Advent Reflection
| First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11 Second Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-14 Gospel: Mark 1:1-8 Song: Prepare Ye the Way TURN OVER A NEW LEAF THIS ADVENT Advent gives us a time for renewal, a time to readjust our attitudes, a chance to reflect on where God is in our lives. In this Sunday’s Gospel we meet John the Baptist whose mission it was to prepare the way for the Lord. During advent we have time to share in John the Baptist’s mission by preparing the way for the Lord taking time out of our busy lives and spending a quiet moment in prayer. John encourages people to turn over a new leaf and take time during Advent to turn away from sin and turn towards God. When we examine our lives and find that we are capable of sinning, we are then called to change our ways. Jesus called several people to change. He invited tax collectors, prostitutes, Pharisees, and more to repent, to receive the Good News, and to be faithful. Jesus was constantly turning the other cheek and giving people countless chances to follow him. Jesus was very persistent, probably because he knew that some people do lots of turning before they find themselves following Christ. MAKE ME READY LORD Litany of Readiness Leader: When Jesus comes again, All: Make me ready Lord Leader: When my family challenges me. All: make me ready Lord. Leader: When my friends need me All: Make me ready Lord. Leader: When I am stressed at school All: Make me ready Lord Leader: When I make tough decisions, All: Make me ready Lord Leader: When my faith is weak, All: Make me ready Lord Leader: When the parish asks me to use my gifts All: make me ready lord Leader: When God calls me, All: Make me ready Lord Turn a New Leaf • Think about the past week. What were some of the situations you encountered in which you had to choose between doing right or wrong? • Recall two or three situations when you were faced with a choice between doing the right thing and doing something that could be hurtful to you or to another person. • Turn towards God with your worries and concerns. TURN TURN TURN Leader: Help our love to be genuine All: We turn to you O God Leader: Help us to hold fast to what is good All we turn to you O God Leader: Help us to love one another All: We turn to you O God Leader: Help us to grow in understanding of the Gospel All: We turn to you O God Leader: Help us to be hopeful All: We turn to you O God Leader: Help us to be patient All We turn to you O God Leader: Help us to be generous and welcoming All: We turn to you O God. Closing Prayer During this week of Advent help us to continue the mission of John the Baptist preparing the way for the Lord. Let us continue our call to turn over a new leaf a make more room for God in our lives we ask this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen |
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Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDP’s) are community based projects which seek to divert young people from becoming involved (or further involved) in anti-social and / or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development and promote civic responsibility. They are part funded by the European Social Fund 2007 – 2013 and the Irish Youth Justice Service and are supported by the Irish Youth Justice Service in conjunction with An Garda Síochána. Central to the work with young people there are a number of overarching principles: |
