31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 1st November 2020. Lectionary Readings: Revelation 7 v 9-17 People of every nation. 1 John 3 v 1-3 Children of God. Matthew 5 v 1-12. The sermon on the mount. A Sense of Belonging. In the place of an old testament reading this week we have a…
30th Sunday in ordinary Time Year A 25th October 2020 Lectionary Readings: Leviciticus 19 v1-2, 15-18. Moral and religious laws. 1 Thessalonians 2 v1-8. Paul’s work in Thessalonica. Matthew 22 v 34-46. The most important commandments. Tricky questions, demanding answers. In the Old Testament passage, Moses speaks for God in declaring…
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 18th October 2020. Lectionary readings Isaiah 45 v1-7 Cyrus obeys the Lord’s commands. Thessalonians 1 v1-10 The Thessalonian’s faith and example. Matthew 22 v15-22. Paying taxes. Knowing and Believing. I wonder if King Cyrus of Persia ever knew that God was using him as an…
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 11th October 2020 Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 25 v1-9. A prayer of thanks to God. Philippians 4 v1-9. Paul encourages the Lord’s followers. Matthew 22 v1-14. The great banquet Actions have consequences. Matthew’s telling of the great banquet story contains some verses that are difficult to reconcile with…
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 4th October 2020. Lectionary Readings Isaiah 5 v1-7. A song about a vineyard. Philippians 3 v4b-14. Being acceptable to God. Matthew 21 v33-46. Tenants of a vineyard. “Are you receiving me? Over” Like a radio operator, Jesus is asking his listeners, (Chief Priests, Temple Leaders, Teachers…
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 27th September 2020. Lectionary Readings: Ezekiel 18 v1-4, 25-32. Stop sinning and live! Philippians 2 v1-13. Christ’s example of true humility. Matthew 21 v23-32. A question about Jesus’ authority and a story about two sons. Seeing is Believing (for some, but not all, it seems.) Jesus…
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 20th September 2020. Lectionary Readings: Jonah 3 v10-4 v11 The people of Nineveh believe God’s message. Philippians 1 v21-30 What life means to Paul. Matthew 20 v1-16. Workers in a vineyard. Just to turn things on their head, I am starting with some questions for you to ponder:-…
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 13th September 2020 Lectionary Readings Genesis 50 v 15-21. Joseph forgives his brothers. Romans 14 v 1-12. Don’t criticize others. Matthew 18 v 21-35. An official who refuses to forgive. Reluctance In the Old Testament reading, the brothers of Joseph seem reluctant to ask his forgiveness…
23rd Sunday on Ordinary Time Year A 6th September 2020 Lectionary Readings Ezekiel 33 v 7-11 Ezekiel is appointed to ‘stand watch’ for the people of Israel. Romans 13 v 8-14 Love is all that the Law demands. Matthew 18 v 15-20 When someone sins. ‘Standing Watch’ over the flow of God’s…
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 30th August 2020. Lectionary readings Jeremiah 15 v15-21 Jeremiah complains and God replies. Romans 12 v9-21 Rules for Christian Living. Matthew 16 v21-28 Jesus speaks about his suffering and death. “Stop talking like a fool” and “Think like God” (or Straight and Crooked Thinking explained…