Fr Bernard writes…
1st Sunday of Advent November 29th 2020
Waiting is a fact of life and this week we have been waiting to find out what arrangements we can make to celebrate Christmas, and then into which Tier we would be placed by the Government. Both decisions will have divided opinion, but probably none of us would have wanted to be responsible for making them. There is waiting in the gospel story which has a sense of urgency about it. Jesus is speaking of the end time and how important it was for the disciples, and is for us, to be ready for it. The servants are to ‘stay awake’, to ‘be on their guard’, to fulfil the tasks assigned to them while the master is away. They are to be ready for his return at an hour they do not know. This call to readiness is given on the first Sunday of Advent, the beginning of a new liturgical year, reminding us of the twofold theme of Advent, preparing for the birth of Christ and his return at the end time, and indeed when we die. We know Christmas in some senses will not be the same this year, so this Advent might just be the opportunity to enter more deeply into the story of God’s love for each one of us shown, most fully, in the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus.
With lockdown ending this week the church will be steam cleaned on Thursday and open for the celebration of Mass on Saturday December 5th at 6.00pm. Booking essential, please see on line newsletter for details.
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