Prayers of the People: With the End in Mind ~ 1st Sunday of Advent '21 Yr C

For Sunday, November 28, 2021, Readings: Jeremiah 33:14-16, Ps 25: 1-9, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, 

Luke 21-25-36

      In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. [Jeremiah 33:15]

       To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul…I put my trust in you…let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes…Show me your ways and teach me your paths. [Psalm 25:1a, 2b, 3]

       Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. [1 Thessalonians 3:11]

    …my words will not pass away. Be on guard that your hearts are not weighed down with…the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly like a trap. [Luke 21:33, 34]

Happy New Year! That is, a New Church Year.  The four-week liturgical season of Advent begins this Sunday in many denominations of Christianity. We also begin the 3rd year in a 3 year cycle of appointed readings from Scripture. These four weeks of Advent are a time of soulful preparation through self-reflection, repentance, and the expectant waiting for the Nativity, the birth, of Jesus. It is a time for us to start over, to unburden our hearts from the weight of worldly worries, and to renew our commitment to a regular pattern of prayer, worship, and sincere Christian action. It is time to remember to answer the call to increase and abound in love for one another, to restore our faith, and to be ready for that day that will come for us all. If we are not alert, that day may arrive unexpectedly, like a trap, and catch us unprepared. Too often we are caught up in the earthly distractions of the tinsel and trappings, the busy and the bustling of celebrating as if THAT DAY, the one in which we are each called on account, will never happen.

        In this season, the word advent is from the Latin adventus which means coming, and we will mark each week by the lighting of a candle in an Advent Wreath with a prayerful reflection before the Liturgy (the Mass or the Service) begins. Each candle represents a theme from the readings of that week. Some people will also use an Advent Calendar or wreath at home to mark each day of the week with a special prayer or meditation on the theme. Advent is the opportunity to be more intentional about preparing for the arrival of Jesus, our Savior.
        This week’s theme is Hope. In yet another year that the lives of millions and the planet itself have been upended and decimated across the world by pandemic, torrential rains, earthquakes, horrific fires, and the devastating violence wrought by humans, it does give pause and perhaps a sharp inhalation of breath and wonder about what could be next. The readings for this day may cause some fear and trepidation as if they hit “too close” to our own time. Some in every generation think “THIS IS IT” as they believe they can interpret the signs. The apocalyptic images in the Gospel are those with which the followers of Jesus would recognize from Zechariah and Daniel in the Hebrew/Old Testament and Jesus used them to make his point about being ready. It didn’t come to pass in that time, nor has it in the millennia since, obviously. And yet, we of faith believe that it most certainly will and as we do not know the day or the hour [Matthew 25:13], keeping ourselves prepared isn’t about fear, but rather it is about faith. Each of us will meet our Maker whether the Earth falls in our time or not. Christ will come again, and/or I will get there before he comes here ~ will I be ready either way? Never have we needed hope or self-preparation more than now.
        As in every liturgical season of the Church, each of our readings gives us insight and instruction to ponder and enlighten us for the week ahead. This week Jesus tells us that his words will never pass away no matter what else happens. Through prayer and attention to our call, we will be ready to stand before the Son of Man. Our Hope truly is in the name and substance of the Lord, and, in our willingness to turn the thoughts and actions of our lives toward the light of God's presence now and going forward. 
        It's definitely not easy to get and stay on the correct course, especially at this time of year with all the false glitter that obscures our inner vision and diverts us from our good intentions. But our path forward begins to clear when we are sincere in our desire to dedicate our lives to Christ, and made easier being actively involved in faith-filled communities, earnest in preparation for his return. Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.” We light this week’s candle of Hope to brighten the way ahead and to know that All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies [Psalm 25:9]. Hope is on first and we begin with the end in mind.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Gracious and Upright Lord, lift up our souls, our hearts, and our minds from the lowest valley of earthly worries to the highest vault of heavenly grandeur. Teach us the prayers, the patience, and the trust to stay alert, unafraid, and ready for our salvation through Christ.

                                                        Lord of Love and Faithfulness    

RESPONSE:                 Direct our way to You

~ Gracious and Upright Lord, bring gifts of truth, righteousness, and justice to those who govern across the breadth and depth of Your Creation, globally and locally, and let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of Love and Faithfulness

                                                       Direct our way to You

~ Gracious and Upright Lord, soothe and heal all who suffer with chronic illness and renew those who have lost all hope. Grant respite and refreshment to all caregivers as we now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

 
                                                       Lord of Love and Faithfulness
                                                       Direct our way to You

~ Gracious and Upright Lord, comfort the bereaved with a foretaste of the glory in everlasting Salvation where our loved ones live again and always. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

 
                                                       Lord of Love and Faithfulness
                                                       Direct our way to You

~ Gracious and Upright Lord, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

 
                                                       Lord of Love and Faithfulness
                                                       Direct our way to You            

~ Gracious and Upright Lord, quicken the energy and spirit of those anointed to deepen our faith, on our journey together, with strength of heart and love for all.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

 
                                                       Lord of Love and Faithfulness
                                                       Direct our way to You

The Celebrant adds:  Most Holy Jesus, as we enter this season of preparation and waiting, fill us with Your forever words, and keep us open to Your Presence now and in the promise of Your Coming. We ask through Jesus, the Son of Man; and the Holy Spirit, Seat of All Wisdom; who together with You are One God, now and forever.  Amen.

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