Year of Mark

Mark's Gospel is about the person of Jesus himself. Our readings follow Jesus from the beginning of his ministry, along the journey to Jerusalem, and leads up to the 'who do you say I am' dialogue with Peter. However, at the point where Mark's Gospel would tell the story of the multiplication of the loaves, our cycle takes us on a four-Sunday excursion to John's Gospel to expand on the theme of the Eucharist.

Season of Advent

1st Sunday of Advent

GOSPEL: Mark 13: 33-37: Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 63:16-17; 64: 1; 3-8: This is the third Isaiah. The prophet asks for mercy, and for the coming of a time of redemption. This is the focus of our Advent season.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 1: 3-9: A prayer of thanks from Paul for the faith and blessings of the people of Corinth.

Themes: be watchful, prepare for the God's kingdom

Hymn suggestions: City of God, O come Emmanuel, I thank my God, Though the mountains may fall; Be thou my vision; I found a treasure; Be still and know; Our God reigns; How great thou art.

2nd Sunday of Advent

GOSPEL: Mark 1: 1-8. The start of Mark's Gospel. Mark begins with the preaching of John the Baptist, who says that one is to come after him 'whose sandal straps he was unworthy to untie' who would baptise with the Holy Spirit.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 40: 1-5; 9-11. From the 'second Isaiah' part of the book; the prophet gives these words of comfort to the Jewish people in exile in Babylon. The time of salvation was within sight (at the time, this was the restoration by Cyrus). Here, we hear of the 'voice crying in the wilderness' that would later be interpreted as John the Baptist.

SECOND READING: 2 Peter 3:8-14. In the early Church, there came a time when people who had been expecting the 'second coming' to happen very soon suffered doubts, or were susceptible to fals prophets. The writer of this letter (Peter or one of his disciples) points out that 'God's time' does not correspond to human time; they should wait patiently. This fits with our Advent sense of expectation.

Themes: waiting for the Lord

Hymn suggestions: as for last Sunday; any Advent carol

3rd Sunday of Advent

GOSPEL: John 1: 6-8; 19-29. John's version of the story we heard from Mark last Sunday. John the Baptist would be the 'voice crying in the wilderness fortold in Isaiah (our first reading last Sunday).

FIRST READING: Isaiah 61:1-2; 10-11. This is the well known section of the late Isaiah which is read by Jesus in the synagogue at the start of his ministry; it gives a vision of God's kingdom in an earthly sense i.e. a kingdom of justice, where the needs of all were met (by others).

SECOND READING: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24. Paul tells the converts he gained in Thessalonica to always rejoice in the Lord and pray to him. He finishes up with a short blessing.

Themes: waiting for the Lord; God's kingdom is one of mercy, justice

Hymn suggestons: Come as you are; Come to the water; Gentle as silence; Lift up your hearts; God's spirit is in my heart; We find you Lord in others need; Christ be our light

4th Sunday of Advent

GOSPEL: Luke 1: 26-38. Although we are in the Year of Mark, only Matthew and Luke tell the 'infancy narrative'. This is the story of the Angel Gabriel appearing to Mary and telling her that she would bear the Promised One. Mary's 'Yes' to God's will is one we should echo.

FIRST READING: 2 Samuel 7: 1-5; 8-11; 16. King David queried his prophet, Nathan, about the fact that he lived in a 'house of cedar' (a palace, as cedar was a precious wood) when the Ark of the Covenant was still in a tent (having previously been moved from place to place). However, Yahweh's reply to David was a bit complex: rather than David building a 'house' for the Lord, the Lord would make David a 'house' for Israel. Herein lies the relationship of this reading to today's Gospel: Joseph (and probably Mary also) was of the House of David - a descendent of the King, thus making Jesus 'of David's line'. This would gain significance in the later, kingly interpretations of Jesus' role as Messiah.

SECOND READING: Romans 16:25-27. This small section comes at the end of the letter and is a sort of doxology.

Themes: Mary, the house of David, the Lord is near

Hymn suggestions: The Angel Gabriel; A noble flow'r of Judah; general Marian hymns; Magnificat (any setting)

Christmas Day

Readings differ at different Masses. Because Christmas falls on a Sunday this year, we will miss out on the Feast of the Holy Family.

Hymn suggestions: Christmas carols (Christian ones, NOT seasonal ones)

Sunday between Christmas Day and January 1st: Feast of the Holy Family

dd not happen in 2011; I will update later

1st January: Mary, Mother of God

GOSPEL: Luke 2:16-21.The shepherds go to view the infant Jesus in the manger, after being told by the angels of the coming of the Promised One. For the feast of today, the important part of this reading is that "Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart".

FIRST READING: Numbers 6:22-27. This blessing, given by God to Moses, is a well known blessing in Judaism and in Protestant churches, but is less often used in the Catholic Church. We are reminded of it today because of its echo in the Matnificat, where Mary tells how she is blessed by God.

SECOND READING: Galatians 4:4-7. Paul does not mention Mary by name, but in this section of this letter explains that we become children of God because Mary bore Jesus as her son.

Hymn suggestions: Carols or Marian hymns; particularly carols which refer to Mary or Mary and Joseph etc.; The Angel Gabriel from Heaven came; Mary's boy child (verse 1, refrain then verse that follows and refrain again):

Now Mary was a lowly maid when the Angel he appeared

And told her God had chosen her, and not to be afeared;

For she would bear the Promised One, the holy Saviour Boy,

and Mary she said 'Yes' to God, and gave us our Christmas joy.

Sunday after 1st January: Ephiphany

GOSPEL: Matthew 2:1-12. The story of the three Magi ('Wise Men', also termed Kings) visiting Jesus. This story does not occur in Mark (whose Gospel we read for most of the year). The word 'Epiphany' means a sudden realisation of great truth; the Magi are not Jews but pagans, yet they recognise the 'truth' of the infant Jesus as a sign from the One God (they probably belonged to the priestly caste of Zoroastrianism, another monotheistic religion of the time; they practised astrology and so saw the 'sign' in the stars). The gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrrh were understood at the time to be reserved for kings; hence the nature of the gifts were a reconition of Jesus as a king.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 60:1-6. This is the 'second Isaiah', telling the people (at a time of suffering in exile) that the glory of Jerusalem will return. The reading is chosen for today because of its reference to the treasures coming from 'the nations', including gold and frankincense (mentioned as gifts of the Magi in the Gospel).

SECOND READING: Ephesians 3: 2-3; 5-6. A short section from this letter, chosen because of its reference to the Gentiles as 'fellow heirs' to the mystery revealed in Jesus. The Magi, the focus of today, were the first Gentiles to recognise Jesus as King.

Themes: the revelation of the infant Jesus as king

Hymn suggestions: carols that refer specifically to the three wise men iristmas story e.g. We three kings;The First Nowell; Mary's boy child. You may need to select verses or split the carol e.g. We three kings v 1, 2, 3 at start and v 1, 4, 5 at the end. For 'First Nowell' prune verses to the ones best suited; same for 'Mary's boy child' if you use that one. I suggest 'Gloria in excelsis Deo' again as the Gospel Acclamation.

Season of Lent

1st Sunday of Lent

GOSPEL: Mark 1: 12-15. The account of Jesus' forty days in the desert is read each liturgical year at the beginning of Lent. Mark's account, unlike Matthew or Luke, does not go into the detail of the fasting or the temptations. However, Mark does say that Jesus was tempted by Satan and that angels ministered to him.

FIRST RFADING: Genesis 9: 8-15. The account of the covenant made with Noah after the Flood, God's promise that he would never again flood the whole earth. There are flood stories in a number of mythologies from the area, which are likely to be conflations of orally transmitted memories from several real events, including large floods of the Tigris-Euphrates systems and possibly sea-level changes in the Black Sea/Caspian area. The choice of this reading for this Sunday probably relates to the Lenten season being an opportunity to make a fresh start, turning away from what is venial and unworthy in our lives, just as in the biblical story the Flood wiped away the corruption on Earth and gave Noah a fresh start.

