Today is the third Sunday in Advent, known as Gaudate Sunday, which means rejoice. It can sometimes be a challenge to find things to rejoice about, especially in the grey, damp and dark days of this time of the year. The children received a card from John the Baptist, who was in prison, not much to be joyful about, yet, Jesus disciples came and told him how Jesus had come to give sight to the blind ... he was told of the good news Yet we are reminded in the reading of the Good News that Jesus brings and in following our Baptismal calling some in our parish are trying to bring joy as well as practical help to those in need. The recent shoebox appeal and response to the call for resources for the Homeless shelter , responding to news that someone is unwell, or making a phone call to someone we've not spoken to for a while all offer other ways in which we can try to bring joy to others. In the coming week, what joy can we bring, or perhaps in sharing a sadness allow others to bring us joy.
Advent 3: Rejoice
Advent 3: Rejoice
God of light, you sent your Son into the world to guide us and show us how to live. Help us as we journey through advent to rejoice. Help us to bring joy to people who are sad. Amen
Bringing joy through practical action ...
Thanks to a member of the SVP who sent us this update of some of the things they do. For further information about the SVP.
We Christians know that we are to love our neighbours; and the parable of the Good Samaritan shows us that this covers a wide variety of people, in fact anyone we come across. But working with the SVP shows us what a wide variety of tasks it may cover, too.
Let me give an example: a team of four SVP members from the Cathedral parish take an old man who lives by himself and can barely walk, by car every week to visit his wife, who is very ill and in a nursing-home. There they are both given Communion; and later in the day he is brought home again. Then, another day , we do his weekly shopping. So in this team operation we combine some of the traditional 'corporal works of mercy' with help in transport and shopping, as well as with Eucharistic ministry. This, I have found is a moving example of the width of the Christian vocation, and of what can be done by a few people co-operating with each other.
Thanks to a member of the SVP who sent us this update of some of the things they do. For further information about the SVP.
We Christians know that we are to love our neighbours; and the parable of the Good Samaritan shows us that this covers a wide variety of people, in fact anyone we come across. But working with the SVP shows us what a wide variety of tasks it may cover, too.
Let me give an example: a team of four SVP members from the Cathedral parish take an old man who lives by himself and can barely walk, by car every week to visit his wife, who is very ill and in a nursing-home. There they are both given Communion; and later in the day he is brought home again. Then, another day , we do his weekly shopping. So in this team operation we combine some of the traditional 'corporal works of mercy' with help in transport and shopping, as well as with Eucharistic ministry. This, I have found is a moving example of the width of the Christian vocation, and of what can be done by a few people co-operating with each other.