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.
First Reading: Malachi 4:1-2a
See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
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 book of Malachi was probably describing the times after the return of the exiles to Jerusalem around 425 BC. Although the exiles have returned and the Temple has been rebuilt, the Israelites are no longer living as the people of God. They are reminded of what God asks of them and the Israelites, objecting to the implied criticism, respond by asking why God does not intervene more if he is Almighty and Lord of all. Throughout the book of Malachi, the Israelites are called to remember the Law and the Prophets as pointers to the future, when God will send a new messenger and future hope will be realised. Our text gives hope and reassurance that, despite suffering and injustice, God’s goodness will prevail. Malachi: Duccio
Psalm 98
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things.
His own right hand and his holy arm have won for him the victory.
The Lord has made known his salvation; his deliverance has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness towards the house of Israel, and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Sound praises to the Lord, all the earth; break into singing and make music.
Make music to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the voice of melody.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn sound praises before the Lord, the King.
Let the sea thunder and all that fills it, the world and all that dwell upon it.
Let the rivers clap their hands and let the hills ring out together before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
In righteousness shall he judge the world and the peoples with equity.
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3 v 6 - 13
Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labour we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.
The Second Temple that was destroyed in A.D. 70
Gospel Reading: Luke 21:5 – 19
When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, ‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.’ They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’ And Jesus said, ‘Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and, “The time is near!” Do not go after them.
When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.’
The fall of Jerusalem was catastrophic. The historian Josephus tells us that so many were killed that their blood flowed through the streets and extinguished the fires. The Gospel of Luke was written a decade or so after these events and intended for a community of Christians who had lived through these terrible events. They are urged not to lose hope but to trust in Jesus. Trials in life are an opportunity to know his presence and he promises to equip us to speak and respond when such occasions arise. Whatever may be the challenges 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.
We pray for those who have departed this life and are now in the fullness of God's presence, thinking of ............................................... We pray too for all bereaved people who are adjusting to the loss of a loved one.
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. Amen
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 four years ago, we may recognise anew our need for you, and live to thank you for answering our prayers.
Amen