SECOND READING: 1 Peter 3:18-22. This letter is attributed to St Peter, written from Rome to various communities in what is now Turkey. Peter likens the saving of baptism to the saving of Noah by the ark. The link is to today's first reading.

Themes: turn away from sin; redemption

Hymn suggestions: Hear O Lord; Be thou my vision; The glory of these forty days; Amazing grace; Day by day; Deeper and deeper; How great thou art; Love is his word

Gospel acclamation: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ/ No-one lives on bread alone

2nd Sunday of Lent

GOSPEL:Mark 9: 2-10: Each liturgical year the account of the Transfiguration is read on the second Sunday of Lent. In Mark's Gospel, the account comes shortly after Jesus tells his disciples that he is destined to suffer and die. The disciples who accompanied Jesus were to have their understanding of the nature of the Messiah transformed in many ways; witnessing this gives them a glimpse of the divine glory which underlies it.

FIRST READING: Genesis 22:1-2; 9-13; 15-18. Abraham is tested when he is asked to sacrifice his own son. God's voice from heaven stops him at the last minute. As often, there are echoes of a story from Hebrew tradition in an event in Jesus' life.

SECOND READING: Romans 8: 31-34. God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for all. As for last Sunday, this links our first reading to our Gospel for today.

Themes: Lent

Hymn suggestions: as for last Sunday. General praise hymns also, or Christ as king e.g. Hail Redeemer

Gospel acclamation: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ/ From within the shining cloud, hear the voice of God: "This is my beloved Son, listen to his word". Same tune as last Sunday.

3rd Sunday of Lent

GOSPEL: John 2: 13-25. The cleansing of the Temple. We read John's, rather than Mark's account, here. In John, this occurs early in Jesus' ministry, whereas Mark and the other synoptic writers place it nearer the events of the Passion. The choice for this Sunday is likely related to Jesus statement about destroyng the temple and rebuilding it in three days.

FIRST READING: Exodus 20:1-17. The 'Ten Commandments'. We read last Sunday of the covenant with Noah. Here, the expectations of the Lord's people are spelt out more explicitly, particularly that they would have no other God and would honour God's ways. Possibly this is also drawn to our attention in relation to the way in which the spirit of godly conduct was notably lacking in those who attempted to use the Temple as a source of worldly gain.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthian 1: 22-25. "Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom". Corinth, and much of the world of the early Church, was influenced by Greek culture. Christ's life and death made little sense in terms of the elegant logic and argument favoured by those who saw themselves as the successors of the Greek philosophers. Neither were all Jews convinced by the 'signs' in Jesus' life. Paul here states that what the Gentiles and Jews both saw as folly was "the foolishness of God ...wiser than men".

Themes: Lent; Jesus 'the temple'

Hymn suggestions: The glory of these forty days; Love is his word; I found a treasure; Come back to me (Song of Hosea); Christ be our light; Be not afraid;

Gospel acclamation: Praise to you - No-one lives on bread alone

4th Sunday of Lent

GOSPEL: John 3:14-21: Part of the Nicodemus dialogue; Jesus tells Nicodemus that belief in him is the path to eternal life. God loved the world so much he gave his only Son, that all who believe in him might have eternal life. Jesus speaks of the light coming into the world.

FIRST READING: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16; 19-23. Chronicles is a history of the Jewish people from Genesis to the return from the Babylonian exile, written probably in the 6th century BCE. This section describes the events of the exile as arising from the unfaithfulness of the Jewish religious leaders who "polluted the house of the Lord". It then goes on to describe how King Cyrus of Persia restored the temple in Jerusalem. The relation to today's Gospel is a little obscure, but may be because of Jesus words about those who do evil hating the light (i.e. they conceal their misdeeds); it was the concealed misdeeds of the religious leaders which the author of Chronicles blames for the disaster that led to the Babylonian exile.

SECOND READING: Ephesians 2: 4-10. By Christ's grace we have been saved.

Themes: Light in the darkness, Christ's saving grace

Hymn suggestions: Christ be our light; You are salt for the earth O people; Amazing grace; the Beatitudes (any setting); Come as you are; any Lenten hymns

Gospel acclamation: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ- Our God loved the world so much, that he gave his Son, so that all who believe in him, now can live forever. Same tune as other Sundays of Lent.

5th Sunday of Lent

GOSPEL: John 12:20-33. This takes place after the entry to Jerusalem we commemorate next Sunday. Jesus says his heart is troubled - anticipating the Agony in the Garden - and goes on to speak more about his death. He uses the analogy of a grain of wheat falling to earth before it sprouts. He says that he must obey his Father's will.

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 31: 31-34. Jeremiah speaks at a time just before the Babylonian exile. The religious rulers made various compromises with their foreign overlords to try to preserve their place in society, and also plotted to use other foreign powers to try to throw of their yoke. In this and various ways they also compromised the sanctity of the Temple and the Law. Jeremiah speaks of a 'New Covenant' which would not be written on stone but in peoples hearts, one based on love of God and neighbour. We interpret this as being the new covenant established by Jesus' death and resurrection.

SECOND READING: Hebrews 5: 7-9. Hebrews is written by a follower of Paul to Jewish converts. This section relates to today's Gospel.

Themes: the Passion and the Resurrection

Hymn suggestions: Glory be to Jesus, Hail Redeemer, Soul of my Saviour; Gentle as Silence; I am the bread of life (with the I am the resurrection verse),

Gospel acclamation: Praise to you - Christ became obedient, even unto death. Therefore God has raised him up, named above all others.

Passion Sunday

Gospel: Mark 14:1-15; 47. Mark's account of the Passion.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 50: 4-7. This will not be read at St Pius

SECOND READING: Philippians 2:6-11. This will not be read this year at St Pius

Themes: the suffering and death of Jesus; our redemption

Hymn suggestions: The king of glory comes; All glory laud and honour; Love unknown; Hail Redeemer;

Season of Easter

Easter Sunday

Different readngs at the Vigil and morning masses.

Second Sunday of Easter

GOSPEL: John 20: 19-31. The appearance of Jesus in the upper room; Thomas is not there and is doubtful. When Jesus appears again, Thomas sees and believes.

FIRST READING: Acts 4:32-35. In this season we take our first readings from Acts, telling the story of the development of the Church after the resurrection. This reading is set in the earliest times, when the disciples and followers of Jesus were still in Jerusalem. It tells of the change of heart that became evident in the way they lived.

SECOND READING: 1 John 5:1-7. This letter was written fairly late in the first century, as a general letter (encyclical) to all christians. In this section, the authour tells the readers to keep the commandments (this is possibly a counter to a group who believed that this was not needed).

Themes: Resurrection, having faith

Hymn suggestions: Lord of the dance; I am the resurrection; New life; Christ is alive; By your kingly pow'r O risen Lord; Thine be the glory; This joyful Eastertide;

Third Sunday of Easter

GOSPEL: Luke 24: 35-48 : This is just after Jesus appeared to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Jesus appears to his gathered followers, and 'opens their minds' to the meaning of what has happened.

FIRST READING: Acts 3:13-15; 17-19.. This takes place just after Peter has healed a crippled man; he explains to the curious crowd that it is not he who has healed the man but the power of God through Jesus.

SECOND READING: 1 John 2: 1-5. From the same letter as last Sunday but earlier in it; the writer explains that we should try not to sin, but if we do Jesus has died for forgiveness of our sins.

Themes: as for last Sunday

Hymn suggestions: as for last Sunday

4th Sunday of Easter

GOSPEL: John 10: 11-18. This chapter of John uses various metaphors based on the shepherd/sheep relationship, this being a powerful one for a culture for whom sheep herding is an important economic activity. Sheep couldn't be fenced off in a paddock as in NZ; grass growth was too sparse and it was too arid. Instead, shepherds followed their flock as they foraged. The role of the shepherd in watching over the sheep was thus a powerful image Jesus could tap into, with a wealth of meaning to the people of his time. Here, in homage to the Easter season, we read the section where Jesus talks of the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.

