LISTEN – OBEY – COOPERATE
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Gather as a family/ community; create an environment appropriate for prayer (dress appropriately - switch off your phones...).
We are conscious that Christ is present not only in the Blessed Sacrament but also in the Scriptures and in our hearts. Even when we are on our own, we remain a part of the Body of Christ.
Place lighted candles, a crucifix, and the Bible on a covered table. These remind us of the sacredness of our time of prayer and could help us feel connected with our local worshipping communities.
You may sing or play an appropriate hymn. For instance:
The Sign of the Cross
Greeting and Introductory Words
L: The Lord invites us to the table of his Word: let us bless him for his goodness.
A: Blessed be God forever.
L: A psychologist wrote: “When people find life too much for them, one swears, one gets a headache, one gets drunk, and one prays.”
Life does get tough! Today’s liturgy challenges us to not give up to not become bitter, but to listen for God’s voice and will.
Penitential Rite
L: For the times we have failed to listen to God’s voice and to obey him, we ask him to forgive us.
Pause
L: Lord Jesus, you are the promised Emmanuel, God-with-us:
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you came to save us from our sins:
Christ, have mercy.
A: Christ, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you were obedient to your Father:
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
A: Amen.
Opening Prayer
L: Eternal God,
in the words of the prophets,
in the dream of Joseph
your promise is spoken:
in the womb of the Virgin Mary
your Word takes flesh.
Teach us to welcome Jesus, the promised Emmanuel,
and to preach the good news of his coming,
that every age may know him
as the source of redemption and grace.
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.
A: Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
Readings
The readings are those assigned for the day in the Lectionary.
Preferably use a Bible/ Lectionary for reading.
Reading 1 Isaiah 7:10-14
Psalm Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Response Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.
Reading 2 Romans 1:1-7
Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
The virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel.
Gospel Matthew 1:18-24
Reflection on the Readings
Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.
Lectio Divina
What are your thoughts and feelings when you read that Joseph decided to divorce Mary quietly because he was “unwilling to expose her to shame” and later that “he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home”?
Sunday Snippets
Elisabeth Elliot (who worked for several years with the Huorani in Ecuador) tells of two adventurers who came to see her, loaded with equipment for their adventure in the Andes. They sought no advice, just a few phrases to converse with the Indians!
She writes: “Sometimes we come to God as the two adventurers came to me—confident and, we think, well-informed and well-equipped. We know what we need… a yes or no answer to a simple question. Or perhaps a road sign. Something quick and easy to point the way. But has it occurred to us that with all our stuff, something is missing? What we ought to have is the guide himself.”
I guess we can identify with Elliot’s experience. In moments of difficulty, we come to God but seldom to seek his guidance; we come to ask him to approve our plans!
I guess Joseph would identify with Elliot’s experience!
When Joseph discovered that Mary was pregnant, he knew that law and custom required him to denounce Mary. But “since he was a righteous man, and unwilling to expose her to shame, he decided to divorce her quietly.” Joseph decided to go beyond law and custom; he let compassion guide his decision.
But God intervened and made clear to him that he would have to recognize the child in Mary’s womb as his own. Joseph “did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him”. He goes even beyond love; he allowed God to guide him and took a leap of faith into an unknown and difficult situation.
This listening-obeying-cooperating with God’s action results in the birth of Jesus.
Mary did the same. She, too, listened to God, and despite questions, obeyed his will, and cooperated with him. The result: the incarnation.
Paul, in the second reading, is another example of this divine-human dynamic: he, too, listened to God, obeyed him, and facilitated the birth of Jesus in the new churches.
God’s coming in our world still depends on “Josephs” and “Marys”: men and women of humility and docility.
In moments of dilemma, do I seek merely God’s approval and rely on my own strength to arrive at decisions? Or do I listen to his voice, obey his will, and cooperate with his plan for me?
May you and I listen-obey-cooperate and make Christmas still happen!
Questions to Ponder
Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:
Reading 1: God gave a sign to Ahaz, who hadn’t even asked for one. Does God give signs that aren’t requested? Give some examples. Do I miss any of God’s plans for me? Why/ why not?
Reading 2: Paul says the Gospel is about God’s Son, descended from David. How can a human being from our history books be God’s own self?
Gospel: List the obstacles God encountered in bringing Jesus into the world. Is anything obstacle-free? How can good come out of obstruction?
“When Joseph awoke…” Did Joseph wake up in more than one way?
The Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
L: My sisters and brothers, our saving God hears the cries of his people. Let us entrust to him all our longings and of all people, as we pray: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: For the Church: that we, like Joseph, may wholeheartedly live our faith traditions and yet remain open to the mystery of God's unconventional work in our lives and the world, we pray to the Lord…
R: For the world: that the coming of the Prince of Peace may bring healing and safety to those impacted by domestic violence, civil disturbance, and warfare, we pray to the Lord…
R: For all who are away from home this season: that God may guide those in the military, relief workers, and missionaries, and protect them from all danger, we pray to the Lord…
R: For reconciliation within families: that in our celebrations of God being with us, we may forgive past hurts and strive to renew relationships in our families, we pray to the Lord…
R: For the sick and the suffering: that we may reach out to them in compassion, we pray to the Lord…
R: For ourselves: that, like Mary and Joseph, we may enter the mystery of God’s loving actions and co-operative with his work even when we do not understand, we pray to the Lord…
L: God of salvation, you sent your Son to dwell among us and be our saviour. Hear our prayers that one day we might enjoy everlasting glory with you. Through Christ our Lord.
A: Amen.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
The Lord’s Prayer
Spiritual Communion
A: Jesus, I know and believe in your real presence in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. It is you I desire to love and receive above all things. As I am unable to receive your sacramental presence now, come and be with me in heart and soul. Let my entire self be united with you as I welcome you again and know your loving embrace. Amen.
Post Spiritual Communion Reflection
Lord,
we can identify with Joseph’s fears and his hesitation
to accept a pregnant Mary as his wife;
we can understand Mary’s question and anxiety
to have a child
– though conceived through the Spirit –
out of wedlock.
When you enter our lives,
you turn them around
because you ask for complete commitment.
Help us to discern your will for us
and guide with your signs
that tell us you are with us even now
as Emmanuel.
CONCLUDING RITE
Concluding Prayer
L: God our Father,
give us the simple receptivity
of children and of the humble,
that you may live among us
and fill our long waiting with the presence
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is Lord for ever and ever.
A: Amen.
Blessing
L: The Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and lead us to everlasting life.
A: Amen.
L: Go in the peace of Christ.
A: Thanks be to God.
Conclude with a hymn. For instance:
No comments:
Post a Comment