4th Sunday before Advent
Collect
Hebrew 9: 11 – 14
Mark 12: 28 – 34
There are a number of sacrifices prescribed in the Old Testament; a burnt offering to express devotion or commitment to God. a grain offering in the form of a cake or baked bread, the peace offering, which consisted of any unblemished animal from the worshiper’s herd, a sin offering to atone for sin and cleanse from defilement and a trespass offering given as atonement for sins that required reimbursement to an offended party . Each of these sacrifices involved certain elements, either animal or sometimes fruit of the field, and had a specific purpose. They had to be made in accordance with strict rules laid down in the book of Leviticus – and these instructions were mostly fairly gruesome, involving (blameless) animals being slaughtered, with their blood being a fundamental part of the act.
Essentially, they allowed the donor to walk away from their past and start again – without themselves shedding blood. No doubt many were sincere, resolving to change their lives for the better – but I suspect that for others, this was a meaningless ritual which changed nothing.
Paul’s letter to the Church in Corinth makes it clear that these are but ‘a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.’ Jesus offers himself as a final, all-encompassing sacrifice. His innocent blood replaces the blood of the innocent animals. It is all we need, and we celebrate our freedom in our eucharistic celebration. But does it change us? – or do we merely perform the ritual as part of a tradition, without reflecting on its true meaning – that God the Creator of the Universe, loves us so much that He offers us the blood of His only Son that we might not perish, but have eternal life?
This week, there is so much needing our prayer that words are not enough. We need to take our issues of concern to a much deeper level. So, if you are able, find a quiet space and simply meditate on the words below, in the context of Christ’s atoning Sacrifice
Flooding in Spain and all countries suffering extreme climate disturbance
Escalating war and the pursuit of revenge throughout the Holy Land
Continuing conflict in Ukraine and Russia
Desperate people worldwide seeking refuge and safety for their families
The growth of political extremism
Domestic abuse and violence
That the Kingdom is only ever to be found in love of God and neighbour.
We pray the Lord’s prayer, and as the music plays, we may break bread together with the risen Christ and all His people – whoever and wherever in the world they are, we are one in Him who gave His life that we might live. He calls us to follow and to live our lives as His body, in the strength of the Holy Spirit.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’
Go in peace, to love and praise the Lord and all His creation, giving thanks for the blessings of tomorrow – and the day after, then the day after that, and all your days. In the name of Christ. Amen
Previous Posts
Praying Together March 29th 2026
These things are worth meditation and thought, as we enter this Holy Week – but the even more important question that we can only answer for ourselves, is embodied in twelve straightforward words written by Charles Wesley.
How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Praying Together 22 March 2026
“Lazarus, come out.” He calls Lazarus by name. Even death cannot triumph, and so it is with sin. There is no depth or distance to which human being can go that can prevent them from hearing that call. It is up to them to choose to accept or deny it.
Praying Together 15th March 2026
Simeon, though, didn’t just hear about the Messiah being incarnate in the child – he also knew that the child’s destiny would involve pain and suffering in order to fulfil His mission. And Mary knew too. The consolation of Israel – of the world – would cost her the life of her child.
Praying Together 8th March 2026
And in turn, we are challenged to become messengers ourselves, however unsuitable or ill-equipped we might feel.
Praying Together 22nd February 2026
If we are to appreciate the gentleness of a lamb, we need to know its opposite. If we are to understand what safety is, we need also to experience the possibility of danger.
Praying Together 15th February 2026
Perhaps, when we pray, we need to remember it is the Jesus on the Mountain to whom we address our prayers, the one whose face shines like the sun and transfigures our faces as we radiate in His light.
Praying Together February 8th 2026
Is Jesus suggesting, not to eat and drink? And is he saying we should not wear clothes but go naked?
How unrealistic is this, and how depressing – we need to eat and drink, and we need clothing.
Praying Together February 1st 2026
Christ’s words are given to all His people in the face of the difficulties we ourselves face in life. We claim them and are assured of Blessing. And that is all we need.
Praying Together January 25th 2026
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Praying Together 18th January 2026
In prayer, we ask: Who is God calling to come and use their specific individual gifts to continue to build His Kingdom in the future?
His reply is clear.
“You”, He says.
Praying Together 11 January 2026
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
Praying Together 21st December 2025
Joseph’s example is one of love, human reaction, vocation and ultimate obedience to his Creator. So we rightly celebrate both Mary and Joseph as the chosen parents of the Christ-child. But we must also remember that they were ordinary people with human emotions who lived extraordinary lives.