‘John said to the crowds … Prepare the way of the Lord’ (see Lue 3: 7, 4) … Saint John the Baptist depicted in a stained-glass window in the chapel of Saint John’s Hospital, Lichfield (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)
Patrick Comerford
During the Season of Advent this year, I am joining many people in reading a chapter from Saint Luke’s Gospel each morning. In all, there are 24 chapters in Saint Luke’s Gospel, so this means being able to read through the full Gospel, reaching the last chapter on Christmas Eve [24 December 2019].
Why not join me as I read through Saint Luke’s Gospel each morning this Advent?
Luke 3 (NRSVA):
1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God”.’
7 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’
10 And the crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’ 11 In reply he said to them, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’ 12 Even tax-collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ 13 He said to them, ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’ 14 Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.’
15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’
18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. 19 But Herod the ruler, who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, 20 added to them all by shutting up John in prison.
21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’
23 Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his work. He was the son (as was thought) of Joseph son of Heli, 24 son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of Joseph, 25 son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai, 26 son of Maath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech, son of Joda, 27 son of Joanan, son of Rhesa, son of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, son of Neri, 28 son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son of Er, 29 son of Joshua, son of Eliezer, son of Jorim, son of Matthat, son of Levi, 30 son of Simeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of Eliakim, 31 son of Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David, 32 son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Sala, son of Nahshon, 33 son of Amminadab, son of Admin, son of Arni, son of Hezron, son of Perez, son of Judah, 34 son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor, 35 son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of Shelah, 36 son of Cainan, son of Arphaxad, son of Shem, son of Noah, son of Lamech, 37 son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahalaleel, son of Cainan, 38 son of Enos, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.
A prayer for today:
A prayer today (International Day for persons with disabilities) from the Prayer Diary of the Anglican mission agency USPG, United Society Partners in the Gospel:
Let us pray in solidarity with people living with disabilities that we may work together for fullness of life for all people.
Tomorrow: Luke 4.
Yesterday: Luke 2.
‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight’ (Luke 3: 4) … a walk along the twists and turns of Cross in Hand Lane, Lichfield (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org
03 December 2019
Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin
notes in ‘Newslink’ December 2019
Bishop Andrew Doyle of Texas and Canon Patrick Comerford during the visit of the Compass Rose Society to these dioceses
Rathkeale & Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes
Rathkeale, Askeaton, Castletown and Kilnaughtin
Priest-in-Charge: Revd Canon Patrick Comerford,
The Rectory, Askeaton, Co Limerick.
The autumn celebrations of Harvest and the November commemorations of the saints and the dead have come and gone. We are entering Advent and preparing for the coming of Christ, not only as the Christ Child at Christmas but once again as the King of Glory.
Ministry, Mission and Hospitality:
The Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe, the Right Revd Kenneth Kearon, is visiting this group of parishes on Advent Sunday, 1 December 2019.
November was a busy month, with the Bishop of Clogher, the Right Revd John McDowell, visiting the parishes in Co Limerick, including the Rathkeale Group of Parishes and the Rathkeale Pre-Social Cohesion Group. Canon Patrick Comerford took part in the visit of members of the Compass Road Society to these dioceses, and events hosted by Askeaton Civic Trust and Askeaton Contemporary Arts.
The next training day for clergy and readers takes place at Saint Mary’s Rectory in Askeaton, Co Limerick, on Tuesday 3 December, with a workshop on ‘preparing for Christmas.’
A minute’s silence at the Remembrance Sunday service in Rathkeale
‘We will remember them’:
Colonel Edward Buckingham laid the wreath at the World War I memorial in Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale, during the Remembrance Sunday Service on 10 November.
The service included a minute’s silence, reading the names of parishioners on the World War I memorial on the south wall and on the World War II plaque at the credence table. The Sunday School children made poppies, and laid a wreath at the altar.
The Sunday School children made poppies for the Remembrance Sunday service in Rathkeale
Camino walk:
Simon White is completing the Camino, walking 20 or 30 km a day on the route to Santiago de Compostela, and raising funds for the Simon Community, Médecins Sans Frontières and the RNLI.
Sympathy:
The parish extends its sympathy to Pat Ruttle of Clonreask, Askeaton, on the recent death of her brother-in-law, John ‘Van’ Bevan.
December, Christmas and January Services:
Sunday 1 December (Advent 1): 9.30 a.m., Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, Holy Communion (with Bishop Kenneth Kearon); 11.30, Saint Brendan’s Church, Kilnaughtin (Tarbert), Morning Prayer (with Bishop Kenneth Kearon).
Sunday 8 December (Advent 2): 9.30 a.m., Castletown Church, Kilcornan, Holy Communion; 11.30, Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale, Morning Prayer.
Sunday 15 December (Advent 3): No morning service in Askeaton; 11.30, Kilnaughtin, Holy Communion; 3 p.m., Carol Service in Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, followed by refreshments in the Rectory.
Wednesday 18 December: 12 noon: end-of-term School Play and Carol Service, Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale.
Sunday 22 December (Advent 4): 11 a.m., United Service (Holy Communion), Castletown.
Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24 December: 7.30 p.m., Kilnaughtin (Christmas Communion); 9.30 p.m., Castletown (Christmas Communion).
Christmas Day, Wednesday 25 December: 9.30 Askeaton (Christmas Communion); 11, Rathkeale (Christmas Communion).
