Sunday 15th December 2024 3rd Sunday of Advent (Luke 3.7-18)
I am struck reading this Gospel again how after John’s bursting onto the scene with such a strident message, the people ask him ‘What then should we do?’ This then begins a series of questions and instructions that all stem from the rootedness of the Gospel and human experience. Afterwards, the people are filled with expectation and continue to ask questions. This surely is the message of Advent, that wondrous mix of challenge, question, expectation, promise and hope.
How do you respond to John’s message. What are your feelings of expectation and what questions do you have about this message where you are?
Sunday 22nd December 2024 (4th Sunday of Advent) Luke 1.39-45 [46-55]
I love this story of Mary’s meeting with Elizabeth and how Mary set out (on her own) at haste to see her cousin. Not only is their joy shared but the child (John) that Elizabeth would bear also leapt in the womb! It is a joyful, noisy and quite wondrous image. This then leads to the words of the Magnificat that speak of the heart of the Gospel of a world re-ordered (or maybe correctly ordered) to prioritise the vulnerable and of the joy in being part of this manifesto for change.
Where and how do the words of the Magnificat fit in your life and in that of your worshipping community?