Jeremiah 20:10-13John 10:31-42 As we get closer to Holy Week there is a sense of growing tension in every encounter that Jesus has. He is challenged on every level and his responses only add to the confusion of his hearers. Today he makes a very simple appeal: if you don’t believe in me, at least …
Author Archives: Turvey Nuns
Thursday in the Fifth Week of Lent
Genesis 17:3-9Psalm 104(105):4-9John 8:51-59 The Lord remembers his covenant for ever. Using the responsorial psalm verse as a repeated prayer or mantra can often be a very helpful way into the Liturgy of the Word. It’s especially helpful today as the theme of covenant links our readings. God’s faithfulness to us and our faithfulness to …
Wednesday in Fifth Week of Lent
Daniel 3:14-20,24-25,28John 8:31-42 In much of John’s Gospel Jesus speaks to people who struggle to understand him. He speaks figuratively and his hearers assume he is being concrete. We, however, are so used to quotations from the Gospels and usually can grasp their meaning. ‘If you make my word your homeyou will indeed be my …
Tuesday in the Fifth Week of Lent
Numbers 21:4-9John 8:21-30 Each year as we get closer to Holy Week I find that the readings are a little more complex than those we read in the early weeks of Lent. The texts from John’s Gospel ask a little more of me. John writes in a register which I feel requires me to hold …
Monday in the Fifth Week of Lent
JOHN 8:12-20 As we move towards Holy Week there is a sense of growing tension in our Gospel texts. Jesus’ actions are being watched very closely and every word of his teaching is being scrutinised. Vigorous debate and cross questioning were an important part of the faith world of Jesus. It’s easy to forget this …
Fifth Sunday in Lent (C)
Isaiah 43:16-21Ps 125 (6)John 8:1-11 As we get closer to Holy Week the liturgy builds in intensity. We have journeyed with Jesus from desert to mountain top and we have heard his invitation to turn our hearts to God, to bear fruit for his Kingdom. And now the Church puts before us a story that …
Saturday in the Fourth Week of Lent
Jeremiah 11:18-20John 7:40-52 Where you come from seems to matter a great deal in the Bible. It’s not just your town or village that is under scrutiny, but your parents too. In its best light this is about being able to trace the path of God’s promise. The promise of the Messiah, the Anointed One, …
Thursday in the Fourth Week of Lent
Exodus 32: 7-14John 5:31-47 In today’s reading from Exodus God challenges Moses about the creation of a golden calf. Moses tries to defend the people and makes appeal to a tradition that stretches far back in biblical memory: ‘Remember Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, your servants to whom by your own self you swore and made …
Wednesday in the Fourth Week of Lent
Isaiah 49:8-15John 5:17-30 Each year in Lent the Church gives us the opportunity to revisit the story of our salvation. It’s a story of faith and great ideals, of times of bitter disappointment and the utmost courage. In the first readings in our weekday lectionary we are invited to identify with the people of Israel. …
Tuesday in the Fourth Week of Lent
Ezekiel 47:1-9,12John 5:1-3, 5-16 Along the river, on either bank, will grow every kind of fruit tree with leaves that never wither and fruit that never fails; they will bear new fruit every month, because this water comes from the sanctuary. And their fruit will be good to eat and the leaves medicinal. This passage …