3rd Sunday of Advent (15th December, 2019): Prayer and Reflection on the Gospel

Welcome and Opening Prayer: 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 11:2-11
“Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you he 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 he who takes no offense at me.”
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? Why then did you go out? To see a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who wear soft raiment are in kings’ houses. Why 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 thy face,
who shall prepare thy way before thee.’
Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

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:
“John the Baptist is presented by Jesus as one of the greatest persons ever born. Yet he missed the privilege being born into the age of Christ, a privilege that has been made available to us. We could do well to emulate John in preparing ourselves for Jesus to become really part of our lives.

John was strong. He was a man of integrity. He was not one of the rich and famous. He was no pop star – all sound and no substance. He would never have made a glamorous icon for Hello magazine. Yet many people went out to hear him, to be challenged by him, to have their lives radically changed by his words.

Actually, our Christian vocation is similar to his. We are called to prepare the way for Jesus to come into our own hearts but also to prepare other people’s hearts so that they, too, may “experience the joy of salvation”, that healing, wholeness and holiness we all long for and which alone gives real meaning to our lives. Christmas is a time of gifts – both giving and receiving. Let us make sure that among the gifts we offer to others is some of the Christian joy which we ourselves have received. ( Sacred Space)

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.