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Preparation
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
ruler and judge of all,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
In the darkness of this age that is passing away
may the light of your presence which the saints enjoy
surround our steps as we journey on.
May we reflect your glory this day
and so be made ready to see your face
in the heavenly city where night shall be no more.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
Luke 21.12-19
Jesus said to the disciples, ‘They will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.’
Reflection
In yesterday’s reading we heard Jesus say: Beware that you are not led astray. Today Jesus says to those who stand firm in the faith: they will arrest you and persecute you … because of my name. Jesus also says: make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.
As the current liturgical year draws to a close we will recall the journey we have been on since the last Advent Sunday. From John the Baptist’s call to: Prepare the way of the Lord we have travelled with Jesus from the moment of his birth until his death, resurrection and ascension. We have seen Jesus’ signs and miracles, and we have heard his words of teaching and challenge. We are now being asked to affirm our commitment to living the life of true faith … no matter what obstacles we might encounter as we pass our days in this world.
We all like to think that we are in control of our own destinies. This fantasy has gathered greater traction as human intellect has developed in the two thousand years since Jesus’ earthly ministry. The truth of the matter can be found in the ancient words of Psalm 139: O Lord, you have searched me and known me … you discern my thoughts from far away … and are acquainted with all my ways … Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely.The truth of God’s total knowledge and understanding of each and every one of us lies at the heart of Jesus’ words to us today.
Jesus calls us to let go of our self-obsessed need to be “in control”. Jesus reveals his understanding of the pitfalls and potential horrors of this life. Jesus calls us to demonstrate our faith and trust in him by letting go as we tumble into the maelstrom of human life, even to the point of trusting him to give us the words we need when the occasion demands.
Let us pray for the strength to be courageous in our faith. Let us pray that the words of the psalmist might be engraved upon our hearts and minds. Let us pray that the lessons of the last year might lead us into the days yet to come.
Prayers
In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.
Let us praise Christ our King, by whose cross we have citizenship in heaven, saying: all your saints praise you.
Lord, you built your Church on the foundation of the apostles:
all your saints praise you.
You witness to your truth in the lives of your saints:
all your saints praise you.
You made us to be a kingdom and priests serving our God:
all your saints praise you.
You have shared our burdens,
revealing the holiness of our life and work:
all your saints praise you.
You stir us to seek the mysteries of the kingdom:
all your saints praise you.
You lead us to the eternal assembly of the saints:
all your saints praise you.
God of holiness,
your glory is proclaimed in every age:
as we rejoice in the faith of your saints,
inspire us to follow their example
with boldness and joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Uniting our prayers with the whole company of heaven,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Christ our King make us faithful and strong to do his will,
that we may reign with him in glory;
and may the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.