Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 at St Thomas'.
If you are unable to be with us in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "Tell Out My Soul"
Today's Gospel
Matthew 11:2-11Jesus Praises John the Baptist
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Reflection
In recent weeks we’ve heard much about John the Baptist being the fore-runner for Jesus. The one who is to make way for Jesus. The one who has been boldly proclaiming that Jesus is the promised Messiah, spoken of by prophets hundreds of years ago. Yet now he seems to be doubting whether Jesus really is the Messiah.
We don’t know why he suddenly had this uncertainty – all Mattthew tells us is that he had been hearing about some of the things that Jesus had been doing.
He was in prison and no doubt had a lot of time for his mind to wander and question those things he was hearing about Jesus, and he is starting to doubt.
Maybe what he is hearing does not align with his expectations. He might, like many, have had an expectation that Jesus was going to come and conquer with might and power, raising great armies to defeat the Roman Empire - to restore the Israelites as a powerful nation to be reckoned with once again.
John was the one who said that Jesus would come with a winnowing fork in hand to exercise judgement and sort the wheat from the chaff – to sort out the good from the bad. Was he expecting Jesus to come with fire and brimstone to usher in the new kingdom?
But now he is hearing a wholly different story. What he hears in his prison cell are stories about healing: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.
What’s more, Jesus is bringing mercy and forgiveness, not condemnation.
If someone was to ask you to tell John what you see and hear today, what might you say to him? Would you start with newspaper articles or internet news stories about war, poverty climate disasters, or people starving or being oppressed and enslaved? After all that’s what makes up the majority of our daily news.
Or would you talk about the rapid change in technology and exponential power of artificial intelligence, (AI) that can promise huge advances in medical research, productivity and engineering. The potential to make all our lives easier. Or maybe you see AI as a huge threat, where jobs are lost and or where its power is used for fraud and deception as we have seen already with video scams.
How many of us would start with looking at all the blessings and good things in our lives and the world? The fact that the number of good and kind and helpful people far outnumber those who would do us harm. The vast number of people who give to charities, especially at this time of year. Those who give even when it is hard to do so in these cost challenging times. The people who are giving time and skills to help others who are in need, the people who love each other even though they don’t know them.
The reality is that Jesus the Messiah comes, not to conquer with might, but to conquer with love. To lead us by example. An example based on serving and humility, and as followers and disciples of Christ we have been shown the way to bring in His kingdom.
Jesus doesn’t point towards war and destruction, he asks us, as disciples, to follow his example. Jesus’ call to each of us as disciples is toe bear fruit and point to the Good News of God’s grace and mercy. Where we can help usher in the God’s kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven, through acts and signs that show hope and mercy.
Our faith may be tested at times when we hear so much news of suffering, but let us open our eyes and behold all the wonderful things that are happening around us and see the signs of God’s new creation amidst the sadness. Advent is a season of hope for us and for others.
As we look towards our celebration of Jesus’ first coming, let us open our ears and hear His message of hope, and let’s reflect on how we might respond and act to help bring God’s kingdom in, and bring hope to others. As Jesus tells us, “Let anyone with ears listen”, [Matt. 13:9]. That is our clarion call to be doers not just listeners. That is our cue to show humility and serve as one of the least in God’s kingdom,
Paul
Our Prayers
Father God,
As we faithfully await the Feast of the Lord’s nativity,
enable us, we pray, to attain the joys of so great a salvation
and to serve one another with humility and thanksgiving.
Celebrating always
with worship and glad rejoicing.
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
Notices
Below are all of our Christmas Services and Events in Leesfield Parish. Everyone is most welcome to join with us as we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
