Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time                   Year C                                     9th February 2025 Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 6 v1-8 (9-13); Psalm 138; 1 Corinthians 15 v1-11; Luke 5 v1-11. You (Lord) have made us what we are. The notion of God making us what we are is reflected in all today’s readings. Isaiah is commissioned by God to…

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time                           Year C                         2nd February 2025 Lectionary Readings: Jeremiah 1 v4-10; Psalm 71 v1-6; 1 Corinthians 13 v1-13; Luke 4 21-30. The people of Nazareth turn against Jesus. Luke’s story of the people’s reaction to Jesus declaring that the prophecy of Isaiah had come true in him, (Luke 4 v16-20),…

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time                 Year C                                    26th  January 2025 Lectionary Readings: Nehemiah 8 v1-10; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 12 v12-31a;  Luke 4 v14-21. New Life. The Psalmist writes, “The Law of the Lord is perfect, it gives new life. His teachings last for ever and they give wisdom to ordinary people.” (Psalm 19…

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time               Year C                                     19th January 2025 Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 62 v1-5; Psalm 36 v5-10; 1 Corinthians 12 v1-11; John 2 v1-11. The generosity of God. John wants his readers to be in no doubt that Jesus is the Son of God.  Three times in the first chapter, Jesus’ true identity…

First Sunday of Ordinary Time       Year C                                     12th January 2025 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                        5th  January 2025 Lectionary readings:Jeremiah 31   v7-14               Israel will return to its own land.Psalm 147                               Sing and praise the Lord.Ephesians 1 v3-14                  Christ brings spiritual blessings.John 1 v1-18.                         The Word of life. The ‘Ultimate Blessing’. Jeremiah foretells of a time when God’s people will celebrate…

First Sunday of Christmas.                          Year C                         29th December 2024 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                         22nd  December 2024 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                                              15th December 2024 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…