Sunday 29 December (Christmas 1): 11 a.m., United Parish Communion, Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale.
Sunday 5 January 2020 (Christmas 2): 9.30 a.m., Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, Holy Communion; 11.30, Saint Brendan’s Church, Kilnaughtin (Tarbert), Holy Communion.
Monday 6 January 2020 (The Epiphany): 11 a.m., Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, the Epiphany Eucharist, followed by tea/coffee at the Rectory.
Sunday 12 January (Epiphany 1): 9.30 a.m., Castletown Church, Holy Communion; 11.30 a.m., Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale, Morning Prayer.
Sunday 19 January (Epiphany 2): 9.30 a.m., Askeaton, Morning Prayer; 11.30 a.m., Kilnaughtin, Holy Communion.
Sunday 26 January (Epiphany 3): 9.30 a.m., Castletown, Morning Prayer; 11.30 a.m., Holy Communion, Rathkeale.
Council Kevin Sheehan with Canon Patrick Comerford at the Askeaton Civic Society celebrations
This is an edited version of the Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes parish notes in the December 2019 edition of ‘Newslink,’ the magazine of the Dioceses of Limerick and Killaloe, pp 34-35
Rathkeale & Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes
Rathkeale, Askeaton, Castletown and Kilnaughtin
Priest-in-Charge: Revd Canon Patrick Comerford,
The Rectory, Askeaton, Co Limerick.
The autumn celebrations of Harvest and the November commemorations of the saints and the dead have come and gone. We are entering Advent and preparing for the coming of Christ, not only as the Christ Child at Christmas but once again as the King of Glory.
Ministry, Mission and Hospitality:
The Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe, the Right Revd Kenneth Kearon, is visiting this group of parishes on Advent Sunday, 1 December 2019.
November was a busy month, with the Bishop of Clogher, the Right Revd John McDowell, visiting the parishes in Co Limerick, including the Rathkeale Group of Parishes and the Rathkeale Pre-Social Cohesion Group. Canon Patrick Comerford took part in the visit of members of the Compass Road Society to these dioceses, and events hosted by Askeaton Civic Trust and Askeaton Contemporary Arts.
The next training day for clergy and readers takes place at Saint Mary’s Rectory in Askeaton, Co Limerick, on Tuesday 3 December, with a workshop on ‘preparing for Christmas.’
A minute’s silence at the Remembrance Sunday service in Rathkeale
‘We will remember them’:
Colonel Edward Buckingham laid the wreath at the World War I memorial in Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale, during the Remembrance Sunday Service on 10 November.
The service included a minute’s silence, reading the names of parishioners on the World War I memorial on the south wall and on the World War II plaque at the credence table. The Sunday School children made poppies, and laid a wreath at the altar.
The Sunday School children made poppies for the Remembrance Sunday service in Rathkeale
Camino walk:
Simon White is completing the Camino, walking 20 or 30 km a day on the route to Santiago de Compostela, and raising funds for the Simon Community, Médecins Sans Frontières and the RNLI.
Sympathy:
The parish extends its sympathy to Pat Ruttle of Clonreask, Askeaton, on the recent death of her brother-in-law, John ‘Van’ Bevan.
December, Christmas and January Services:
Sunday 1 December (Advent 1): 9.30 a.m., Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, Holy Communion (with Bishop Kenneth Kearon); 11.30, Saint Brendan’s Church, Kilnaughtin (Tarbert), Morning Prayer (with Bishop Kenneth Kearon).
Sunday 8 December (Advent 2): 9.30 a.m., Castletown Church, Kilcornan, Holy Communion; 11.30, Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale, Morning Prayer.
Sunday 15 December (Advent 3): No morning service in Askeaton; 11.30, Kilnaughtin, Holy Communion; 3 p.m., Carol Service in Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, followed by refreshments in the Rectory.
Wednesday 18 December: 12 noon: end-of-term School Play and Carol Service, Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale.
Sunday 22 December (Advent 4): 11 a.m., United Service (Holy Communion), Castletown.
Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24 December: 7.30 p.m., Kilnaughtin (Christmas Communion); 9.30 p.m., Castletown (Christmas Communion).
Christmas Day, Wednesday 25 December: 9.30 Askeaton (Christmas Communion); 11, Rathkeale (Christmas Communion).
Sunday 29 December (Christmas 1): 11 a.m., United Parish Communion, Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale.
Sunday 5 January 2020 (Christmas 2): 9.30 a.m., Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, Holy Communion; 11.30, Saint Brendan’s Church, Kilnaughtin (Tarbert), Holy Communion.
Monday 6 January 2020 (The Epiphany): 11 a.m., Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, the Epiphany Eucharist, followed by tea/coffee at the Rectory.
Sunday 12 January (Epiphany 1): 9.30 a.m., Castletown Church, Holy Communion; 11.30 a.m., Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale, Morning Prayer.
Sunday 19 January (Epiphany 2): 9.30 a.m., Askeaton, Morning Prayer; 11.30 a.m., Kilnaughtin, Holy Communion.
Sunday 26 January (Epiphany 3): 9.30 a.m., Castletown, Morning Prayer; 11.30 a.m., Holy Communion, Rathkeale.
Council Kevin Sheehan with Canon Patrick Comerford at the Askeaton Civic Society celebrations
This is an edited version of the Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes parish notes in the December 2019 edition of ‘Newslink,’ the magazine of the Dioceses of Limerick and Killaloe, pp 34-35
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