18 th December 2005
Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B
S: Good morning well we’re shoving close to Christmas. This Sunday is all about Mary and how she opened her heart to be the mother of Jesus.
B: Our word of life comes from Luke’s Gospel, where Mary said to the angel Gabriel "I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done". These are pretty strong words coming from a young girl who must have been really frightened and yet she opened her heart and put her trust in God.
S: You know we’re going to do something unusual this morning - Given that we’re in the final week to Christmas where we’re being asked to open our hearts to people and situations where doors have been shut - and so, we’re going to ask forgiveness from God and each other for various things.
B: We ask forgiveness for:
limiting our love to words.
being intolerant towards others.
being unkind in thought, word, or deed.
being envious or jealous of others.
being proud and arrogant.
being rude and discourteous towards others.
being selfish.
bearing a grudge and harbouring, ill-feelings towards others.
S: We ask forgiveness for:
failing to ask for forgiveness when we hurt someone.
failing to encourage and affirm others.
failing to return God’s love.
failing to appreciate and return the love of others.
failing to love ourselves with a wholesome love.
failing to take care of our environment.
failing to apologise when we were wrong.
For these and all our failings we are truly sorry.
B: You know there are some Reconciliation Services coming up in our Churches in the next few days - you might like to go - and if it has been a long time, you might be surprised to see how they’ve changed from the past. Failing that - if something has hit home to you that needs to be resolved - you might try to sort it out in your own time.
S: And so, onto our 4th and last Advent prayer...
Advent is a season of openness and hope.
it is a time of trusting
trusting in divine goodness,
and in the goodness of each other.
O God of hopeful surprises
open our hearts to you.
You have surrounded us with your love!
Help us respond to that love.
And may we remember, O God,
during this busy season,
that as we greet each other,
we are greeting you,
who are truly present in us all.
B: Before we go, we would just like to let you know that the live crib in Adare is taking place this afternoon from 2 until 5pm. So if you want to take the children to something really special for Christmas why not take them to the live crib in Adare this afternoon. The crib is based next to the Dunraven Arms Hotel, at the back of the Parochial house. There is no admission charge, however there will be collection in aid of the victims of the earthquake in Pakistan.
S: You’ve been listening to Just a thought with Seamus Madigan
B: and Brenda Cribbin. We can be contacted through the Limerick Diocesan Offices at 66 O’ Connell Street or by e-mailing smadigan@limerickdiocese.org. If you would like your own copy of this reflection you can download it by clicking on limerickdiocese.org
S: We look forward to your company again next week, so take care…..
S& B: Byeeeeee……
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