Song of Songs 2:8-14Luke 1:39-45 O Radiant Dawn,splendour of eternal light,sun of justice;come, shine on thosewho dwell in darknessand the shadow of death. O Oriens First light and then first lines along the eastTo touch and brush a sheen of light on waterAs though behind the sky itself they tracedThe shift and shimmer of another …
Author Archives: Turvey Nuns
Fourth Sunday of Advent (A)
Isaiah 7:10-14Matthew 1:18-24 ‘This is how Jesus CHRIST came to be born.’ Matthew begins his gospel with a lengthy genealogy which requires great concentration, whether you are listening to it or reading it aloud. It’s not unlike having a complicated story plot explained or trying to work out how you are related to a distant …
O Clavis David
Isaiah 7:10-14Luke 1:26-38 O Key of DavidO royal power of Israelcontrolling at your willthe gate of Heaven:Come, break down the prison wallsof death for those who dwell in darknessand lead your captive people into freedom. O Clavis David Even in the darkness where I sitAnd huddle in the midst of miseryI can remember freedom, but …
20th December
Isaiah 7:10-14Luke 1: 26-38 As Christmas draws closers our readings focus on the key figures in God’s plan for humanity. The text from Isaiah 7 in the first reading provides the background to Gospel story of the Annunciation. Isaiah’s words speak directly to the political situation of 736 BC. In the face of the growing …
O Radix Jesse
Judges 13:2-7, 24-25Luke 1:5-25 O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples;kings stand silent in your presence;the nations bow down in worship before you.Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid. O Radix Jesse All of us sprung from one deep-hidden seed,Rose from a root …
19th December
Judges 13:2-7. 24-25Luke 1:5-25 During this week the Liturgy of the Word lays before us the stories in our history that tell of the promise of a child to childless couples. We know this motif so well. A God-fearing couple long for a child, they pray and what had seemed impossible, is now possible. Elizabeth …
O Adonai
Jeremiah 23:5-8Matthew 1:18-24 O Lord of ancient Israel,who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush,who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain;come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free. O Adonai Unsayable, you chose to speak one tongue,Unseeable, you gave yourself away,The Adonai, the TetragramatonGrew by a wayside in the light …
18th December
Jeremiah 23:5-8Matthew 1:18-24 The theme of kingship looms large in the story of our salvation. The transition from the people of Israel living as 12 tribes to their anointing of a king involved twists and turns. They were influenced by what they saw around them and began to long for a king: ‘We want to …
O Sapientia
17th DecemberO Sapientia Gen 49:2, 8-10Mat 1:1-17 O Wisdom, O holy Word of God,you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care.Come and show your peoplethe way to salvation. O SAPIENTIA I cannot think unless I have been thought,Nor can I speak unless I have been spoken.I cannot teach except as I am taught,Or …
17th December
Genesis 49:2,8-10Matthew 1:1-17 O SAPIENTIA The Church now silently selects its top liturgical gear as we move towards Christmas Eve. At Vespers we will sing the first of the Great O Antiphons, O Sapientia. At Mass the prayers and readings are tightly focused. Today our text is from Genesis 49. Jacob in his old age …