THE SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE ADVENT
You will show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy.
Christ is our corner-stone,
on him alone we build;
with his true saints alone
the courts of heaven are filled;
on his great love our hopes we place
of present grace and joys above.
O! Then with hymns of praise
these hallowed courts shall ring;
our voices we will raise
the three in one to sing;
and thus proclaim in joyful song,
both loud and long, that glorious name.
Here, gracious god, do thou
for evermore draw nigh;
accept each faithful vow,
and mark each suppliant sigh;
in copious shower on all who pray
each holy day thy blessings pour.
Here may we gain from heaven
the grace which we implore:
and may that grace, once given,
be with us evermore;
until that day, when all the blest
to endless rest are called away.
The collect for the Second Sunday before Advent.
Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son was revealed to destroy the works of the devil and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life: grant that we, having this hope, may purify ourselves even as he is pure; that when he shall appear in power and great glory we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Reading from Daniel 12.1–3
One in human form said to me, ‘At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.’
Today’s readings are set against the backdrop of a precariously unstable world but give encouragement to look ahead to the joy of a more peaceful time. The story of Daniel takes place just after Babylon's first attack on Jerusalem. The Babylonians had invaded the city, plundered the Temple and the people were being mercilessly taken into exile. It must have been a grim time and one, sadly, with which many around the world today will identify. Our text gives hope and reassurance that, despite the pain and suffering, despite the anguish and the feelings of utter devastation, God’s goodness will prevail.
Michael the Archangel (Cairo 18th Century)
Psalm 16
Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you; I have said to the Lord, "You are my Lord,
my good above all other."
All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, upon those who are noble among the people.
But those who run after other gods shall have their troubles multiplied.
Their libations of blood I will not offer, nor take the names of their gods upon my lips.
O Lord, you are my portion and my cup; it is you who uphold my lot.
My boundaries enclose a pleasant land; indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; my heart teaches me, night after night.
I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand I shall not fall.
My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; my body also shall rest in hope.
For you will not abandon me to the grave, nor let your holy one see the Pit.
You will show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy,
and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
Second Reading: Hebrews 10.11–14, 19–25
Every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, ‘he sat down at the right hand of God’, and since then has been waiting ‘until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet.’ For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
The writer refers to the way in which the priest in the Temple had to pass through the curtain in the holiest part of the building to reach the restricted area of the sanctuary where he would offer sacrifices on behalf of the people. With the coming of Christ, a single sacrifice was made for everyone and all for ever. No longer were there restrictions to the Love of God. Life may bring its trials and tribulations but we are urged to trust in his faithfulness and to seek encouragement from one another. We may not always share the same viewpoints as our neighbours but we can look for common ground and share companionship as we seek to live together in Christ.
The Second Temple that was destroyed in A.D. 70
Gospel Reading: St. Mark 13.1–8
As Jesus came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!’ Then Jesus asked him, ‘Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?’ Then Jesus began to say to them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.’
Mark was writing at a time when there was great tension between Rome and the Jewish people. In A.D. 70 the Temple was destroyed by a Roman army and thousands of Jews were killed.
Whatever may be the apocalypse we face, we are urged to persevere, working with God to live in the way which Jesus showed and to be Christ’s living presence in the world. How hard this must be for those currently caught up in the conflict in the Middle East and in Ukraine!
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the hope and reassurance that you offer us when the world seems precarious and violence fills the headlines. We ask you to open our eyes to the ways in which we can give encouragement to our community and to renew our vision of what it is to be your church as Advent approaches.
We pray for all living in wartorn countries that they may never lose hope of a return to a peaceful way of life, free of political pressure and coercion.
We pray for those struggling with life changing health issues that they may find peace in knowing that they are loved and cared for.
We pray for the Church of England at this difficult time and for all those up and down the land who faithfully witness to the presence and Love of Christ in their local communities.
Loving Father, we ask you to surround those in poor health with your love and reassurance, thinking of .. ...............May they know.your compassionate presence and find in it a source of renewed strength. A special prayer for ............................ as she begins her recovery.
We pray for the repose of the soul of those who have recently departed this life and for all missing loved ones at this poignant time of year. We pray especially for those who mourn .....................
Eternal God, in whose perfect realm no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness,
and no strength known but the strength of love:
so guide and inspire the work of those who seek your kingdom
that all your people may find their security in that love which casts out fear
and in the fellowship revealed to us
in Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Prayer from Archbishop Hosam Naoum of Jerusalem
O God of all justice and peace we cry out to you in the midst of pain and trauma of violence and fear which prevails in the Holy Land.
Be with those who need you in these days of suffering; we pray for people of all faiths – Jews, Muslims and Christians and for all the people of the land.
While we pray to you, O Lord, for an end to violence and the establishment of peace, we also call for you to bring justice and equity to the peoples.
Guide us into your kingdom where all people are treated with dignity and honour as your children, for to all of us you are our Heavenly Father. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
A PRAYER FOR UKRAINE
Lord, you promise us a future in which the weapons of war will be transformed into instruments of peace.
Today is not such a day, as missiles rain down on Ukraine and innocent people take refuge underground..
You taught us to pray your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven,
and so we pray that you will restrain the aggressor, grant courage and wisdom to the resistance, and bring peace to this part of your world.
Look with mercy on the peoples of Ukraine and Russia, and grant our leaders wisdom and courage to seek a resolution that will allow truth and freedom to return to these lands.
Grant Lord, that through this conflict that we would have unimaginable two years ago, we may recognise anew our need for you, and live to thank you for answering our prayers.
Amen