Second Sunday of Advent
Intro: The Baptist takes up the theme of the ancient prophets to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. We also have to look at ourselves and consider what it really means to be a Christian, by lives which are more open to trust in God's love.
Readings: Isaiah prophesies the coming of the Messiah, whose rule will overflow into a vision of peace among even the animal kingdom, and bring justice, peace and the knowledge of God.
Paul exhorts the Roman Christians to take courage, reminding them that Jesus came to spread the word among pagans too, so uniting Jews and Gentiles.
Isaiah 11: 1 -10;
Romans 15: 4 - 9;
Matthew 3: 1 -12;
"Asked by his teacher what he would do if he opened the door and found Jesus on the doorstep, a wee boy replied, ""rd run in, get the flintily Bible, hand to Him and say, "Jesus, this is Your life!"
When a big show is being recorded, there's often a series of warm up activities, to put the audience in the mood for laughter or participation. Same if there's a big concert ("gig") - some smaller groups , support bands to prepare for the main event.
Maybe it's difficult to see John the Baptist in quite the same role as a support band, but his life was spent preparing hearts and minds for the God who was to come. He had one purpose in life: to call people to repentance, "because the Kingdom of heaven is close at hand,"
In a culture which was outwardly very religious, with strict laws and customs, John reminds the people, especially the Pharisees and Saduccees, that there has to be a connection between outward observance and daily living, between rituals and confession of sins. He reminded them that the simple claim of being a "son of Abraham" wouldn't necessarily be enough to gain the Kingdom; God wasn't going to be interested in family trees which bore no fruit of changed lives. John challenges their perception of superiority as God's Chosen People: no use clinging to notions of privileged ancestry, because, as he tells them contemptuously, God could raise up children for Abraham out of mere stones.
John wanted to re-establish the harmony between words and actions; he convicts Jesus absolves! For us, being Christian isn't magical. It's not a case of being baptised and then lying back, thinking, "my work is done."
Christian life isn't that simple. It will involve struggles and difficulties as well as freedom and joy. It will involve a certain amount of ruthlessness in rooting out sin in our lives, as a gardener roots out weeds or prunes trees. But it also means being gentle with ourselves; because we'll always fall on the path to repentance - there's no such thing as a completely weed-free garden!
So this Advent, Iets take a step back and have a real, honest look at our lives to see what needs changing. Let's allow ourselves to be properly challenged by the
Baptist's call to repentance - to know our sins, to repent of them and seek forgiveness of those we have hurt. Maybe I need to look at the way I approach confession (or even go to confession!). Has it simply become a little litany of rattled-off sins which I've been confessing for the last x number of years. Instead, it has to become a face-to-face, sit down encounter with a compassionate
Christ in Whom I fully believe. No? Now is the time to pray and repent.
Intercessions
The Lord came to save and transform the world in which we live, and St. Paul insists that He will always be there to help us, especially if we refuse to give up. So let's not be too downcast, either about our own problems, or even those of our world, as we place them in the hands of our loving Father:-
1. For the Church throughout the world. May She continue to grow in strength and holiness and work to prepare the way for Your Son's coming in a spirit of humility and repentance- Lord, hear us.
2. For our broken world. May Jews, Arabs and Christians alike come to recognise their common history and destiny in You, as they strive to make justice and peace flourish, so that we may live in an atmosphere of harmony and mutual respect - Lord, hear us.
3. For those who feel weighed down and overcome by habitual sin. Help them to trust in Your unquestioning love, and seek Your forgiveness during this season - Lord, hear us.
4. For ourselves and our parish. Strengthen us in our weakness, and give us the courage and openness of heart to see You both in others, and in everything we do for You and for them - Lord, hear us.
5. May Llam Collins, Martin Mellon, Charles Trower, Margaret McLachlan, Robert McMahon who have died recently, together with Teresa Slatery, Joseph Cook, Marcus Simpson, William and Harny Campbell, whose anniversaries occur about this time, experience both Your justice and Your mercy, so that they may live in Your presence forever - Lord, hear us.
God our Father, You call us to repentance through a change of mind and heart, as we open our hearts to You in these prayers, strengthen and transform us to be the people You created and called us to be.