Sunday 15 December - Anointed me to Proclaim

Readings

Psalm 32, Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 4:14-23 and Philippians 4:4-7

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, Isaiah 61:1-2

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all  understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:4-7

Reflection

When Jesus stands in the synagogue, picks up the scroll and begins to read, little did the hearers of that day fully know what was about to happen. The familiar passage from Isaiah is read from chapter 61. verses 1 and 2.

In Advent we are faced once more with this dream which appeared to end on Calvary, but in reality carried on through time and space to us.  Jesus envisaged a world where the light of Christ would overcome the darkness of sin and ignorance, where no one would be left out, ignored, forgotten or unhealed. Where there would be a special time of blessing, when debts would be written off, rifts healed, old scores forgiven and families would live in peace.  Not for one year of course,  as the Jewish law proclaimed, but for always.

We are carriers of that dream, and Advent is the time to look at it again.  St. Teresa's prayer "Christ has no hands but ours..." becomes a reality - we are offered the chance to reach out to heal, to forgive, to reconcile, to place love at the heart of the Church and the world, as St. Theresa put it.  (this can be found at the back of the booklet).

This third Sunday of Advent, Philippians 4:4-7  is read.  Known as “Gaudete Sunday”,  “Gaudete” meaning “rejoice”.  We remind ourselves again of the hope of Christ’s

return.

Prayers

Loving God, growing within my heart is a deepening awareness and gratitude of your love for me;
Like the sun which rises each morning to remind me of the blessings of each new day I am reminded of your presence.

Thank you for these weeks of prayer. In the spirit of the waiting season, bless all that is to come and make me ready to receive you. Come, Lord Jesus!  Come! Amen