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STARTER
(In pairs for 5 minutes)
WORSHIP
READ PASSAGE ALOUD
(How would it feel to be Mary?)
RE-READ PASSAGE AND COMMENTARY
(Personal reflection)
PERSONAL FOCUS
(Personal reflection on the passage / commentary & questions in silence 10 minutes)
COMMENTARY
We are not told what Mary was doing when the angel appeared to her. What we are told is that she was an ordinary peasant girl who was probably not more that 14 years old. It is most likely that this ordinary girl was performing ordinary domestic duties when God sent his messenger to her. He simply invited her to continue with the plans which had already been made-to marry Joseph. Outwardly her life would not change. But inwardly, in the secret places of her innermost being, as she surrendered to God the gift of her ordinary, everyday life and the gift of her humanity, mysterious and awesome changes would take place. He would infuse this ordinariness with his own divine energy and the presence of Jesus.
But the seed of the Son of God would not have been planted in Mary without her willingness. God does not force himself or his gifts on anyone. He waited to hear her ‘Yes'.
She was not asked to do anything for herself, but to let something be done to her. She was not asked to renounce anything, but to receive an incredible gift.
Just as God needed all that Mary had and all that she was to rescue our world from destruction, so he needs us: our souls and bodies, our talents and possessions, our humanity and our ordinariness. And just as he gave the incredible gift of his own life to Mary, so he longs to impregnate us with the divine energy and power. But it needs our ‘Yes' .
[Huggett Open to God]
PERSONAL FOCUS QUESTIONS
(Initially just reflect on the question that chooses you. It may help to clarify your thinking to make notes in the spaces provided. This will also give you material to reflect on in the future)
1. Which verse in this reading speaks to you? What is God saying to you?
2. Speak of a time when you felt fearful or afraid.
3. What do you learn from the quiet, simple way in which God works?
What do you need to say 'Yes ' to in response to God?
PERSONAL FOCUS QUESTIONS
(Discuss in triplets / pray for each other -25 minutes)
LIFE FOCUS
(Discuss in whole group-15 minutes)
4. As we approach Christmas and a New Year what do we need to offer to our friends and neighbours?
5. What practical outcome is there from our reflection? Do we need to make any plans to make things happen?
GROUP MEMORY TIME
(Review the actions you agreed to carry out at previous meetings)
REVIEW TIME
What has been the most helpful thing to you in this meeting?
What would you like to do differently next time?
PRAYER TIME
A time of quiet reflection in preparation for Christmas might be appropriate. |
