those who are scared that he will challenge their vested interests.
The good news that Jesus brings does not seem to be what anyone expects. Jesus knows this and blesses those who are not put off. When asked if he is the Messiah Jesus responds by describing his actions. It is in his actions that he reveals he is indeed the Messiah. In today's world it is our actions that need to show Jesus' message is still alive!
Q1. Jesus seems less concerned about the label people allocate to him than that you do good - do you agree?
Q2. What good thing have you done so far during Advent to be like Jesus?*
* All second questions
© The Pastoral Center
Prayers of Intercession
Today is Gaudete Sunday. “Gaudete in Domino Semper” which means “Rejoice in the Lord Always”. Let the spirit of joy be with our world leaders as they try to reach agreement and put the needs of humanity above everything else. We ask God to continue to inspire our community and all communities, to promote acts of love and kindness to each other, recognising that these are instruments of peace and hope in a world full of conflict and despair.
Maranatha ... Come Lord Jesus, come
Amidst the hiatus and consumerism of Christmas preparations, may the Church be a beacon of light, encouraging us, on our Advent journey, to find quiet moments for stillness and reflection that we may experience the peace and the true joy of Christ's birth
Maranatha ... Come Lord Jesus, come
Maranatha ... Come Lord Jesus, come
Let us joyously celebrate the coming of our Saviour by opening our hearts and giving generously to all those in need at this time and throughout the year.
Maranatha ... Come Lord Jesus, come
Oh Lord, bring your healing power to those who are enduring pain and illness, those who are suffering from bereavement and all those on the prayer foundation list. We pray that the Holy Spirit will be with them and their families and that they will receive all the love and support they need at this time.
Maranatha ... Come Lord Jesus, come
For those who have recently died, for those who are grieving and for those whose anniversaries occur at this time, We remember especially Chris Hampton, Christopher Bell, Pauline Aylott, Brian Phillips and Stuart Millikin May they rest in peace and live in glory in the Lord’s Kingdom
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
Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)
Here we have Matthew's account of the Annunciation in which an angel speaks to Joseph rather than, as recorded in Luke's gospel, an angel speaks to Mary. As with Mary's "let it be" to a motherhood outside of her betrothed state, so Joseph goes against the accepted law and agrees to take a pregnant Mary as his wife. Jesus is born through the breaking of the status quo. God enters the world with a direct challenge to the mantra that boasts "it's always been done this way".
Indeed, his whole life is a continuation of that challenge to the way the world thinks is normal. Christmas is about transformation, but the 'how' for us personally has to start with us looking at 'our normal' and comparing it to the gospel message. This is not a one-off job, nor even a weekly job - it's the work of a lifetime. To learn about his lifetime as we live our own is to read the gospel regularly and often - and to allow it to transform us one day at a time. Perhaps we could try reading the gospel daily for a while? Apart from the book form, there are plenty of free options online such as www.universalis.com and www.catholic-daily-reflections.com
Q1. The most used phrase in the Bible is: "do not be afraid". It was said both to Joseph and Mary. Resolve to nibble away at your fear of doing God's will for you.
Q2. Whom do you find it difficult to welcome in your life? What can you do to overcome that?*
* All second questions
© The Pastoral Center
Gospel for the day - 3rd Sunday of Advent - Year A
Matthew 11:2-11
‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’
IAt 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