Sunday 14th December: Sung Mass & Sunday School
‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord”
There has been a lot of fuss recently around the government’s plans to build a series of new roads around the country. Huge stretches of motorways are going to be renewed or widened; new roads built; and even a tunnel constructed to take the roadway under Stonehenge. We are told having good clear roads, and straight open pathways for travel is a crucial part of a thriving society.
If open means of travel and communication are necessary for our wellbeing and flourishing in the secular world, then our gospel today hints that in a similar way, Christ needs open and clear pathways in order to make himself known.
If ever there was a time of the year when we feel most the need to clear away the rubbish, clutter, and obstacles in our path it must be Christmas, with all its hustle and bustle. John’s words urge us to examine ourselves afresh and consider what, amongst all the present buying and the commercial hysteria, is necessary and what is unnecessary, so we can clear the way for Christ. What hinders us from proclaiming his love and making new disciples of Christ? What, amongst all the decorations and tinsel, stops us being able to welcome him into our hearts? What crowds out our being able to receive the news of the angels again with joy? And what are the things that obscure his teaching and prevent the gospel from informing our life together as a society?
We will be thinking about all these things today at our 11am Sung Mass and Children’s Sunday School.