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.
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Second Sunday of Advent. Our Church Services this morning are at 9.15 am at St Agnes' and 11.00 am 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 "On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry"
Today's Gospel
Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist Prepares the Way
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’”
Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptised by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
“I baptise you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Reflection
Last week we looked at the need to be prepared and how the season of Advent is a time for reflection, prayer and penitence. A time when we need to prepare for the second coming of Christ by emulating him and leading righteous lives.
In this week’s gospel passage Matthew describes the way in which John the Baptist was telling people how to prepare for Jesus’ ministry and the first coming of the Messiah. How to make straight the path for the Lord through repentance.
A good starting point is to think about what we mean by repentance. It is clearly much more than saying I am sorry in a perfunctory way, with no real commitment or genuine remorse.
Repentance is about taking a good hard look at ourselves and examining where we have fallen short in our actions and thoughts and how we treat one another. It requires us to be honest with ourselves and accept the reality of where we have gone off course. It requires us to acknowledge the truth that we are all sinners in one way or another and confess what we have done wrong and the need to make things right.
Repentance is about being genuine with ourselves and not trying to make excuses for our behaviour or blame someone else – it is about accepting responsibility, declaring I am not fine, I am a sinner and in need of cleansing and forgiveness. It also has to be matched with a genuine commitment to change – and do things better and differently in the future. If we do not accept the need to reform, then we are not really sorry. We are not making the path straight for coming of the Messiah.
That is why John the Baptist reacted so negatively to the Pharisees and Sadducees who were coming to be baptised in the wilderness. He could see through the façade of their intentions. They were religious leaders and pious hypocrites who had heard about this religious teaching of John’s and the need to be cleansed by baptism. They doubtless thought it would look good for them to come along and take part in front of the crowds.
But John has no truck with them and calls them out – he names them as a brood of vipers. It was as much an insult then as it is to call someone a snake in today’s world. It signified their deceptiveness, like the serpent in the Garden of Eden which led to the fall of man. His point being that you need to do more than be seen to be good, you need to be good at heart as well.
We can demonstrate our genuine desire to make straight the path for the Lord in the way we change our ways and behave better. John refers to this as bearing fruit. Here is the really positive thing – when we confess our sins and show a desire to change it is not a shameful thing. It is a way of healing and receiving forgiveness. God wants us to repent and he wants us to be part of his kingdom. God doesn’t want us to live with a cloud of shame hanging over us and darkness in our hearts.
Jesus shows us time and time again when he consorted with sinners how we can change our lives and be saved. Jesus loves us so much that he died on the cross to save and redeem us all.
Repentance is how we each prepare for Jesus’ arrival. To repent is a way of acknowledging that our way is not working and that we are ready to accept the way of God as Jesus showed us. It prepares us to receive God’s divine healing and forgiveness.
Paul
Our Prayers
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the message of John the Baptist
and his call to repentance.
Help us to prepare our hearts and lives for the coming of Jesus.
Transform us from the inside out,
and may Your Spirit help us to bear fruit
in keeping with genuine repentance.
Guide us to live authentically and faithfully for Your glory.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending"
Notices
This afternoon we have our Parish Christingle Service at 3 pm at St Thomas' Church. Everyone is invited to join us.
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the First Sunday of Advent. Our Church Services this morning are at 9.15 am at St Agnes' and 11.00 am at St Thomas'.
If you are unable to be with us in person, you will find resources below to worsip at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "Long Ago, Prophets Knew"
Today's Gospel
Matthew 24:36-44The Need for Watchfulness
Jesus said to the disciples, “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
Reflection
It's the start of a new church year as we enter the season of Advent.
It’s also a time for preparation and looking forward to the coming of Jesus, the Son of Man. In his book, ‘An Advent Manifesto’, Martyn Percy describes it as follows, “at first glance it is a seemingly inauspicious event – a child conceived out of wedlock to a teenage young woman, born in a room shared with livestock”.
But as we know this was no ordinary child, he was the incarnation of God, in the human form of Jesus, the Messiah. As we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth we are also called to prepare for Jesus’ second coming which he refers to in this passage from Matthew’s gospel.
Advent is a season of prayer, reflection and penitence. It is common to wish someone ‘many happy returns’ on their birthday, and as well as reflecting on the return of Jesus it is a time for each of us to return to Jesus and commit ourselves to living lives where Jesus plays a central part.
The boy scout motto is ‘be prepared’ and that is exactly the message that Jesus gives us – be prepared. Many of you will be preparing for Christmas by shopping, buying presents, decorating and putting up tinsel and lights. Indeed yesterday a group of people spent most of the day decorating the church with trees and baubles and other trimmings.
Some of you will be well-organised and may have already started planning and doing things, and others will leave it to the last minute - wrapped up in work and busyness. But the thing is, because you know exactly when Christmas happens you will make preparation so that all goes as well as it can.
But the preparation we need to do for Jesus’ return is not that easy. The point is, we know that Jesus will return because he has promised us that he will come again in power and glory to restore God’s kingdom - but we don’t have any idea when that will be. Or how it will happen. No one does apart from God our Father.
Jesus is not going to send a WhatsApp or Zoom invitation to put in our digital calendar so we can start living our lives better. Quite the opposite, it will be sudden and unexpected. So how can we possibly be prepared?
Being prepared involves constant vigilance and reflecting about at how we live our lives now. How do we relate to God who loves us so much he gave his only Son to become human and live amongst us and to die for us on the Cross.
Being prepared involves us thinking more about God and his love for us and sharing that love with one another, following the example that Jesus set for us. Jesus told us how to live and look after one another and how important it is to give thanks to God. If we do that then the very way we live our lives will be preparation for his coming again.
Maybe we should ask ourselves this question, ‘If Jesus returned tomorrow how prepared would we be?’
Where did I spend quality time with God, praying and talking to him? Thanking God and reaching out for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to show me how to be a better person.
It is striking that in the scenarios Jesus uses, he describes everyday situations. When he cites to story of Noah in Genesis, he talks about people going about their everyday lives, eating and drinking and getting married. They are consumed by the busyness of their lives but they have no time for God.
When he gives examples of the two people in field and the two people grinding meal, he is describing everyday folk going about their lives. It is not a sin to work or go about our lives, but if we are to be prepared we must go about our business in the way that Jesus showed us. We need to live our lives with generosity and kindness, welcoming the stranger and the outcast. Showing compassion and love, helping to build God’s kingdom here on earth in anticipation of Jesus’ return.
On my phone I get a message every week which tells me how much time I’ve spent on my phone, talking, messaging, screentime etc. I wonder what picture a similar app would paint about how much time we spend living our lives in a way that prepares us for Jesus’ return?
Advent is a time for reflection and repentance but it’s not about beating ourselves up; it’s about looking at ourselves framed in the context of the unlimited mercy and love of God. To quote Martyn Percy again, “God’s love arrived in the person of Jesus Christ, unmerited and unbidden – so our love for ‘others’ must be unbidden too, especially the least in our world. We love because God loved us first."
Our preparation for Jesus’ second coming needs to be no more and no less than living our lives as he showed us. Paul
Our Prayers
Loving Father,
We thank you that in your endless love,
You sent your only Son Jesus Christ to be with us.
As we walk our Advent path,
Help us to journey with him to that stable in Bethlehem
And not be distracted by the busyness of our lives.
Keep our hearts aflame with the promise of his coming.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "Longing for Light, We Wait in Darkness"
Notices
Please see below posters for all of our Advent Services and Events in Leesfield Parish
