Presider’s Page for 20 December (Fourth Sunday of Advent)
Advent is drawing to a close; we have just a few days left to prepare for the birth of Christ. On this Sunday, we’re invited to follow Mary’s example and imitate her faith.
4th Sunday of Advent
We like to be the givers, the organizers, the achievers. To let others give to us is to acknowledge our need, our dependence, our limitations, and that does not always come easy…
Saturday in Week 3 of Advent
Luke has annunciation stories to both Zechariah and Mary, which are parallel in various ways. When startled at the angel’s appearance, both are told not to be afraid. Each is promised a child and given a hint of ths child’s future greatness…
Friday in the 3rd Week of Advent
God was doing something new, something extraordinary, in the life of Mary and of Joseph, indeed, in the life of the human race…
Thursday in the 3rd Week of Advent
There is an understandable interest in learning about our family tree; most people want to know their genetic background. “Who are the people who have helped to make me who I am?”
Wednesday in Week 3 of Advent
When we come to God in our brokenness, in our poverty, in our weakness and need, we will experience his presence as healing and life-giving and renewing. That is good news for the church, especially in these times…
Tuesday in the 2nd Week of Advent
The infant Christ recalls our basic humanity as created by God. He requires of his followers to give each person a chance to be truly who he or she is, respecting them as God’s image as truly as we ourselves are…
Monday in the 2nd Week of Advent
The officials who administered the Temple certainly had not given Jesus permission to drive out the merchants or disturb the business of the money changers and others who were making the temple a market-place…
Presider’s Page for 13 December (Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday)
We’re midway through the season of Advent. Traditionally, today is called Gaudete Sunday, which means ‘a day for rejoicing.’ The reason for celebration is that the day of the Lord’s coming is very near.
3rd Sunday in Advent
The Baptist was a voice crying in the wilderness, a voice to invite people into relationship with God. We too are asked to use our voice to make Christ known…
Saturday in the 2nd Week of Advent
John the Baptist was martyred, because “they did not recognize him, but treated him as they pleased.” This rejection of the Baptist would also become the experience of Jesus himself…
Friday in the 2nd Week of Advent
We are called dance to the music of Jesus, the music of his Spirit in our lives. If we tune in to the Lord’s rhythm and melody it can shape all that we say and do. That is our Advent calling in preparing for the birthday of Jesus…
Thursday in the 2nd Week of Advent
When Jesus praised Johnthe Baptist it was for the people’s profit, to revive their memory of John’s ministry, which was in danger of being forgotten.
Wednesday in the 2nd Week of Advent
Advent is a good season to come before the Lord in our weakness and our tiredness, asking him to give us new strength, so that we can be channels of his life-giving strength to others…
Presider’s Page for Tuesday 8 December (Immaculate Conception of the BVM)
This feast had its origin in the East as the “Conception of Mary by St Anne.” It spread through the West during the Middle Ages as the “Immaculate Conception” and was extended to the entire Western Church in the eighteenth century. The feast celebrates Mary, preserved from sin from the moment of conception; she is the first-fruits of her Son’s redemption and a prophetic model of what the Church is called to be.
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
On this feast day, Mary inspires us as the most favoured one, the mother of our Saviour, who enjoys the fullness of the grace of God…
Monday in the 2nd Week of Advent
They found a way through, by bringing their friend up onto the flat roof and letting him down through the tiles. Jesus was moved by their persistent faith. They model for us the community of faith…
Presider’s Page for 6 December (Second Sunday of Advent)
John the Baptist is the focus of the liturgy on the Second Sunday of Advent each year. His challenge to us to ‘prepare a way for the Lord’ is at the heart of the Advent message. We worship the one who will surely come to us.
2nd Sunday of Advent
Like a shepherd feeding his flock, gathering lambs in his arms, holding them to his breast, and gently leading the mother-ewes who are due to give birth…
Saturday in the First Week of Advent
We may be among the workers whom the Lord wants to send into his harvest to help those who are harassed and dejected. If so, then in sending us the Lord will also empower us for the work he is asking us to do.