Our Mass again today is a very important part of our preparation for a holy Christmas; for a deeper relationship with our God. God like a shepherd, we are reminded, brought his people home from exile in Babylon to Jerusalem. God forgave them and paved the way to peace and life. Our saving God has come even nearer to us and for us in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus the long awaited saviour of the world. Mark in the very first Gospel described Jesus in terms of a new world; a new creation. As the book of Genesis told of the beginnings of the world, Marks Gospel opens with the beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, the son of God. John the Baptist was the prophet who prepared Jesus way by preaching a change of heart, by his cleansing ceremony in the Jordan River, and his promise that the Messiah would immerse them, baptise them, into the holy spirit of God. Grateful for Christs spirit in our lives we have Christian hope for our world and for everyone to know Christs fullness. The Australian Bishops today ask us to pray for peace and justice for the persecuted Christians in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Kurdistan as two of them travel there this week to show support and extend assistance. St. Peters words call us to fidelity, living truly holy lives while we wait for the day of God to come. Todays communion prayer in the spirit of Advent is for us to judge wisely the things of earth and hold firm to the things of heaven.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 23:22:46 +0000