FIRST READING: Acts 4:8-12.Follows from the same event that is referred to in last Sunday's reading. In this section of Acts we see how the early Christians came to see Jesus as the source of all redemption - in Peter's words "there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

SECOND READING: 1 John 3:1-2. Still from John's first letter explaining some matters of basic Christian belief. Here, he describes how Christians became children of God.

Themes: Christ the Good Shepherd; the resurrection

Hymn suggestions: My shepherd Lord; The Lord's my shepherd (any setting); Come to me all who labour; any Easter hymns as above; My Lord he died for a kingdom; Now the green blade rises. Note that the psalm is NOT 'The Lord is my shepherd' but psalm 118 - Give thanks to the Lord for he is good/the stone which the builder rejected' (referred to in our first reading)

5th Sunday of Easter

GOSPEL: John 15: 1-8. "I am the vine and you the branches." John 15 is part of the 'farewell discourse' at the Last Supper. This chapter includes the well known "a man can have no greater love than to give his life for his friends", although that verse is not included in this Sunday's reading.

FIRST READING: Acts 9: 26-31. Somewhat further on in Acts; after the conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus, he returns to Jerusalem. As a former persecutor of Christians he is received with a little caution, as this reading describes. Paul became the great 'Apostle to the Gentiles', a story we begin to pick up next Sunday.

SECOND READING: 1 John 3:18-24. Continuing the teachings in this letter; here, followers are urged to believe in the 'name of Jesus' and to follow him through practical love.

Themes: Jesus, the true vine; love one another

Hymn suggestions: Easter hymns; Love is his word; And they'll know we are christian by our love; Marian (May)

6th Sunday of Easter

GOSPEL: John 15: 9-17. "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love." Follows from last Sunday - see my previous commentary. Again, love is the theme.

FIRST READING: Acts 10: 25-26; 34-35; 44-48. We continue to follow the story of the growing Church in the period after the Resurrection. Here, we hear how the gift of the Spirit was extended to the Gentiles (non-Jewish), the beginnings of the growth of the Church among 'all nations'.

SECOND READING: 1 John 4: 7-10. A discourse on love; picks up the theme from our Gospel today.

Themes: Love one another

Hymn suggestions: as for last Sunday. Possible Gospel Acclamation - A new commandment.

6th Sunday of Easter

GOSPEL: John 15: 9-17. "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love." Follows from last Sunday - see my previous commentary. Again, love is the theme.

FIRST READING: Acts 10: 25-26; 34-35; 44-48. We continue to follow the story of the growing Church in the period after the Resurrection. Here, we hear how the gift of the Spirit was extended to the Gentiles (non-Jewish), the beginnings of the growth of the Church among 'all nations'.

SECOND READING: 1 John 4: 7-10. A discourse on love; picks up the theme from our Gospel today.

Themes: Love one another

Hymn suggestions: as for last Sunday. Possible Gospel Acclamation - A new commandment. A suitable Marian hymn to mark Mother's day would be appropriate, perhaps at the end.

Ascension of the Lord

GOSPEL: Mark 16: 15--20: In this short passage, the last in Mark's Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples to go out and preach the Good News to all nations (this is sometimes called the "Great Commission'). Jesus tells them of the signs that will accompany this, and Mark then simply says that he is taken up into heaven.

FIRST READING: Acts 1: 1-11. The account of the Ascension is only found in Acts; in his Gospel, Luke mereley says that Jesus blessed them and was carried up to heaven. Note in particular the last part – the disciples are basically told to get on with it rather than stand around looking into the sky. With what? With the instructions Jesus gave in today’s Gospel. Luke and tradition give forty days after the resurrection as the date for the Ascension; this is a Thursday (as Ash Wednedsday is forty days before; people liked to ascribe mystical meanings to such numbers in ancient times). In recent times the Church has transferred the actual celebration of the event to the following Sunday.

SECOND READING: Ephesians 1: 17-23: After our long reading of John, this letter (attributed to Paul) is a different sort of discourse, aimed at a particular community rather than the Church at large. Its opening passage includes this prayer, which makes direct reference to the ‘ascended’ Christ in whom all authority had been vested.

Themes: Christ’s glory, authority and kingship; spreading the Good News

Hymn suggestions: Go tell everyone; Go now you are sent forth; Here I am, Lord; Praise my soul the king of heaven; Crown him with many crowns; Marian hymns for May could be used but shouldn't detract from the focus of the Sunday.

Pentecost Sunday

GOSPEL: John 20: 19-23: This reading is repeated from the Second Sunday of Easter. It has a different focus from the account of the Pentecost we have in the first reading. This incident takes place the evening after Jesus' appearance to Mary Magdalene. Jesus appears to the disciples in a locked room, and gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit. His words empowering the apostles with the authority to forgive or retain sins symbolize the next phase of the coming of his kingdom. Jesus would no longer be with the disciples in the flesh, but they would carry on his mission (recall that several of Jesus miraculous cures were accompanied by the message that the person cured had their sins forgiven). The directive to continue his mission implicit in what Jesus said to the disciples marks the next phase. Although Luke places the Ascension (celebrated last Sunday) 40 days after the resurrection, many scholars think this is symbolic (a mirror of the 40 days of Lent) and that the Ascension and this gift of the Holy Spirit took place on the same day as the resurrection.

FIRST READING: Acts 2: 1-11. Luke’s account, in Acts, of the coming of the Holy Spirit. He places the day for it on the Jewish feast of Pentecost (the name means ‘fiftieth’; 50 days after the Passover, which coincided with the events of the Passion.). The eleven had already received the gift of the holy spirit – as we hear in today’s Gospel; this is a later manifestation of the Spirit in public, and is regarded as the birthday of the Church.

SECOND READING: 1 Cor. 12:2-7; 12,13: This comes from the most powerful section of Paul’s writing, on the gifts of the Spirit and on love. Here, he emphasizes that the same spirit gives all the gifts so evident among the early converts to Christianity. He uses this to emphasize their unity; he was probably aware of the potential for division brought about by the fact that so many different peoples were among the converts and sought to prevent such divisions.

Themes: God’s gift of the Spirit, unity

Hymn suggestions: Baptized in water; Come Holy Ghost; Spirit of the living God (could use as response with psalm tone), Deep in the Spirit; Gift of peace; Holy Spirit, living in me; holy Spirit, Lord of light; Holy Spirit, you are welcome; I say Yes; Lord, send out your Spirit; O breathe on me; Send us your Spirit; Spirit, come, transform us; Spirit of God in the clear running water; Marian (see note above). Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, give thanks, with verse: "Come Holy Spirit, fall on us. Fill all our hearts with the fire of love." This fits the tune we usually use.

Trinity Sunday

Gospel: Matthew 28: 16-20. Right at the end of Matthew's Gospel, this is Matthew's version of the sequence we heard a fortnight ago on Ascension Sunday. Jesus tells the disciples to go out and make disciples of 'all nations' in the "name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit". This version specifically makes Trinitarian reference, hence is chose for today.

First reading: Deuteronomy 4: 32-34, 39-40. Deuteronomy details three 'sermons' Moses gives to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. This passage talks of God as Lord of the Universe, and is chosen for today for that reason.

Second reading: Romans 8: 14-17. Paul tells his readers that we should call God 'Abba - Father' because the Spirit moves us to do so. Again, this reinforces the Trinitarian theme.

Themes: God, three Persons in one God

Hymn suggestions: Father, in my life I see (Trinity song): God, Father, praise and glory; Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty; Holy Father, God of might; Father, draw us deeper; How great thou art

Body and Blood of Christ

GOSPEL: Mark 14:12-16; 22-26. Mark's account of the last Passover meal Jesus had with the disciples, the institution of the Eucharist.

