First Sunday in Ordinary Time                   Year C                                     9th January 2022 Lectionary Readings:   Isaiah 43 v1-7;    Psalm 29;    Acts 8 v14-17;    Luke 3 v15-17, 21-22. Symbols of God’s presence. In response to the crowd’s speculation that he might be ‘the Messiah’, John the Baptist said, “I am baptizing with water. But someone more powerful is…

Second Sunday of Christmas.                      Year C                                     2nd January 2022 Lectionary Readings:  Jeremiah 31 v7-14;   Psalm 147 v12-20;   Ephesians 1 v3-14; John 1 v10-18. ‘Rejoice’ The readings this week speak of restoration and healing. God has a plan for our future that will result in lasting peace and harmony between individuals, families, communities and nations.…

First Sunday of Christmas.                          Year C                         26th December 2021 Lectionary Readings: 1 Samuel 2 v18-20,26; Psalm 148; Colossians 3 v12-17; Luke 2 v41-52. Nurture. At the end of today’s reading from Luke’s gospel, Luke writes, ‘Jesus became wise’ (v52a). Sure, Jesus became wise as he matured, but I don’t think he was wise at…

Fourth Sunday of Advent                             Year C                         19th December 2021 Lectionary Readings:   Micah 5 v2-5a;   Hebrews 10 v5-10;   Luke 1 v39-45 (46-55). An invitation to make a connection. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby moved within her. The Holy Spirit came upon Elizabeth. (Luke 1 v41). Why has Luke mentioned the Holy Spirit in…

Third Sunday of Advent                     Year C                                              12th December 2021 Lectionary Readings:   Zephaniah 3 v14-20;   Philippians 4 v4-7;   Luke 3 v7-18. Jumping on the bandwagon. ‘Crowds of people came out to be baptized, but John said to them, “You snakes! Who warned you to run from the coming judgement? Do something to show that you…

Second Sunday of Advent                            Year C                                     5th December 2021 Lectionary readings:   Malachi 3 v1-4;   Philippians 1 v3-11;   Luke 3 v1-6. Being able to see the saving power of God. The prophet Malachi speaking on God’s behalf said; “The messenger you desire is coming with my promise and he is on his way.” (Malachi 3…

First Sunday of Advent                                Year C                                 28th November 2021. Lectionary readings: Jeremiah 33 v14-16;  Psalm 25 v1-10;  1 Thessalonians 3 v9-13;    Luke 21 v25-36. Looking back and moving on. The lectionary readings this week are a curious mix. They seem to be inviting us to look back to our roots, to ponder our…

Sunday before Advent (Christ the King).               Year B                         21st November 2021. Lectionary Readings: Daniel 7 v9-10, 13-14;  Psalm 93;  Revelation 1 v4b-8;  John 18 v33-37. Added extras. John’s version of the encounter between Jesus and Pilate is more detailed than those of Mark, Matthew and Luke. (Mark 15 v1-5; Matthew 27 v11-14; Luke 23…

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time                  Year B                                 14th November 2021 Lectionary readings: Daniel 12 v1-3;   Psalm 16;   Hebrews 10 v11-25;   Mark 13 v1-8. Troubles. “Nations and kingdoms will go to war against each other. There will be earthquakes in many places and people will starve to death. But this is just the beginning…

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary time.               Year B                            7th November 2021. Lectionary Readings:  1 Kings 17 v8-16;  Psalm 146;  Hebrews 9 v24-28;  Mark 12 v38-44. Compassion plus ? = Justice Mark tells a story about a poor widow who placed all she had, as her gift, into the Temple offering box. (Mark 12 v41-44).…