The God who Speaks – Sunday meditations
Provided by Fr Javier Ruiz-Ortiz of Bow Parish (Our Lady Refuge of Sinners and St Catherine of Siena)
06/12
2nd Advent-B
Mk 1:1-8
Meditate: Today we begin to read the Gospel of Mark. He writes the things that are important for him about the Christian message. He does not begin with Jesus because he knows that a preparation is necessary before we can accept Him in our lives. What does it mean for you today repentance and forgiveness of sins?
Act: The people listening to John the Baptist’s message confessed their sins. Perhaps during this Advent you might consider going to confession.
13/12
3rd Advent- B
Jn 1:6-8.19-28
Meditate: John the Baptist appears in today’s readings with a specific mission: to bear witness to Jesus, the Light. Given the current situation of uncertainty, many might think they are in darkness. We are called, by being who we are, to point to Jesus, light of the world
Act: Christ is the Light. make sure that at your times of prayer or in your “prayer corner”, you lit a candle representing Jesus, the Light of the world coming to us.
20/12
4th Advent – B
Lk 1:26-38
Meditate: The angel of the Lord brought Good News to Mary as he does to us “the Lord is with you”. As we finish this year, we might think that God has forgotten us or perhaps he has been busy with other things. The God who became man through Mary has committed his life to ours, never to let us go. Now we need to look for him, perhaps in a different Christmas to the ones we are used to.
Act: Prompted by the angel’s words, Mary went to visit her cousin; perhaps at this Christmas time you might contact some relation, neighbour or friend, or even visit them, if it is safe to do so.
27/12
Holy Family – B
Lk 2:22-40
Meditate: This Gospel recounts an encounter: the meeting of two couples, a young couple with an old couple; a baby with some elderly people. Whereas the Joseph and Mary must have been a bit perplexed, we are told about the reaction of the old people: one praises God because he sees what he has been waiting for all his life; the other tells others of this Child. In this story, what character are you? What is your reaction to meeting Jesus?
Act: Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, tells everyone about the child she had met. Perhaps you could think of a friend, relation, or neighbour, to whom you could tell what the true meaning of Christmas is.