FIRST READING: Exodus 24:3-8. Moses seals the covenant with the blood of a sacrifice after giving them the Law.

SECOND READING: Hebrews 9: 11-15. The writer explains how the blood sacrifices of the Temple have been replaced by Jesus' own blood in the sacrifice of the Passion. This is written for Jewish converts who felt uncomfortable not following the forms of Temple worship of the old order.

Themes: Eucharist, body and blood of Christ, unity in the sacrament, the presence of Christ in form of bread and wine

Hymn suggestions: One bread, one body; I am the bread of life; Soul of my saviour; We are companions on a journey; Love is his word; Sing my tongue acclaim Christ present;

Sundays of Ordinary Time

2nd Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: John 1: 35-42. John (the Baptist) sees Jesus and tells two of his disciples 'Behold the Lamb of God'; these disciples then follow Jesus. One of them, Andrew, goes and tells his brother Simon that they have found the Messiah. Simon also leaves to follow Jesus. When they meet, Jesus tells Simon that his name is now Cephas (the were probably speaking Aramaic, and this was a Hebrew borrow-word which was translated into the written Greek of the Gospels as Petros, which is where our name Peter comes from. There may have been a pun or joke involved in the name, based on the Greek cephalos meaning 'head'). These first followers of Jesus would become the core of the Apostles.

FIRST READING: 1 Samuel 3:3-10;-19. The young Samuel hears a voice in the night calling him, and initially thinks it is his master, the old prophet Eli. Eventually he realises it is the voice of Yahweh and answers 'Here I am, Lord'. This is the beginning of his vocation.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 6:13-15; 17-20. Paul's first letter to the people of Corinth addresses a range of spiritual concerns. One of these is 'moral' conduct in a port city with a diversity of religious belief and backgrounds. Both 'temple' and ordinary prostitution existed in the city. Paul tells the Christian converts that participation in either of these activities 'offend the body' and therefore the whole body of Christ.

Themes: call to follow Christ, or more broadly to follow God's call.

Hymn suggestions: Here I am, Lord; Go tell ev'ryone; Galilee Song (So I leave my boats behind); God gives his people strength; I say yes My Lord; I found a treasure; In faith and hope and love; Lord of the Dance; We are companions on a journey

3rd Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Mark 1: 14-20. Mark's version of the call of the early Apostles; we heard John's version last week. Simon's re-naming as Peter occurs later in Mark's Gospel.

FIRST READING: Jonah 3: 1-5; 10. The book of Jonah is a story, not an actual historical account. In it, the author tells of a fictional prophet, Jonah, who is called to bring God's message to the city of Nineveh (this city is described as being improbably large - bigger than Auckland in a world where the biggest cities were the size of towns today; Jonah uses storytelling devices such as hyperbole and irony to make his point). Jonah tries in various ways to escape this duty. The story tries to address various ideas of the post-exile Jews that the author wished to argue against, such as the notion that Yahweh was God of the Jewish people only or that he was confined to a particular place. This short reading omits the various literary aspects of the book and merely tells of Jonah's call, thus picking up our theme for the Gospel, with Jesus call to the disciples.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 7: 29-31. A little further on in the letter from last Sunday. Paul's message here is not to be too wrapped up in the things of this world.

Themes: as for last Sunday (call to follow)

Hymn suggestions: similar to last Sunday. Could also use general praise/thanks hymns e.g. O God thy people gather at the start.

4th Sunday of Ordinary time

GOSPEL: Mark 1: 21-28. Mark's Gospel begins with the preaching of John the Baptist (which we read at the start of Advent), then a very brief account of Jesus' baptism (which we mark on the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, which doesn't always fall on a Sunday) and the forty days and temptations in the desert (which we read at the beginning of Lent). It then describes the call of the first disciples (last Sunday's reading) then goes on to this story, which is the beginning of the Galilean ministry. This is the account of his first teaching in the Synagogue and his first miracle - the casting out of an evil spirit (which today we would perhaps think of as the curing of mental illness, in line with Jesus' many other miracles of healing).

FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 18:15-20. This section of Deuteronomy describes the role of a prophet in the forthcoming settled society (the prophecy itself happens at the between the escape from Egypt and the founding of the Jewish kingdoms). We read it today because of its relevance to the way Jesus is recognised in the Synagogue for his great wisdom. A prophet is one who speaks for God.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35. This continues directly from last Sunday's second reading. Paul is answering questions from the people of Corinth about how they should prepare for the expected coming of the Kingdom. It carries a similar message - not to be too wrapped up in the things of this world. However, he also does not want people to become obsessed with this.

Themes: God's words through Jesus

Hymn suggestions: O God thy people gather; Lift up your hearts; I found a treasure; Be not afraid; Now thank we all our God; Praise to the Lord the almighty; Praise my soul the King of heaven; In faith and hope and love; Beatitudes (any setting); Seek O seek the Lord

5th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Mark 1: 29-39. Continues directly from last Sunday; the Galilean ministry. Jesus continues to preach and heal. The first reading today would hopefully draw our attention to the fact that Jesus ministry was to the poor, sick and lowly rather than to the (comparitively wealthy) members of the Jewish religious estabilshment. Since Jesus led by example, we are also enjoined to alleviate the suffering of the less fortunate in society.

FIRST READING: Job 7:1-4; 6-7. The book of Job is a story intended to illustrate a moral point. At the time it was written, there was quite a widespread notion that those who suffered ill fortune were being punished by God (which also allowed the rich establishment to justify their position, sincie it was so obviously a reward for their Godly conduct). The author of Job counters this with a tale of a just man with a good life who loses all as a result of a 'bet' between Satan and God. Readers at the time would have easily picked up the irony in this and recognised the other storytelling devices; sadly, some today do not and there are churches which still preach that God's rewards and punishments can be seen in this life.

The short section of Job we read today is part of one of the dialogues between Job and those who came to visit him, who were trying to persuade Job that his change in fortune must have ben the result of some sin. Today's Gospel clearly illustrates that Jesus did not believe that those suffering illnes or misfortune were sinners who deserved their fate.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19; 22-23. We jump a bit ahead in this letter now. Possibly this section was chosen for today because of Paul's assertion that he is not 'rewarded' for preaching the Gospel.

Themes: God's will; minister to the lowly

Hymn suggestions: We find you Lord in others need; Christ be alive; Though the mountains may fall; Be not afraid; Love is his word; Strong and constant

6th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Mark 1: 40-45. Jesus heals a man with a skin disease (probably leprosy, although this was a general term used for a range of skin or disfiguring diseases). Such people were considered unclean, and the general expectation would have been that Jesus would avoid such a person - certainly not touch him. The miracle of the man's curing is one of the signs of God's presence in Jesus that Mark emphasises in the Galilean ministry; equally important is Jesus rejection of the notion that some people should be considered outcasts in society. This was a message that would come up again and again - God's love and mercy was for all.

FIRST READING: Leviticus 13:1-2; 45-46. Leviticus details many of the rules and regulations that governed both religious and secular conduct in Jewish society. The most ancient of Jewish oral traditions would date from a time when a number of societies in what is now the Middle East were making a transition from nomadic pastoral or gatherer lifestyle to more extensive use of agriculture, villages and towns, trade and so on. In this time, people developed by painful experience rules and traditions that helped to overcome some of the new challenges posed by this way of living - particularly the increased likelihood of disease transmission and pestilence caused by more crowded living conditions and use of livestock. The laws detailed here are an example of such, but gained over time religious significance as well. This reading is chosen because of its relation to today's Gospel story.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 10: 31-11: 1. Continuing this section of Corinthians; Paul was concerned that converts maintained decorous conduct in a society of mixed religions and values.

