First Sunday of Advent
Gospel – Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.
‘Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth. Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.’
The word 'advent' comes from the Latin 'adventus' meaning 'coming' or 'arrival'.
The focus of this first Sunday of Advent is on Jesus' second coming in Glory rather than on his first coming among us in humility.
Are we prepared for the great day of His second coming?
Are we awake and ready for Him?
Lord as we reflect on the humility of Your first coming also help us to look with hope confidence and expectation towards Your second coming in glory, power and triumph.
In the meantime we pray that You would come into our hearts here and now.
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
We begin in Advent, a season of listening, reflected in the most perfect example of Our Blessed Mother, Mary. Listening was central to the Annunciation. God speaks to Mary; she loves God and she listens to him with an open heart and a willingness to participate in His plan. Later, at the Visitation, Mary cares for and listens to her cousin, Elizabeth. Our Lady shows us what it means to be fully attentive to God and to neighbour.
Picture
A picture of Blessed Mothers Immaculate Heart, it appears bruised and a ring of thorns are piercing her Heart, each thorn disappears and becomes a flower of great beauty and scent.
“My dear children, every blow that my Son Jesus received I felt in my Immaculate Heart, but by far the hardest bruise or thorn is the loss of a soul.
My Son Jesus bore all for love of His people, offering Himself continually to free souls from the slavery of sin.
My little ones when you pray in the love of the Father from your heart, Jesus offers Himself once again for lost souls enabling the Holy Spirit to apply graces and in so doing loosens the grasp of my adversary. The Holy Spirit speaks into the heart of the soul and causes deep groaning within and so the souls heart opens to change. Then with the aid of our continual prayers that soul turns to the light and LOVE of God, if they are left unaided with prayer they may fail to take the opportunity that has been gifted to them.
Pray in love for them for God the Father is Love, pray In humility for them allowing the Holy Spirit work in them.
Pray for Mercy from my Son and you will see miracles in poor souls and in your family, friends, and those hardened even at the end of their earthly life. Then my own poor Heart will be elated with Maternal Love and all bruises and thorns will be turned into flowers of great thanksgiving and the heavenly scent will pervade all that you do in my Son Jesus’ Name and will rise up like incense to the Father in Heaven which is so pleasing to Him.
Mary"
Intercessions
O Lord hear our prayers, when we call answer us..
As we await with longing the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, dear brothers and sisters, let us with renewed devotion beseech his mercy, that, as he came into the world to bring the good news to the poor and heal the contrite of heart, so in our own time, also, he may bring salvation to all in need.
That Christ may visit his holy Church and keep watch over her always, let us pray to the Lord.
R. Lord, have mercy.
That under the protection of Christ our times may be peaceful, let us pray to the Lord.
R. Lord, have mercy.
That Christ may banish disease, drive out hunger, and ward off every affliction, let us pray to the Lord.
R. Lord, have mercy.
That Christ may find us watching when he comes, let us pray to the Lord.
R. Lord, have mercy.
Pray for souls in most need of God's Mercy.
Pray for Lana who is in great need.
John who had treatment for a brain tumour has taken ill again please pray for his healing.
Pray for Felicia who is in great need of a job and also Jane who has to make a big decision.
Continue prayers for Ann's health and treatment.
Pray for my Godson David for inner healing and peace.
Pray for Anthony and Peter that they may find work and a settled life.
Pray for prisoners and their families, for prison staff and visitors and for victims of crime.
Pray for all those with evil intentions that they be given grace to resist and turn away from evil.
Pray for all parents especially those who are struggling to cope with young children.
Pray that the commitments made in the COP26 Climate talks will bear fruit.
Pray for all who suffer as a result of war, violence, oppression, persecution and natural disaster throughout the World.
Pray for the protection and strengthening of our Priests.
Pray for the salvation of all people.
Continue to pray for an end to the pandemic.
Pray for our Government, the health services, local authorities and volunteers as they deal with the Corona Virus.
Pray that vaccines will be readily available to all throughout the World and that wealthy nations will assist the poorer nations.
Pray for peace and justice throughout the World.
Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church and the World.
Pray for the personal needs of all of Theotokos Prayer Group.
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