Weekly thoughts on the Sunday Gospel, readings or a topic...

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seeing your life through the lens of the gospels – Matthew 11:2-11
1. In response to the question of John, Jesus let his actions speak for him. Some people show by the way they live what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Who has given you such an example? Perhaps there have been times when you have done the same for others.
2. John made a journey of faith from an incomplete knowledge of Jesus to a deeper understanding of who he was. Recall similar steps in your journey of faith.
3. Faith is not primarily about answering abstract theological questions but about living the gospel. What in your life has helped you to get that sense of perspective?
4. John marked the end of an era, Jesus the beginning of a new one. In our lives how do we honour the past and yet be free to move on into a new era?  – John Byrne, OSA

The Deep End
The sights and sounds and smells of the season are all around us. Is there a particular sound that reminds you of Advent or Christmas – perhaps a carol you’ve always loved, or the sound of jingle bells? For many, the smell of mince pies or mulled wine are real signs of Christmas. Our towns and cities are filled with wonderful sights too: festive lights and decorations, trees decked out with tinsel and baubles, while our churches display Nativity scenes. Another common sight in the run-up to Christmas are the charity collectors we meet on the streets, singing carols or shaking buckets, urging us to give generously to a good cause. It is a feast for the senses, with these experiences often evoking warm Christmas memories and putting us in good humour. Today is known as Gaudete Sunday – Gaudete means ‘rejoice’. In our churches, the rose-coloured candle is lit on the Advent wreath to symbolise joy.
Today’s readings bring out this sense of joyful anticipation of the Lord’s coming. The people of Jesus’ time would have been familiar with Isaiah’s talk of ‘everlasting joy and gladness’. And Jesus tells us: ‘Happy is the man who does not lose faith in me’. It is this personal encounter with Jesus that we celebrate at Christmas, God becoming man, the Good News announced by John the Baptist in today’s Gospel. We have reason to be happy – let’s make this Gaudete Sunday a real celebration.  – Tríona Doherty

(from Intercom)