Themes: Acceptance, God's power to heal and redeem

Hymn suggestions: Praise to the Lord; Amazing grace; Be thou my vision; Christ be our light; Come as you are; Gentle as silence; general praise hymns

7th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL Mark 2:1-12. At this point in Jesus ministry his reputation as a healer has grown to the point where people would come from far and wide to be cured of their illnesses. This story is another healing story, with the twist of the desperation and ingenuity of the paralytic's friends in lowering him through the roof to see Jesus. However, the main point is Jesus statement that the sick man's sins were forgiven. This seems a little at odds with other stories, in which Jesus seems at pains to dispel the commonly held notion that illness and misfortune were punishments sent by God on those who sin (or on their descendents). However, the message is not really that the man's suffering was caused by sin but that God is forgiving.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 43:18-19; 21-22; 24-25.The last part of this passage: "I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins" is obviously the reason for the choice of this reading for today, and perhaps gives a bit more understanding to today's Gospel story. The prophet writes at the time of the Babylonian exile, a message of consolation and hope at a time of suffering. Later in Isaiah is the message of the new, restored kingdom that is to come.

SECOND READING: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22. This small section of Paul's second letter is not in sequence with last Sunday's reading. Here, he seems to be replying to some gossip against him by other preachers whose message about Christianity was equivocal. Paul states that his own preaching is not at all equivocal and he does not apologise for this.

Themes: God forgives

Hymn suggestions: Come as you are; Gentle as Silence; Strong and constant; Day by day; Christ be beside me; God is love; general praise hymns

Note: the sequence of Ordinary Time is broken for Lent and Easter some time between the 4th and 8th Sunday, depending on the calendar year. The timing of Easter, and thus of Ash Wednesday, varies from year to year depending on the relationship between the March equinox and the full Moon; this is to tie in with the timing Hebrew Passover, which is based on the lunar calendar. Thus, the earliest possible date for Ash Wednesday is February 5th (placing Easter Sunday on March 22nd) and the latest date for Easter is April 25th. After Pentecost, the weeks of ordinary time resume. However, the Sundays of ordinary time for these weeks are replaced by Trinity and Corpus Christi, meaning that the Sunday readings of ordinary time do not resume until some time between the 8th and 14th Sunday, even though the weekday readings of ordinary time resume a couple of weeks earlier. I have not prepared Sundays 8-10 as they haven't cropped up in the last few cycles.

10th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Gospel: Mark 3: 20 -35. Jesus has just cured a blind and mute man by casting out a demon. Jesus goes home with his disciples, and there is such a crowd 'they could not even have a meal'. Jesus' relatives think he is out of his mind. A group of scribes from Jerusalem way that 'Beelzebul is in him' (Beelzebul was regarded as a "Prince of Demons"). Jesus counters with parables: How can Satan cast out Satan? A household divided against itself can never stand. He accuses his detractors of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit, for which he says there can be no forgiveness.

Jesus also asks rhetorically "Who are my mother and my brothers?" when his family asks for him; he goes on to say that anyone who does the will of God is his family.

First reading: Genesis 3: 9-15. This follows the account of the Fall - Adam and Eve eating of the forbidden fruit. Adam is now aware and ashamed of his nakedness. When God asks him hows came to be, he blames Eve - who in turn blames the serpent. God then curses the serpent (representing Satan). God's curse on Satan here is the basis for Jesus reply to the scribes in the Gospel.

Second reading: 2 Corinthians 4: 13 - 5: 1. This is part of a series where we miss the earlier readings because of our transtion back to the Sundays of Ordinary Time. Paul is telling the people of Corinth that despite the troubles of this life, God will raise us up as he raised Jesus.

Themes: Jesus is Lord and God

Hymn suggestions: Christ be our light; Christ be beside me; Be not afraid; Be thou my vision; Come as you are; Gentle as silence; Gift of peace;

11th Sunday of ordinary time

Gospel: Mark 4: 26-34. The parable of the mustard seed; Jesus likens the kingdom of God to a seed which can grow. The smallest seed can become a mighty seed (a comparitive NZ analogy might be a pohutukawa seed, which is tiny enough to blow on the breeze). The kingdom Jesus is talking about is something that exists on earth in a community of right relationships and can begin with small things and actions.

First reading: Ezekiel 17: 22-24. God will take the shoot from the hightest tree and plant it on a high mountain, where it will become a great tree which will be a shelter for all kinds of creatures. Ezekiel lived at the time of the Babylonian exile and writes of the judgement on Jerusalem and Judah before prophesying the end of the exile. This is from the judgement section; Ezekiel uses various images of the way he nurtured the Chosen people, but allowed more powerful nations to punish them for their faithlessness. The image chosen today relates to the parable in our Gospel.

Second reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10. God will judge us for the things we do, good and bad.

Themes: the Kingdom of God.

Hymn suggestions: Seek ye first; You are salt for the earth; City of God; Seek O Seek; In faith and hope and love; general praise and thanksgiving hymns.

12th Sunday of ordinary time

Gospel: Mark 4: 35-41. Jesus and the disciples use a boat to get away because the crowd is so large. A storm comes up and Jesus calms it. This story is one of the 'miracle' stories in the early part of Mark which precede the rejection of Jesus in the Synagogue. It is intended to show the power of God evident in Jesus.

First reading: Job 3: 1, 8-11 Job is a 'story' intended to tell a point about the widely held but incorrect idea that good fortune is God's reward and ill fortune a punishment for some misdeed. In this short passage, God talks to Job from 'the tempest' and has power over the storm. This is told today to relate to the Gospel reading of the calming of the storm.

SECOND READING: 2 Corinthians 5: 14-17. The love of Christ overwhelms us; do not judge by the 'standards of the flesh'.

Hymn suggestions: How great thou art; The heavens are telling; Lift up your hearts; Our God reigns; Peace I give to you; Gift of peace; Sing to the mountains; Seek O seek the Lord;

‘Put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the water’ might be a suitable song depending on circumstances

13th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Mark 5: 21-43. A woman with a bleeding disorder manages to touch Jesus among the press of the crowd and is cured. Later, Jesus goes on to raise from the dead a little girl who has just died. Both these miracles occur early on in Jesus' ministry, in Galilee. The Jewish establishment, for the most part, did not regard Jesus as anything special. However, a few (like the woman and the synagogue ruler whose daughter was cured) had faith in him. This sets the scene for the events we will hear of next Sunday.

FIRST READING: Wisdom 1: 13-15; 2: 23-24. Wisdom was written by a Greek speaking Jew about a hundred years before the events of today's Gospel. This passage is probably chosen for today because of its statement that 'God does not delight in death', linking it to the miracle that Jesus performed in raising the little girl from the dead and ultimately showing that he had power over death.

SECOND READING: 2 Corinthians 8: 7; 9; 13-15. Paul was telling the people of the gifts they had been given by Jesus' sacrifice. This passage goes on to encourage the readers to be similarly generous to others.

Themes: Christ's power over death

Hymn suggestions: Seek ye first; Seek O seek; Ask the Father in my name; Gentle as silence; Blest are they; Come as you are; Hear O Lord; I found a treasure; Love is is word; Come to me all who labour; O Christ the

14th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Mark 6:1-6. Jesus starts to teach at the synagogue in Galilee. At first the locals are amazed, then take offence. Jesus is unperturbed – "A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country", a variation on the old adage that familiarity breeds contempt. This marks the beginning of the phase of Jesus’ ministry known as the ‘Journey to Jerusalem’. After Jesus is rejected at Galilee, he takes his message to the rest of the children of Israel. Ultimately, most of them will also reject him and the message will be taken on to the Gentiles.

FIRST READING: Ezekiel 2: 2-5.: As so often, the Gospel is foreshadowed in the first testament. Ezekiel, styled ‘Son of Man’ is sent to the children of Israel at a time when they were in exile, in Babylon. His message was that they had brought this upon themselves by their unfaithfulness to Yahweh, but, having suffered they could be restored. Ezekiel was the prophet among them, as Jesus was in later times.

SECOND READING: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10: Paul refers to a burden he suffers – we don’t know what it is, possibly an illness of some sort – which he has asked God to lift from him. He seems to be doing this to emphasise the sincerity of his preaching.

