Prayer and Reflection Based on the Gospel of the Second Sunday in Advent A
Welcome and Opening Prayer: Lord, we place ourselves in your presence. Send us your Spirit to enlighten our minds and open our hearts to your word. We know Jesus is with us, because we are gathered in his name, and he tells us “…where two or three are gathered in my name I am there among them.”
We invite our holy mother Mary the Seat of Wisdom to be part of our sharing as we say … ‘Hail Mary ….’
We invoke the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit in all that we do as we say … ‘Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.’
1st Reading of Scripture Passage: A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew 3:1-12
In those days came John the Baptist, 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 girdle around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit that befits 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 to 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 baptize 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 baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Silence (3 minutes)
2nd Reading of Scripture Passage
Silence (3 minutes) then sharing of word, phrase or image that left an impression on you.
3rd Reading of Scripture Passage
Silence (3 Minutes) followed by short and voluntary sharing of what stood out for you personally in the reading
Reading of Short Commentary:
“Two kinds of people were coming out to see John. There were ordinary people, genuine penitents, looking for reconciliation with God. There were also Pharisees and Sadducees. However, these came out, not to express sorrow for sin, but to test John’s orthodoxy and observance of the Law. John has little time for them. It is not birth, race, religious affiliation, education, social status, or financial clout that makes us friends of God but our awareness of our total dependence on him for everything we need. Matthew is not just lashing out at some Jewish leaders. The words of John today are primarily directed to ourselves, to the Pharisee and Sadducee in each one of us. Our most dangerous enemy is complacency: “I’m a good enough Catholic. I’m not perfect, of course, I’m not a religious fanatic but I keep the basics of my religion. I’m OK.” Where our relationships with God are concerned, to stay in the same place is to go backwards.
If John the Baptist were to come among us today, what would he tell us? What would he warn us against? As we come to the end of another calendar year where do we need conversion and change in our lives? How can we and our families give better witness to the Christian message? What changes are called for in the way our parish gives corporate witness to the Gospel? The celebration of Advent calls for a serious consideration of these questions.
We are probably well into preparations for the celebration of Christmas. But what preparations have I made for the time afterwards, for the year that is ahead? Will Jesus be really part of my life? Will he really be entering my life in a special way at this time? Are his concerns my concerns? Namely, a desire that I be of service to others that I work with others to build a better society founded on love and justice and an equitable sharing of resources.
“Peace (and justice) on earth to those who are God’s friends” needs to become not just the song of the angels but a programme for me and my community.” ( Sacred Space.ie)
Discussion: Discuss for a few minutes any point that struck you from the commentary? How do we put the word of God that we have heard into practice? Is there something we can do individually or collectively? Are we doing something that could be done better? Are there attitudes that need to change?
Prayers of Intercession – Choose any of the following prayers and, if possible, include your own prayers and petitions:
1. Lord you sent disciples to announce the Good News to all people - sustain those who proclaim your word. Lord, hear us.
2. We pray for those who carry a cross of pain and anguish today – Lord, grant them patience and courage. Lord, hear us.
3. God of all kindness, bless your church - make your people faithful to you. Lord, hear us.
4. Judge of the living and the dead, be merciful to all our deceased family, friends and neighbours; especially N. and N., and receive them into eternal joy. Lord, hear us.
5. Lord remember us as we begin our work, that we work in harmony with others. Lord, hear us.
6. May we always do what is right for our brothers and sisters - and together build a world that is pleasing to you. Lord, hear us.
7. Lord, our refuge and strength, listen to our praise at the conclusion of this day - teach us to praise you always. Lord, hear us.
8. Lord help us to remember the poor and unfortunate particularly as we prepare for Christmas - may we do what we can to ease their burden. Lord, hear us.
9. We pray for the sick and the suffering (pause to remember those we have been asked to pray for). May they receive healing and strenght this day through their faith in Jesus and through our prayers. Lord, hear us.
10. Through the birth of your Son, you have enlightened the world - give us new hope this day. Lord, hear us.
Now we offer all our prayers to God our Father as we pray in the Words that Jesus Gave us … ‘Our Father…’
Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank for this time together which has enabled us to understand better the will of the Father. May your Spirit enlighten our actions and grant us the strength to practice your commands. May we, like Mary, your mother, be open to your will in our lives. You who live and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
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