SOCL, Advent2C

Sunday December 08, 2024

The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight'

See

In today's readings, we hear about preparation and transformation - mountains made low, valleys filled, winding roads made straight. This isn't just about physical landscapes, but about the geography of our hearts. John the Baptist's call to "prepare the way of the Lord" reminds us that Advent is a time of active waiting. Just as a path needs to be cleared and straightened, our lives might need smoothing out, our priorities realigned. What seems like an insurmountable mountain of difficulty, or a deep valley of doubt, can be transformed when we prepare our hearts to receive God's peace.

Listen

Baruch 5:1-9; Psalm 126 (125); Philippians 1:3-6, 8-11; Luke 3:1-6

Reflect

(Luke 3:1-6)

-Like John proclaiming in the desert, sometimes God's voice comes to us in unexpected places and times. Reflect on moments when you've heard God's call in surprising circumstances. How did you respond? What "desert experiences" in your life have led to spiritual growth?

-The reading from Baruch speaks of taking off the "robe of mourning and misery" and putting on "the splendor of glory from God." Consider what "robes" you might need to remove this Advent - perhaps worry, resentment, or fear. What would it mean to wrap yourself instead in God's peace and justice?

-Paul prays that the Philippians' love may "increase ever more and more in knowledge and perception." Think about your own journey of faith. How has your understanding of God's love grown over time? What paths in your life need straightening to deepen that love further?

-The Gospel mentions specific historical figures and places, reminding us that God works within human history and real situations. How do you see God working in the concrete circumstances of your life today? What "paths" need preparing in your family, workplace, or community?

Pray

Lord, as You spoke to John in the wilderness, speak to our hearts today, helping us smooth the rough places in our lives, level the mountains of our pride, fill the valleys of our doubts, clothe us in Your peace, guide us with Your wisdom, and increase our love day by day, that, like John, we may point the way to Jesus, making straight the paths that lead to You. Amen.

References

The Lord Has Done Great Things For Us

One another, Advent1C

December 01, 2024

Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25 (24); 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

Let us begin this season of hope and expectation with hearts and voices raised in prayer to “the Lord or justice”:

That our parish community may “overflow” with the love of Christ for one another and for all: let us pray to the Lord.

That all nations and peoples may dwell secure in the peace and justice of God: let us pray to the Lord.

That this Advent season may be a time, not for mindless consumerism, but for the renewal and re-creation of human hearts: let us pray to the Lord.

That families in crisis and those who are separated and estranged from one another may rediscover love and faithfulness in this season of light and hope: let us pray to the lord.

That the sick and the dying may be strengthened by our prayer and compassion for them: let us pray to the Lord.

That Christ will bring into his Father’s presence the souls of all our deceased relatives and friends [especially _________]: let us pray to the Lord.

That God will grant in kindness and mercy the prayers we now make in the silence of our hearts [Pause...]: let us pray to the Lord.

Come, O Lord, and redeem us. Heal us with your peace, teach us in your ways of justice and mercy, and re-create us in your love. We ask this in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024ad, December 1). First Sunday of Advent. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120124.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.

The Word today, Advent1C

December 02 - December 07, 2024

Monday 02 December

Isaiah 2:1-5 As a new church year opens, our rst reading is a clarion call to start again and set out on the pilgrimage of faith fresh vision and energy. The marvellous image of transforming weapons of war into instruments of agriculture speaks in every age.

Matthew 8:5-11 The faith of the centurion is indeed remarkable: “just give the word.” What “word” from the Lord do I need at this moment in my life?

Tuesday 03 December

St Francis Xavier, religious and priest

Isaiah 11:1-10 The human hope for harmony is portrayed in this reading as a harmony in nature itself, even among the most unlikely animals.

Luke 10:21-24 Jesus pronounces a remarkable prayer in today’s gospel, a very encouraging prayer: we all stand before the mystery and mercy of God, thank God!

Wednesday 04 December

St John Damascene, priest and doctor

Isaiah 25:6-10 This reading is familiar from funerals; it offers a great vision of God and God’s gift of ultimate, comprehensive consolation. The idea that God will destroy death for ever was a hope at the time of writing; in our Christian faith we know that God has achieved this in Jesus.

Matthew 15:29-37 The compassion of Jesus is outstanding in this reading: it is he who names the need and supplies the food. What hunger does he identify in us today? How are we nourished by him?

Thursday 05 December

Isaiah 26:1-6 As you listen, you may notice all the words to do with protection: strong city, gates, rock, citadel, forming a great call to faith and trust in God.

Matthew 7:21,24-27 It is always tempting to think that once you’ve said your prayers, you’re done. The prophets regularly pillory such complacency and so does Jesus. In addition, awareness of local geography adds over to his words. In the Judean desert, there are dry river beds called wadis, subject to ash oods. To build on such an exposed foundation is the very height of foolishness.

Friday 06 December

St Nicholas, bishop

Isaiah 29:17-24 As often in the Bible, there are promises to the deaf, the blind and the poor. Each of us is precisely dead, blind and poor and so the message is for us all today, if only we would pay attention. We hold fast to conviction that the Lord is our light and our help.

Matthew 9:27-31 Miracle stories, like today’s, are always meant to be taken at two levels. Rather than wonder about the past, we could ask in the present, how am I blind? What is my need of the gift of sight which comes with faith?

Saturday 07 December

St Ambrose, bishop and doctor

Isaiah 30:19-21,23-26 The prophet raises the hopes of his hearers with a grand vision of peace and prosperity, a gift of God himself. Such harmony and well being come from following the way offered by God. Their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. (Psalms 1:2–3).

Matthew 9:35-10:1,5,6-8 Again, it is the compassion of Jesus which is outstanding. He feels and he acts and he sends out. Our need for the word of compassion and the healing touch of God is great. Perhaps I too am being called to some ministry in the community of faith or in society at large?

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024ac, December 1). First Sunday of Advent. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120124.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/