Themes: the call to spread the Word, faith in God, doing God’s will in face of obstacles

Hymn suggestions: In faith and hope and love; Go now you are sent forth; Father in my life I see; Here I am, Lord; Be not afraid; Though the mountains may fall

15th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Mark 6: 7-13. The sending out of the Twelve. We are at the beginning stage of the ‘Journey to Jerusalem’ story and this episode marks the start of the story of the rejection of Jesus’ message by the Jewish establishment.

FIRST READING: Amos 7:12-15. Amos call to go prophesy to Israel (which had become a separate kingdom from Judah); his message would be against the notion that God only wanted worship without the moral life that went with it. It echoes the sending out in today’s Gospel, and like today’s Gospel message was destined to be largely rejected.

SECOND READING: Ephesians 1: 3-14: A message from Paul, writing in Rome, to the community of Ephesus reminding them to continue to be true to the faith.

Themes: going out to spread the Good News; faith and trust in God

Hymn suggestions: Galilee Song; Here I am, Lord; Go now you are sent forth; Christ be our light; Gather your people; God gives his people strength; Prayer of St Francis; Send us Forth; The Beatitudes

16th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Mark 6: 30-34: Jesus tries to go away alone with the Twelve once they return from being sent out (last Sunday). However, the crowds follow in great numbers and Jesus has pity on them because they are ‘like sheep without a shepherd’, and began to teach them. Good teachers were lacking at the time, as the educated teachers were mostly in Jerusalem.

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 23:1-6: Jeremiah’s prophecy about the coming of a ‘shepherd’ referred to the leaders of his time and their neglect of God and their people. He contrasts that with a ‘new shepherd’, a descendent of David, whose would minister wisely and with justice. We can interpret that in terms of Jesus description of himself, as a shepherd, in today’s Gospel.

SECOND READING: Ephesians 2:13-18: Continuing our reading from Paul’s letter to the Christian community of Ephesus. Here, he reminds them that the coming of Christ broke down the old barriers between Jew and Gentile – they are now one family in Christ.

Themes: Christ, the Good Shepherd. Unity in Christ.

Hymn suggestions: Come to me all who labour; The Lord’s my shepherd (various settings of Ps 23); We are companions on a journey; Come as you are; Gentle as silence; Come to the water

17th Sunday of ordinary time

Gospel: John 6: 1-15. Mark's is the shortest of the three synoptic Gospels and the Church Fathers have inserted into this part of our liturgical cycle a break from Mark, where we read from John a sequence of readings about 'the bread of life'. This is the first (the next three Sundays continue this theme). Today, we hear the story of the feeding of the multitude with five loaves and two fishes. This sequence of readings is intended to foster our understanding of the Eucharist.

First reading: Kings 4: 42-44. The multiplication of the loaves and fishes is an echo of this story, where Elisha feeds a hundred men with apparently insufficient food. The miracle stories of the Gospels often echo those of Elijah and Elisha, and today's story is set in a sequence that includes the miraculous walking on water.

Second reading: Ephesians 4: 1-6. Continuing this letter, this section is a call to live in 'charity' - in the sense of caring love for one another.

Themes: Bread of life/Eucharist. Care for each other. Note that bread of life hymns will need to be used with some care as there are 4 Sundays in a row where they are relevant.

Hymn suggestions: Guide me O thou great redeemer; Christ be our light; We find you Lord in others need; Fill my house; I am the bread of life (might be better left for next Sunday); any hymns with a bread of life/eucharist theme

18th Sunday of ordinary time

Gospel: Jn 6: 24-35. Follows on from previous story of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes – the people follow Jesus, and he says to them that they are only doing so ‘because they had all the bread they wanted to eat’. Jesus goes on to say that this (earthly) bread will not last - they get hungry again. They should work for the food that brings eternal life. They ask him for a sign, as Moses brought manna in the desert. Jesus rebukes them - it was God, not Moses, that gave their ancestors bread from heaven. He then goes on to say that “I am the bread of life…”

This is the beginning of the Eucharistic discourse that continues in the next few Sundays. Like much of John, there are layers of meaning. Suffice to say here that one of the things Jesus is pointing out here is a call for a change of heart - from a focus on venial things, and on selfishness, to the things of God. The miracle of the loaves and fishes may have been of this sort - people having a change of heart so that they shared rather than keeping food only for themselves, and when this happens there is more than enough for all. Remember that all the kingdom prophecies aren't just about the kingdom after death, but about a Kingdom of God which is present among us in right relationships - with each other, with Jesus.

First reading: Exodus 16: 2-4, 12-15. The story of the bringing of manna in the desert, referred to in today's Gospel.

Second reading: Ephesians 4: 17, 20-24. Continuing this letter. Here, Paul exhorts the converts to change the way they live their lives - not to be corrupted by 'illusory desires'. In this respect it echoes the call for a change of heart from today's Gospel.

Themes: bread of life, Eucharist

Hymn suggestions: ; I am the bread of life (probably as entrance or final hymn); Gospel acclamation - No-one lives on bread alone; any other Eucharist songs e.g. One bread, one body; Bread that I break; Come to me Lord and live within me; In Bread We Bring You, Lord; Living Bread Come Down from Heaven; Love is His Word; Soul of my saviour;

19th Sundayof ordinary time

Gospel: Jn 6: 41-51. Continues the passage from last Sunday, with “No-one can come to me unless they are drawn by the Father…I am thie living bread come down from heaven; anyone who eats this bread will live forever, and the bread that I shall give is my flesh for the light of the world."

This is more directly Eucharistic in tone than last Sunday's section. In particular, this focuses very much on Jesus himself as the source of life. Put in the context - this is considerably earlier in the Gospel than the Last Supper - Jesus is offering new hope to the 'abandoned sheep' of the reading some Sundays ago. He is offering himself as the new shepherd to give them hope again, when their leaders were spiritually bankrupt. He would nourish them, as the manna nourished their ancestors in the desert when they thought God had abandoned them. However, the nourishment he was giving (spiritual hope) would last forever. Later would come the gift of Euchatist.

First reading: Kings 19: 4-8. Elijah, after having ordered the death of the priests of Baal, flees into the desert to escape those sent by Queen Jezebel to kill him (Jezebel was the pagan wife of King Ahab, who gave royal patronage to the priests of the god Baal and had the priests of Yahweh slaughtered). Elijah has had enough, and wishes for death. However, the Lord sends an angel with bread and water for him. This 'bread from heaven' is able to sustain him on a journey of 'forty days and forty nights' (the number is symbolic, by analogy with the forty years in the desert of the Exodus) to Mt Horeb, where Elijah encounters God in the 'still small voice' and is ordered to go and anoint the new kings for Syria and Israel. The relation to today's Gospel is in the notion of the 'bread from heaven' which can strengthen us to do God's work.

Second reading: Ephesians 4:30 - 5:2. This section of the letter deals with Christian conduct in terms of relationships within a community.

Themes: Bread from heaven; strength to do God's will

Hymn suggestions: see last Sunday. Try not to duplicate too much.

20th Sunday of ordinary time

Gospel: Jn 6: 51-58: A direct continuation from the previous Sunday’s Gospel - the first verse today and the last verse last Sunday are the same. Jesus goes on to say that 'the bread that I give is my flesh for the life of the world'. There is then a discourse on 'eating of the flesh of the Son of Man' and drinking of His blood. This is even more directly Eucharistic and only starts to make sense in terms of the later events of the Last Supper and the Passion. In reading this, one has to remember that this Gospel was written a couple of generations after the event - the institution of Eucharist was well understood by Christians at that time and John may have left out things that would be 'obvious' to them (though not obvious to those hearing this discourse in Jesus' time).

