Anticipating the gift of Love Incarnate
Sunday 22nd December 2024On this fourth and final Sunday of Advent, we are invited to reflect on the theme of love.
In our readings today, the Prophet Micah turns our attention to the coming of the Lord – Divine Love itself made manifest in the Christ child.
Our readings continue to demonstrate the journey and power of this love in our world; following the life of Jesus to the very cross, describing an outpouring of love that fulfilled the laws of old in a new and conclusive way through Christ’s sacrifice for all.
But our readings also remind us that this gift of love must go hand in hand with service: “Here, I am – I am coming to do your will.” This love in action is also demonstrated by Our Lady herself as she responds to God’s call with her heartfelt “yes”, before setting out on a long journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth, whose own unborn child “leapt for joy” at the encounter of Love Incarnate, the unborn Jesus.
In this way, our readings today remind us of the real presence of God’s love in our world today, a gift we celebrate with the feast of Christmas, but also how we are called to reflect this through lives of obedience to God and service to one another.
This essence of love is also a theme rooted at the heart of the Year of Jubilee, as we are invited to renew our relationship with God by reflecting on his love for us through prayer and pilgrimage, and proclaiming that through concrete action to respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters around the world.
Jubilee and Outreach
Throughout the Year of Jubilee, we will be hearing from a number of charities to find out more about their work supporting people experiencing poverty, prejudice, discrimination, and injustice across our Diocese and around the world.
Our Diocesan charity Caritas Diocese of Salford and CAFOD have produced a helpful resource to help you learn more: https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/file/jubilee-2025/
Caritas Diocese of Salford
Over the coming months, we will be working closely with Caritas Diocese of Salford to learn more about its work supporting individuals and families across the Diocese. Keep updated with projects and campaigns throughout the year at https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/
CAFOD
CAFOD has produced a range of resources to help us learn more about the tradition of outreach in relation to the Jubilee and how this can support its work in communities around the world today. The charity has also commissioned the official Jubilee Icon for the Catholic Church in England and Wales, blessed by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, to celebrate the holy year. Find out more: https://cafod.org.uk/pray/jubilee-2025
Columban Missionaries
The Columban Missionaries have been allocated to our Diocese for the 2025 mission appeals. The annual Parish Mission Appeal offers the only official opportunity for a missionary to address a parish community to share work of that particular mission. During this year, representatives of the mission will be visiting parishes and schools across the Diocese to share more about its unique work.
Tagged | CAFOD | Caritas Salford | Catholic Church
