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The Word today, Advent1C

  • Writer: Admin
    Admin
  • Nov 29, 2024
  • 3 min read

Updated: Dec 5, 2024



December 02 - December 07, 2024



Isaiah 2:1-5 As a new church year opens, our rst reading is a clarion call to start again and set out on the pilgrimage of faith fresh vision and energy. The marvellous image of transforming weapons of war into instruments of agriculture speaks in every age.


Matthew 8:5-11 The faith of the centurion is indeed remarkable: “just give the word.” What “word” from the Lord do I need at this moment in my life?


St Francis Xavier, religious and priest


Isaiah 11:1-10 The human hope for harmony is portrayed in this reading as a harmony in nature itself, even among the most unlikely animals.


Luke 10:21-24 Jesus pronounces a remarkable prayer in today’s gospel, a very encouraging prayer: we all stand before the mystery and mercy of God, thank God!


St John Damascene, priest and doctor


Isaiah 25:6-10 This reading is familiar from funerals; it offers a great vision of God and God’s gift of ultimate, comprehensive consolation. The idea that God will destroy death for ever was a hope at the time of writing; in our Christian faith we know that God has achieved this in Jesus.


Matthew 15:29-37 The compassion of Jesus is outstanding in this reading: it is he who names the need and supplies the food. What hunger does he identify in us today? How are we nourished by him?



Isaiah 26:1-6 As you listen, you may notice all the words to do with protection: strong city, gates, rock, citadel, forming a great call to faith and trust in God.


Matthew 7:21,24-27 It is always tempting to think that once you’ve said your prayers, you’re done. The prophets regularly pillory such complacency and so does Jesus. In addition, awareness of local geography adds over to his words. In the Judean desert, there are dry river beds called wadis, subject to ash oods. To build on such an exposed foundation is the very height of foolishness.


St Nicholas, bishop


Isaiah 29:17-24 As often in the Bible, there are promises to the deaf, the blind and the poor. Each of us is precisely dead, blind and poor and so the message is for us all today, if only we would pay attention. We hold fast to conviction that the Lord is our light and our help.


Matthew 9:27-31 Miracle stories, like today’s, are always meant to be taken at two levels. Rather than wonder about the past, we could ask in the present, how am I blind? What is my need of the gift of sight which comes with faith?


St Ambrose, bishop and doctor


Isaiah 30:19-21,23-26 The prophet raises the hopes of his hearers with a grand vision of peace and prosperity, a gift of God himself. Such harmony and well being come from following the way offered by God. Their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. (Psalms 1:2–3).


Matthew 9:35-10:1,5,6-8 Again, it is the compassion of Jesus which is outstanding. He feels and he acts and he sends out. Our need for the word of compassion and the healing touch of God is great. Perhaps I too am being called to some ministry in the community of faith or in society at large?


References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024ac, December 1). First Sunday of Advent. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120124.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/


 
 
 

The Word today, Christ the KingB

  • Writer: Admin
    Admin
  • Nov 23, 2024
  • 3 min read


November 25 - November 30, 2024


St Clement 1, bishop of Rome, martyr; St Catherine of Alexandria, virgin and martyr; St Colman of Cloyne, bishop.


Apocalypse 14:1-5 A vision of heaven opens—for those who following the Lamb. The 144,000 is symbolic (12x12x1000) meaning the whole world, everyone.


Luke 21:1-4 Though brief, this is a powerful story. We all recognise that quantity is not the measure of the gift but quality of the giving, the attitude of the heart. The little anecdote is in sharp contrast to the preceding avarice of the scribes.



Apocalypse 14:14-19 In this vision, the sufferings of the end of time are read using harvest imagery. Harvest, suggesting fruitfulness and ingathering, is a natural metaphor for the end of time.


Luke 21:5-11 Luke wrote long after the destruction of the Temple. The issue for him is not the destruction but the link between its ruin and the end of time. He writes to prevent useless speculation and insists that the end will not be at all secret but public.


St Fergal, bishop and missionary


Apocalypse 15:1-4 In this vision, the victory over evil is accomplished. The hymn quoted was probably used in the regular worship of the hearers. It’s use here is to encourage those still undergoing signicant harassment if not persecution.


Luke 21:12-19 Our gospels is a demanding teaching on the cost of bearing witness. As such, it looks forward to the Acts of the Apostles and there we see the early church suffering and courageously confessing Jesus. Jesus asks his disciples to follow his own example of costly faithfulness.



Apocalypse 18:1-2, 21-23, 19:1-3, 9 Today’s reading is a fantastical mock funeral for the forces of evil, represented by Babylon (= the Roman Empire). Thankfully, it ends positively.