FIRST READING: Proverbs 9:1-6: Although traditionally attributed to King Solomon, the proverbs (wise sayings) collected in this book are from a variety of sources, many of them post-Exile. Today's reading is chosen because of the last phrase:"Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave simpleness, and live, and walk in the way of insight." This links to today's Eucharistic theme.

SECOND READING: Ephesians 5: 15-20. As last Sunday's excerpt from this letter dealt with relationships within a community, this deals more with individual conduct.

Themes: bread of life, Eucharist

Hymn suggestions: ; I am the bread of life (probably as entrance or final hymn); Gospel acclamation - No-one lives on bread alone; any other Eucharist songs e.g. One bread, one body; Bread that I break; Come to me Lord and live within me; In Bread We Bring You, Lord; Living Bread Come Down from Heaven; Love is His Word; Soul of my saviour;

21st Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: John 6: 60-69. Last Sunday we heard some people questioning what Jesus said. Today, we hear how some disciples left Jesus after this - Jesus justifies this by referring to his own words that "no-one can come to me unless the Father calls them". Faith is not easy - it is a gift from God and can be rejected (some non-Catholic theologians use this passage to justify their teaching that it is pre-destined who is to be saved and who is not - an opinion rejected by the Catholic Church).

FIRST READING: Joshua 24: 1-2; 15-18. Joshua calls the leaders of the tribes of Israel and asks them whether they will accept the God of their ancestors or choose another god. They accept Yahweh. There is a parallel with the comittment Jesus asks for today.

SECOND READING: Ephesians 5: 21-32. This section deals with conduct in home life, as last week's dealt with personal conduct.

Themes: faithfulness to God, commitment

Hymn suggestions: Christ be our light; Come as you are; Galilee song; God gives his people strength; I say Yes; If God is for us; You'll never walk alone; general praise hymns or Eucharist hymns also suitable

22nd Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Mark 7: 1-8; 14-15; 21-23. We left Mark's Gospel for John at the point where Mark tells the story of the feeding of the multitude, using John's instead (to follow on with the Eucharistic discourse). We now return to Mark in the next chapter. Tension had already been building between Jesus and the 'teachers of the Law' - the Pharisees. Now, some of them challenge Jesus because some of his disciples don't follow their interpretation of Deuteronomical law on washing (it was the interpretation - "tradition", rather than the actual law, that was not being followed). Jesus rounds on the Pharisees, condemning them for their hypocrisy and their abuse of the Law of God to oppress others. He goes on to list the things that defile, knowing full well that these sins were being committed by some behind a facade of piety. This sows the seeds of enmity that will ultimately lead to the events of the Passion.

FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 6-8: The Pharisees cite tradition for their criticism of Jesus' followers; Jesus in turn cites Deuteronomy - literally 'second legislation'. Today's reading states: "You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it; that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you." It was the addition to the law, justified by tradition, that the Pharisees were using in today's Gospel.

SECOND READING: James 1: 17-18; 21-22; 27. We move to a new epistle, this one traditionally ascribed to 'James the Less', which early Christians associated with the James described in the Gospel as the 'brother' of Jesus. It seems to be a collection of short sermons, this excerpt exhorting the new Christians to live true to the true Law (picking up the theme of today's other readings).

Themes: God's Law is wisdom and truth, doing as God wills

Hymn suggestions: Love is his word; You are salt for the earth O people; Be not afraid; Blest are they; Come to me all who labour;

General hymns of praise and thanksgiving also suitable

23rd Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Mark 7:31-37: Jesus heals a deaf and dumb man, astonishing the people. At first sight, this appears to be just a story of a healing miracle. However, it takes place in the district of Decapolis which is pagan rather than Jewish, which may have been particularly significant for Mark's Gentile readers. The acknowledgement of Jesus by the crowd then takes on a new significance, coming as it does from Gentiles. At one level this Gospel story can be read as a story of Jesus' healing power, the ability of God to bring hearing to the deaf and speech to the dumb (remember Jesus' mission statement in the synagogue after the trial in the desert the prophecy of Isaiah). At another level, in the context of the emerging conflict with religious authority seen in last week's Gospel, this is the beginning of the revelation of power and the bringing of salvation beyond the Chosen People.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 35: 4-7: The bringing of sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and so on were the blessings of the messianic age referred to several times in Isaiah. and Jesus read such a passage in the synagogue at the beginning of his ministry.

SECOND READING: James 2: 1-5: Continuing our reading from this epistle. Here, James emphasizes that earthly wealth or social prestige are not important in the kingdom of God.

Themes: God's grace given to us, our ears opened and our mouths to speak

Hymn suggestions: Go tell ev'ryone; The spirit of the Lord is upon me; Christ be our light; Gift of peace; God gives his people strength; I say yes; Lift up your hearts; Only a shadow; Though the mountains may fall

24th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Mark 8: 27-35: Jesus asks his disciples - "who do people say that I am?". Thiis is the well known passage occurs in all threene Synoptic Gospels, but with a few differences. In all three Gospels, it is Simon Peter who acknowldges Jesus as the Christ (Messiah). In Matthew, this is followed by Jesus telling Simon that it was God who revealed this to him, and that he would become 'the rock on which I will build my Church'. In Mark's account, by contrast, after Jesus tells the disciples how he is destined to suffer and die, Peter takes him aside and rebukes him. Jesus, in turn, rebukes Peter with the words "Get behind me Satan...". By contrast with the acknowledgement of Jesus as the Christ, which came from God. Peter's notion that the suffering he foretold should not happen came 'from men'. Jesus suffering and death was part of God's plan.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 50 - 5-9: The second Isaiah describes the Messiah here as doing God's will. This picks up the Gospel theme the foretold suffering of the Messiah was God's plan.

SECOND READING: James 2:14-18: James here states that to be Christian must involve not only faith, but good works (this has been long a Catholic teaching, as opposed to some other churches which teach that faith alone is needed, or that salvation is predestined and nothing you do matters).

Themes: acknowledging Jesus as our Saviour, doing God's will, good works

Hymn suggestions: We find you Lord in others need I found a treasure; Lord Jesus Saviour; Amazing Grace; Be thou my vision; Crown him wth many crowns; Freely freely; Glory be to Jesus; In him we knew a fullness;

25th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Mark 9:30-37: There are two sections to today's reading, adjacent in Mark's Gospel but possibly not so close together in the sequence of events in this part of the journey to Jerusalem. The first part of the reading is a continuation of last Sunday's story, where Jesus talks about his inevitable suffering, death and resurrection, which the disciples do not understand at the time. The reading then goes on to relate an episode where Jesus asks the disciples what they were arguing about - which had been who among them was the greatest . Jesus relates that whoever wishes to be first must make himself last, and takes a small child and tells the disciples whoever welcomes one of these children welcomes me (this story appears in Luke also).

FIRST READING: Wisdom 2:12; 17-20. This passage describes how the 'godless' conspire to commit atrocities against the virtuous because they reproach them for their conduct. This book, written a few centuries before Christ and probably in Greek rather than Hebrew, was traditionally regarded as the 'wisdom of Solomon'. The Greek writing implies authorship by Hellenistic Jews, possibly in Alexandria where there were 'apostate' Jews who had rejected their religion. These were probably the 'godless' referred to. The writing is deliberatly reminescent of the suffering servant passages of Isaiah. This links to the first part of today's Gospel, where Jesus is talking of his destiny to suffer and die in the manner of the suffering servant.

SECOND READING: James 3:16-4:3: Continuing this series of sermons with some practical advice on Christian conduct.Disharmony and wickedness arise from jealosy and ambition. Christian conduct should be kind, humble and compassionate - then wars and fighting would not occur.

