Welcome to our Sunday Worship on the Third Sunday of Advent. The third Sunday is known as "Gaudete Sunday", and is traditionally a day for breaking the period of fasting during Advent.
Church services are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes' and 11.00 am at St Thomas'. If you're unable to be with us in person, you'll find the Gospel, a reflection and prayers below.
Our first hymn this morning is "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
Today's Gospel
Matthew 11:2-11 Messengers from 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
We start this Gospel passage with John the Baptist in prison, having some doubts as to whether Jesus is the Messiah that the chosen people have been waiting for. As we heard last week, many thought that the Messiah would come and sort out all that was wrong with the world. They expected that the long awaited Lord would come to chastise and punish, and sort out the wrong doers with his winnowing fork, bringing retribution upon them. But John from what he has heard becomes unsure about Jesus’ approach, and so he sends his messengers to ask him bluntly, “Are you the one who is to come or is there another?”
Jesus sends the message back describing his actions, healing the blind, lame, deaf and lepers. Exactly the words that were foretold by Isaiah (35: 5-6). For Jesus’ ministry is one of compassion and love. The signs of Jesus in the world are the signs of love, generosity, healing, peace, reconciliation, and all that goes to make for a better world, in ways large and small. They are the signs of the kingdom.
It would be wrong for us to assume that John has lost faith in Jesus, moreover, he is looking for reassurance which Jesus is happy to provide by describing the actions that were prophesied by Isaiah.
But there can be times for us also, when we might be tempt to question our faith in Jesus or the church. Especially when things are going wrong in our lives or in the world. Jesus knows this and even if we have doubts, he is waiting to reassure us too.
For many, it is at times when things are a struggle for us that we turn to Jesus most, because we are blessed with a strong faith. Perhaps we might ask ourselves, do I turn to Jesus because I love Him, or do I only seek him out when I need something? The truth is that Jesus is always there for us, waiting for us to come to Him. Jesus is not only our Saviour; He is our friend and our guide and wants to hear us talk with Him and share or lives with Him all the time. Why not make a little time to spend with Jesus, after you’ve read this reflection.
Jesus is always present with us; however, we are often the ones not present to him. If we open our hearts to Him, Jesus will be there with us and He will grace and guide us. May we trust Him always!
As we prepare for his coming this Advent, may we feel His presence and let Him, be the source of or joy and hope. Paul
Our Prayers
Father of all, you sent John the Baptist to straighten the path for your Son Jesus,
That we might hear His word and follow His example of service, compassion and love.
Let our faith not be tested and let feel His presence with us at all times,
Fill or lives with the joy and hope that Jesus wants us all to know.
Amen.
Our final Hymn this morning is "Gaudete"
Notices
Next Sunday evening at 6.30 pm we have our Parish Carol Service at St Thomas' Church. All are warmly invited to come and join us.
Then on Monday the 19th December we'll be out Carol Singing round the village. We'll be meeting at 6 pm at St Thomas' Church, and all are welcome.
