Isaiah 65:17-21John 4:43-54 Naming a child carries such significance. In biblical times the naming of a child could serve as a way of remembering a significant event. The name Moses comes from the root verb ‘to draw’ or ‘pull out’, because he was drawn out of the River Nile. His name would always be a …
Monthly Archives: March 2025
Fourth Sunday in Lent (C)
Joshua 5:9-12Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32 This is the second time this Lent that he hear the parable of the Lost Son. I find it helpful to read the three parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son together. Luke’s narrative skill invites us into each scene, and we almost have no …
Saturday in Third Week of Lent
Hosea 5:15-6:6Luke 18:9-14 The prophets were all called to deliver challenging messages to people who found themselves in crisis. It was largely a crisis of faith. One question occupied the hearts and minds of the people: Has God abandoned us? As political alliances failed and the prospect of exile loomed, Hosea speaks to the injustices …
Friday in the Third Week of Lent
Hosea 14: 2-10Mark 12:28-34 ‘One of the scribes came up to Jesus and put this question to him, ‘Which is the first of all the commandments?’ Jesus replied, ‘This is the first: Listen, Israel. the Lord our God is the one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with …
Thursday in the Third Week of Lent
Jeremiah 7:23-28Luke 11:14-23 ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses.’ The onlookers in today’s Gospel challenge the very nature of Jesus’ power to work miracles. Jesus has cast out a devil and rather than accepting this as a miracle, the onlookers set up a polarity: Jesus …
Wednesday in the Third Week of Lent
Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9Matthew 5:17-19 Moses said to the people; Now, Israel, take notice of the laws and customs that I teach you today, and observe them, that you may have life and may enter and take possession of the land that the Lord God of your Fathers is giving you. Scripture scholar, Walter Brueggemann, sees …
The Annunciation
Isaiah 7:10-14,8:10Luke 1:26-38 ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High.’ Do you ever stop and wonder how different our faith might be if Jesus …
Monday in the Third Week of Lent
2 Kings 5:1-15 Luke 4:24-30 Jesus starts his preaching ministry in his home town of Nazareth. He doesn’t start gently with an engaging story, but boldly he unrolls the Isaiah scroll and announces that these prophecies are being fulfilled. A huge leap of faith is required on the part of the people in the synagogue. The …
Third Sunday in Lent (C)
Exodus 3:1-8, 13-15Luke 13:1-9 This week the Church lays before us a parable that can challenge and comfort us in equal measure. The parable of the Fig tree is particular to Luke and its message comes at a stage in Lent when my initial fervour is usually starting to wane a little. A man had …
Saturday in the Second Week of Lent
Micah 7:14-15, 18-20Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 My son, you are with me always, and all I have is yours. But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found. These are some of my favourite verses from the Parable of …