Advent 2022 - Live simply - St Alban & St Stephen Catholic Church

During Advent we are called to prepare for change and new life.
This year the parish will consider whether, as a parish community, we should commit to living simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the poor.

As part of that discernment you are invited to pray about the Sunday readings by considering the following reflections for each week during this season of Advent.

1^stSunday of Advent 2022 Gospel and Reflection

Gospel – Matthew 24:37–44
The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Jesus said to his disciples:

“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realise what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

“Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.

“So, you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

Discussion Points

What strikes you most when reading this passage?
What do you think this passage is asking of you?
How are you preparing for the Lord’s return?
Water can be devastating, but it is also a life-giving force.
Am I being called to use it more responsibly?
Do I need to change? How? What?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me to be grateful and to value the gift of clean and plentiful water.

2^ndSunday of Advent 2022 Gospel and Reflection

Gospel – Matthew 3:1–12
Prepare the way for Jesus

In those days, John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said,

“His is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’ ”

John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “you brood of snakes!’ he exclaimed. “Who warned you to feel God’s coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God’s judgement is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

“I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am – so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”

Discussion Points

Who am I prepared to listen to?
Who do I listen to?
Where/who are the prophetic voices today?
Where did I meet Christ today?
How can I live more simply mindful that the food I eat
is a gift to be enjoyed?
What does baptism and the Holy Spirit mean to me?

Prayer

God our Father, thank you for the many people who share their wisdom and set a good
example to others, especially to the young.

3^rd Sunday of Advent 2022 Gospel and Reflection

Gospel – Matthew 11:2–11
Bringing Good News to the poor

John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”

Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen – the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me. ‘ ”

As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer to when they say,

Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, And he will prepare your way before you.

“I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!”

Discussion Points

Who are today’s prophets? How are they to be recognized?
Who has been a messenger in your life?
When have you been a messenger?
How would you define poverty? Who, to your mind, are the poor?
What do I really need to live a happy life? Would living simply help me in this?
Am I conscious of my needs? Am I able to voice these?
John was imprisoned for his beliefs.
What commitments am I prepared to   make in order to live simply?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, guide us as we seek to turn to you and be your messengers of the
Good News in our daily lives.

4^thSunday of Advent 2022 Gospel and Reflection

Gospel – Matthew 1:18–24
They will call him Emmanuel

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

All of this occurred to fulfil the Lord’s message through the prophet:
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.

Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors to Christ. John Paul II

Discussion Points

Mary and Joseph were called to live differently. What are you being
called to do differently?
Mary and Joseph risked the ridicule of family, friends and society.
When have you risked the ridicule of others?
Many see ‘living simply’ as an alternative lifestyle. How do you see
others who embrace a simple or alternative lifestyle?
Mary and Joseph’s openness to God teaches us something.
What do you feel those ‘living simply’ have to teach you?
How might the invitation to ‘live simply’ change or influence your
celebration of Christmas?