God’s favour was with him

 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph - Sunday in the Octave of Christmas
(27 December 2020)

Gospel Luke 2: 22, 38–40

And when the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.

Christ in the House of His Parents (‘The Carpenter’s Shop’) by John Everett Millais, in Tate Britain. You can read about this painting here.

Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

Even though Christmas was only two days ago, I may be able to get back to my ‘usual’ Sunday routine today – whatever that has become in recent times. So I settle down to pray. Perhaps I have a favourite object with me, a candle or some Christmas cards which are particularly dear to me.

When I feel relaxed and quiet, I read this short passage and let my imagination wander.

I see Joseph, Mary and Jesus, law-abiding Jews, intent on fulfilling the Law of Moses.

I reflect on my own attitude to the law of the land, the law of the Church. Do I follow it dutifully or do I exercise my own judgement?

What motivates me? The greater good, my personal needs or desires, a fear of being caught, or something else ...?

How do I feel towards those who find they cannot obey the law?

Perhaps I am drawn to reflect on the young child Jesus as he grows up, sustained by the love of his parents and of God.

Who are the people around me whom I can love and support, even in small ways, so they can feel it’s ‘Christmas every day’?

I ask the Lord to help me grow in wisdom, and thank him for being with me during this time of prayer.

Click here to read or listen to a one-minute homily on this Sunday's readings!

‘I am the handmaid of the Lord’

 Fourth Sunday of Advent Year B - 20th December 2020

Gospel Luke 1: 26–38

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid: you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you,’ the angel answered, ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary, ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.

Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

Amidst the busyness of these last few days before Christmas, I find some precious time in a comfortable place to spend with the Lord. I become still and slowly settle into prayer. I note how I am feeling. Is there anything in particular I am bringing with me into my prayer today..? Fears, joys, anxieties, consolations..?

I entrust any concerns to the Lord for now, so that I can focus my attention on this time with him. Maybe I sense the warmth of his loving gaze, and his delight in my desire to spend time with him.

In time, I read this familiar Gospel prayerfully, pausing wherever I feel drawn. Perhaps I place myself in the scene, noticing what Mary is doing in her house ... the expression on her face and eyes as she sees the angel.

Gabriel’s first word is ‘Rejoice’. I ponder those things that bring me joy, or the ways in which I am, or have been, a joy to others.

What comes to mind as I hear the words ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour’? I bring to the Lord any fears or doubts troubling me, or any grace I feel I need. I speak freely from my heart.

Maybe I hear Gabriel giving God’s message to me now. How would I like to respond?

I may choose to stay with Mary and speak with her about her inner strength and trust in God. Or perhaps I talk to Jesus, asking him for the grace of Mary’s courage and faith, so that I may respond even more deeply to his call.

With a deep sense of gratitude, I end my prayer with ‘Glory be ...’

Click here to read or listen to a one-minute homily on this Sunday's readings!

A voice that cries in the wilderness

 Third Sunday of Advent - Gaudete Sunday - Year B, 13th December 2020

Gospel John 1: 6–8.19–28

A man came, sent by God. His name was John. He came as a witness, as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him. He was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light.

This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’, he declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ.’ ‘Well then,’ they asked, ‘are you Elijah?’ ‘I am not’, he said. ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?’ So John said, ‘I am, as Isaiah prophesised: a voice that cries in the wilderness: Make a straight way for the Lord.’

Now these men had been sent by the Pharisees, and they put this further question to him. ‘Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah and not the prophet?’ John replied, ‘I baptise with water; but there stands among you – unknown to you – the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal strap’. This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.

Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

It may help me to prepare to pray by focusing my attention on some image that speaks to me of Advent: perhaps an Advent wreath or candle, or an Advent carol or some other music that speaks to me of watching ...

     of longing ... of waiting.

I take time to settle my mind and body in whichever way suits me best.

I gently notice the distractions of my thoughts, and with compassion place them before God.

I wait ... in silence ... and in stillness.Once I feel settled and prepared to pray with the Gospel, I read it slowly and prayerfully.

The text has two parts. The first paragraph is a short theological introduction; the rest is more descriptive. It may help my time of prayer to pause, and then focus on each part separately.

In the first part, what do I notice about the way the Evangelist introduces John the Baptist?

In the second part, I may like to use my imagination to put myself in the scene on the banks of the river Jordan. What do I notice about John, and about the devout Jewish leaders who come to question him?

What seems to be their intention towards him, and what is John’s intention towards them?

What is John trying to teach them..? and what might this scripture be teaching me about Christ?

I share with the Lord whatever is in my heart, as with a dear and trusted friend. I close my prayer with a slow sign of the cross.

Click here to read or listen to a one-minute homily on this Sunday's readings!

The beginning of the Good News

 Second Sunday of Advent Year B - 6th December 2020

Gospel Mark 1: 1–11

The beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah:

Look, I am going to send my messenger before you;

he will prepare your way.

A voice cries in the wilderness:

Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.

And so it was that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

All Judea and all the people of Jerusalem made their way to him,

and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan, they confessed their sins. John wore a garment of camel-skin, and he lived on locusts and wild honey. In the course of his preaching he said, ‘Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.’

Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

I enter into prayer slowly, humbly aware that God desires my company right now. I ask that his living Spirit might pray in me, with me, through me.

I read the text with a receptive mind and spirit.

What do I notice ...? What draws my attention ...?

Maybe I sense Jesus’s presence beside me. I ask how scripture spoke to him as he grew in understanding of his calling, perhaps experiencing confusion and uncertainty himself.

I allow Jesus to share his very self, and speak intimately to my inner being. In this time of Advent, perhaps I, too, am drawn to make my way into a ‘wilderness’ to prepare to receive the Lord ...

I beg for God’s help to create a time of quiet preparation to receive the Holy Spirit anew ... asking the Lord to bring to my attention any fears, hurts, or the need for a changed heart. Whatever arises, I take care not to judge harshly, but allow God’s infinite, healing mercy to wash over and through me.

I share with my loving Lord whatever has arisen. I acknowledge and give thanks for my own worth in God’s eyes ... aware that I am his beloved child.

I ask for the grace I need to be a messenger of the Good News in my life.

Glory be ...