22nd Dec

1 Samuel 1:24-28 I don’t think I could imagine a more poignant scene if I tried than that of Hannah leaving her child Samuel in the Temple at Shiloh. Everything about the story raises a huge question. Hannah had longed for a child and saw the birth of Samuel as the greatest blessing. And yet, …

21st Dec

Song of Songs 2:8-14Luke 1:39-45 There’s an air of joy and urgency that weaves through the readings and prayers of our liturgy today. The first reading today comes from the Song of Songs. It’s not used very often in the lectionary, though is an option for Weddings and Religious Professions. The writer imagines their Beloved …

20th Dec

Isaiah 7:1014 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 power of …

18th Dec

Jeremiah 23:5-8 Matthew 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 …

17th Dec

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 asks his twelve sons to …