Luke 21:20-28 There are two fairly distinct parts to our Gospel today. Firstly, Luke looks back on the actual destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 by the Romans. He reads the tragedy in the light of Old Testament predictions. The second part looks forward to the future coming of the Son of Man. For Luke, the extended “time of the church” leads to the end of time itself, at which point the believers will have nothing to fear.



Apocalypse 20:1-4,11-21 A dramatic vision of the end, with the destruction of evil, illustrated with ancient imagery of Satan, the Abyss and the book of life. Then God will establish the New Jerusalem, presenting her like a bride adorned.


Luke 21:29-33 A little horticulture may help. The g blossoms in late spring so it means that summer will soon arrive. The reference to “this generation” was already out of date, so to speak, when Luke wrote. Perhaps for him it points not to this very generation but to the generation at the end of time.


St Andrew, apostle


Romans 10:9-18 Paul is convinced that the Word of God is very near to us, “in our hearts and on our lips.” We need, nevertheless, bearers of that Word, more than ever…perhaps I could be a carrier myself ?


Matthew 4:18-22 As usual in the call stories, human things that would interest us—how did their wives and children feel?—are left out and we stand before the sovereign call of Jesus. Have I heard that call in my own life? coming is not a reason for complacency.


References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024aa, November 24). The solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112424.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/


 
 
 

The Word today, W33B

  • Writer: Admin
    Admin
  • Nov 15, 2024
  • 3 min read


November 18 - November 23, 2024


Dedication of the Basilicas of Sts Peter and Paul, apostles


Apocalypse 1:1-4, 2:1-5 The opening words of this reading promise us happiness—if we listen! The close letter is call to repentance, never too late!


Luke 18:35-43 The blind man is strategically placed on the road out of Jericho, just when pilgrims would be feeling uplifted by the proximity of the Holy City. In expanded form, the prayer of the blind man has entered Christian tradition as the “Jesus prayer”: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.



Apocalypse 3:1-6, 14-22 The gospel communities in Sardis and Laodicea give the impression being alive…but the reality is otherwise. This wake-up call is for us too.


Luke 19:1-10 This beloved story has universal appeal. It illustrates both the proclamation of the Good News and its reception by conversation of heart. Of course, we all have to climb our own sycamore trees!



Apocalypse 4:1-11 A worship scene opens up for us: rich in symbol and mysterious. At the centre we hear words we use at every mass; at the end, we confess God, the creator of all there is.


Luke 19:11-28 Luke’s version of this parable —also found in Matthew, with an echo in Mark)—is provocative, even disturbing. It does reflect the instability of the making and unmaking of kings is late first century Palestine. At the same time, Luke wants us to read it as part of his teaching about Jesus, both proclaimer of the Kingdom and King. The frame is a severe warning not to flitter away the time of delay because the King will indeed return at an unexpected time.


Presentation of the BVM


Apocalypse 5:1-10 The sealed scroll contains the plan of God for the course of history. Who can open it? The lamb—Jesus—can open it, because of his cross and resurrection.


Luke 19:41-44 Our Gospel today—unique to Luke— looks back historically to what actually happened. Jesus looks back not in anger but in compassion. At the same time, the reason for the destruction is given: all because you did not recognise your opportunity when God offered it. This final comment brings the text into our present reality. Cf. See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! (2 Corinthians 6:2)


St Cecilia, virgin and martyr


Apocalypse 10:8-11 This puzzling scene—an echo of Ezekiel —tell us that the writer had a message both bitter and sweet. Sweet to those on the side of God; bitter to those on “the other side.”


Luke 19:45-48 Luke’s version of the Temple action is much gentler perhaps reflecting Luke’s concern to affirm the Jewish roots of the Christian movement. It is, nevertheless, a judgment and a prophetic call.


St Columbanus, abbot and missionary


Apocalypse 11:4-12 The Apocalypse does not lack obscurity—at least for us today! Who are the “two witnesses”? The imagery of the olive trees and the lampstands suggests channels through which God’s grace becomes effective, offering light. The Old Testament reference is to Zech 4:1- 14: Joshua the priest and Zerubbabel the king, here standing for the priestly and royal roles of Israel. Thus, they symbolise the church, God’s new people, both priestly and kingly.


The witnesses—church members—will indeed suffer martyrdom, but they are alive in God and their witness is ever effective.


Luke 20:27-40 Our reading today is certainly mysterious. It echoes stories of Elijah and Elisha. The prophets did and will suffer— but God, in whose hands they are, will raise them up.


References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024y, November 17). Thirty-third Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111724.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/


 
 
 
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