Second Sunday of Advent - Faith
Prepare the way of the Lord
Mark 1 v 1-8
1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Advent comes from the Latin word 'adventus' which means to 'arrive', 'appear' or 'make an entrance'. Christians use this word to refer to the liturgical season in which we prepare to celebrate Christmas, and also our preparation for Christ's glorious return at His second coming.
In this second Sunday of Advent we have placed before us the figure of St John the Baptist, he calls for a renewal through repentance for the forgiveness of our sins:
Let us then turn away from our sins, repenting for them and asking God’s forgiveness so we can return to Our Lord with cleansed and open hearts to be ready for the celebration of His first coming and standing prepared for his second coming all the while being open to His presence here and now within and among us.
How will you use these remaining weeks of advent to prepare the way for the Lord in your own heart?
What is the Lord asking you to get ready for?
What do you need to repent of?
Picture
A picture of Our Blessed Mother opening a door.
“ My children open your hearts to Jesus my Son, do not ignore Him like the inn keepers who said they had no room for The King of Peace to be born. Your heart is a chamber of love in which my Son wishes to be born within. I stand before you and ask you to say yes to My Son, if you say yes to Him then just as the first shepherds visited our lowly abode and were filled with wonder and awe so shall your heart receive the wonder and awe of the Little King, other souls will recognise this grace within your hearts and so be drawn to my Son.
The Love of Jesus will make all hearts rise and sing, so make ready to receive and adore Him whom is all Truth and Light and whom is the Way and the Pattern for your life on Earth, bring your hearts as gifts before Him and He will not disappoint as He will deposit His Mighty Love within you. Your King knocks will you open up and receive Him? My little ones I intercede at all times for each of you.”
Mary
O Antiphons (continued)
O Radix Jesse: O Flower of Jesse's stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.
Isaiah had prophesied, But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. (Isaiah 11:1), and A On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:10). Remember also that Jesse was the father of King David, and Micah had prophesied that the Messiah would be of the house and lineage of David and be born in Davids city, Bethlehem (Micah 5:1).
O Clavis David: O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of Heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.
Isaiah had prophesied, AI will place the Key of the House of David on His shoulder; when he opens, no one will shut, when he shuts, no one will open. (Isaiah 22:22), and His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David's throne, and over His kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. (Isaiah 9:6).
Intercessions
Pray for betty McGurk who is in hospital for investigations
Pray for Yvonne Noone who has asked for prayers for an ongoing problem with her eyes which are very painful at the moment, she cannot got to Hospital to see anyone because of Covid, also she is feeling rundown and not eating very well, so ask God to free her and heal all areas of her life.
Pray for Pete awaiting a colonoscopy; pray for a quick diagnosis and healing.
Pray for Steve suffering after effects of Covid.
We were praying for Paul Nugent, he died peacefully with his family around him, May he Rest in Peace.
Please pray for his wife Christine who is recovering from Covid.
Pray for Chantelle suffering with depression.
Pray for Dave who has been diagnosed with colon and liver cancer.
Pray for Peter Henri's younger brother Paul who is in hospital with Covid
Pray for Dr. Maria, who is receiving 4 hourly Nebulisers from the Covid she had back in April, that God will heal her completely.
Pray for Pat who has not only cancer but now found out that her terrible back pain is a disk that’s resting on another disc, and they won’t operate.
Pray for Ann who has mental health problems and is a lapsed Catholic. May Our Blessed Mother pray for graces of conversion for her and improvement in health.
Pray for the repose of Peter's soul and comfort for his mother Marie.
Pray for Marie Bedingfield.
Pray for Sarah and Dan for help in making a decision.
Pray for Anthony who is going through a difficult time. May he find healing and peace.
Please pray for healing for David who has had a breakdown.
Pray for our Government, local authorities and the health services as they try to deal with the new upsurge in the Corona Virus. Pray for a speedy end to the Coronavirus pandemic throughout the world, and for all those who have contracted the virus and for those who have died. Pray for a vaccine.
Pray for Ann Conroy and Jim Noone who died recently and pray for their families.
Pray for John and Kathleen Morgan. John is recovering from an operation on his face for skin cancer and Kathleen is having difficulty walking because of severe arthritis. They are both in their 80s.
Pray for healing for Dave with long term walking difficulties.
Pray for Annabelle who has bi-polar. Thankfully her medication is now keeping things under control.
Pray for the crisis in Yemen, years of war are being compounded by the effects of coronavirus and food and clean water is scarce and medical resources are minimal.
Continue to pray for healing for John who is doing well and starting further chemotherapy treatment for his brain tumour.
Continue to pray for Eileen who was undergoing chemotherapy for bowel cancer.
Pray for Zoe diagnosed with breast cancer.
Pray for our priests and our parishes.
Pray for the intentions of all members of Theotokos.
Pray for lost souls.
Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church and the World.
Resources
8. Celebrate Conference Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/Celebratecommunity/ Please let me know if you have anything to share (prayers, readings, pictures , prophecies, inspirations) or any intercessions.
Also please let me have any news on those we are praying for so I can keep the intercession list up to date.
You can also get in touch just to say hello!
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