Exploring the Sunday Gospel - Second Sunday before Advent
Today is the Second Sunday before Advent. In the reading from Luke’s Gospel, during his last days in Jerusalem before the crucifixion, Jesus warns his disciples against misreading the signs of the times, and believing that the end of the ages is close. According to Luke’s account Jesus says that many terrifying things will occur, like wars, earthquakes, famines, plagues, dreadful portents and great signs from heaven, but the end will not follow immediately. Before that his followers are to expect persecutions.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of bullying. In today’s picture from their book, Myself and others, Aled and Sian feel safe in their school against bullying on the grounds of religion, ethnicity, language, and appearance.
Lord Jesus Christ,
you warn your people against misreading the signs.
Give us grace to heed your warning,
to stay faithful to your promises,
and to proclaim your lasting presence with us;
for you are our God,
now and through eternity.
Amen.
Next week, the Feast of Christ the King, the reading from Luke’s Gospel draws on Luke’s distinctive account of the crucifixion endorsing Jesus’ forgiveness of those who crucified him. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is royal pardon. Find out more about next weeks theme here.
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