Themes: humility, service to others in kindness and compassion

Hymn suggestions: Where charity and love are; Seek o seek; Servant song; A new commandment; This is my commandment; Gentle as silence; Blest are they; Blessed are the poor in spirit; Humbly we adore thee; I say yes; Lord of morning light; Prayer of St Francis (any setting)

26th Sunday of ordinary time

Gospel: Mark 9: 38-43, 45, 47-8. The disciples complain because someone not of their number is casting out devils in Jesus' name. Jesus replies that they should not stop him - no-one who works a miracle in Jesus name would speak evil of him, anyone who is not against him is for him. He then goes on to say that anyone who places an obstacle to 'bring down one of these little ones who have faith' should be thrown in to the sea with a great millstone around their neck. If your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off and so on. This is a very strongly worded teaching of Jesus to avoid the things that bring one to sin; in particular he seems to condemn those who destroy the faith of others. Given the earlier reference to children as 'little ones', perhaps also a condemnation of child abuse.

First reading: Numbers 11: 25-29. The Book of Numbers is an account of part of the forty years wandering in the desert. Today's reading tells the story of how God came to Moses in a cloud and gave some of his spirit to the seventy leaders, who began to prophesy. However, two men who were not with Moses also began to prophesy and Joshua asks Moses to stop them. Moses answers by saying if only the whole people of the Lord were prophets. Many Gospel readings echo stories of Moses or Elijah, and the echo of this reading in today's Gospel is obvious.

Second reading: James 5: 1-6. A condemnation of the rich who gained their wealth by exploiting others - James tells them to start weeping for the misery that is to come to them. Possibly an echo of similar writings from the prophets, e.g. Amos chapter 8.

Themes: who is not against me is for me; avoid the things that tempt one to sin or destroy faith

Hymn suggestions: Ask the Father in my name; Be still and know; Celebrate; Christ be beside me; Come to the water; Day by day; Gather your people; Go tell ev'ryone; Here I am, Lord; Hear O Lord; Lift up your hearts; Only a shadow; The cry of the poor; We find you Lord in others need; We come to share our story

27th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Mark 10; 2-16. The Pharisees ask Jesus whether a man may divorce his wife, hoping to trap him into contradicting the Law of Moses so they can condemn him. Jesus answers that that law was given 'because you were unteachable'; what God has united, man must not divide. He goes on to give more detail about this. The Gospel then relates a further incident where the disciples turn away people bringing children for Jesus to bless; Jesus rebukes them saying that it is to 'such as these' that the kingdom of God belongs.

The teaching on divorce remains difficult for many Christians, as it clearly was also the case for the Chosen People in the day of Moses. We need to be aware of the different context in the time of the Law of Moses; men could divorce women but not the other way around, and some would regard the status of women at the time as being little short of property. This injustice may have been part of what Jesus' teaching was about, as he emphasised the earlier idea of a union between man and woman from Genesis. Our Church retains this teaching of Jesus, but all of us know of situations where that causes huge pain.

Perhaps we need to think in terms of the second part of today's reading. Children often have a very innocent acceptance of what comes their way and a simple understanding of justice and fairness; could Jesus be telling us this is something we need to be able to do? We certainly should never lose sight of the need for justice and reconciliation.

FIRST READING: Genesis 2:18-24. The passage to which Jesus refers in today's Gospel. This part of the Book of Genesis is known as the "Eden narrative"; it follows the "Creation week" narrative that describes the six days of creation (with the creation of Man taking place on the sixth day). We read the Creation week narrative at Easter Vigil. We read this excerpt from the second narrative today because of the reference to it in the Gospel.

SECOND READING: Hebrews 2:9-11. We leave James this Sunday for a new epistle. It is written by an unknown author (though sometimes attributed to Paul) to a group of probably Jewish Christians. Its purpose seems to be to persuade them that non-Jewish followers of Jesus do not have to become Jews to fully share in God's promises to the Chosen People, whilst at the same time pointing out that the Law and the Covenant have not been wiped away by Jesus. This section, near the beginning of the letter, points out that although (by becoming human) Jesus had been made 'lower than the angels' he had been raised to the ultimate glory and through that achieved our salvation. Later sections of this letter that we will read will go on to introduce Jesus as 'high priest'.

Themes: covenant, marriage, the kingdom of God

Hymn suggestions: Blessed are the poor in spirit; Blest are they; Come as you are; Come back to me; The heavens are telling; Comfort ye my people; All creatures of our God and King; When creation was begun

28th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Mark 10: 17-30. A wealthy and pious man asks Jesus what he must do to inherit the Kingdom; he already observes the Law. Jesus tells him the only other thing he can do is sell all his posessions, give the money to the poor and follow him. The man is downcast, but Jesus reminds his followers that all things are possible for God. This reading is a reminder that over-attachment to worldly things - wealth, status, power, possessions - is a huge obstacle to entering the Kingdom of heaven. How important is it that you have the coolest cellphone? We must keep things in perspective. The truly important things are those that are of the Kingdom - charity (in the sense of caring love), justice, love of God.

FIRST READING: Wisdom 7:7-11. The gift of Wisdom, given from God, is more valuable than gold or jewels or anything of this earth. Once again, a reminder to keep things in perspective and remember what is important.

SECOND READING: Hebrews 4:12-13. Continuing this letter; here, the writer tells his readers that nothing is hidden from God. In view of today's two other readings, that would include the excuses we make for self-indulgence.

Themes: love of spiritual things over material; God's love and power

Hymn suggestions: Though the mountains may fall; Be not afraid; Galilee Song; Come as you are; We find you Lord in others need; Amazing Grace; How great Thou Art.

29th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Mark 10: 35-45. James and John ask Jesus to let them sit, one on the left and one on the right, 'in his glory'. At this time, they were probably thiinking in terms of a secular victory and this was a form of flattery as well as self-aggrandizement. Jesus, knowing what his kingdom really means and what he is to suffer, responds by asking them if they would suffer as he will. They answer 'yes', and Jesus prophesies that they will indeed do so (James and John were both martyred), but that the places at his right and left were God's to give. This gentle reprimand was part of the preparation Jesus was making for his disciples to come to the point where they would accept - and understand - his suffering and death.

Jesus' response when the other disciples get angry with James and John foreshadows the washing of the feet. James and John truly had the wrong idea that those who lead would laud it over the others - Jesus used this occasion to remind them that the first among them must be the servant of all.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 53: 10-11. Part of the 'suffering servant' passages of the second Isaiah; chosen here to relate to the (continuing) theme in our Gospel of the inevitable suffering and death of Jesus. In Isaiah, the 'servant' is the one who suffers on behalf of the humanity for our sins. A fuller version of this passage is set down to be read on Good Friday; its words resonate with the events of that day:

"we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By a perversion of justice he was taken away. Who could have imagined his future? For he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people. They made his grave with the wicked and his tomb with the rich, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth."

SECOND READING: Hebrews 4:14-16. For an introduction to Hebrews, see above, Here, the writer introduces the notion of Jesus as the 'great High Priest in heaven', who, through his humanity shared with us, can sympathise with our weaknesses.

Themes: humility, service

Hymn suggestions: Servant Song; The Lord Jesus; Humbly we adore thee; Christ be our light; Galilee Song; Glory be to Jesus; Hail Redeemer; How great Thou art; I say yes; Love is his word; We remember how you loved us

30th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Mark 10: 46-52. The healing of Bartimaeus, a blind beggar. This is the last miracle of healing in Mark's Gospel, on the 'Journey to Jerusalem'. Bartimaeus greets Jesus as 'Son of David', foreshadowing the greeting Jesus will get on the triumphant entry to Jerusalem (and here, too, there is a 'great crowd'). Jesus says to Bartimaeus that "your faith has made you well.", indicating that Bartimaeus' acknowledgement of and faith in Jesus as 'Son of David', with all that implies, was not misplaced.

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 31:7-9. The prophet here is speaking to a remnant of the Chosen People, exiles whose nation had been overrun by pagans after generations of turning away from their God. He promises that God has not abandoned them and that they will return to a country he describes with various idyllic imagary. That this blessing would extend to "the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her who is in travail" probably relates this to today's Gospel. Jesus healing of Bartimaeus is a symbol of the salvation for us all.

SECOND READING: Hebrews 5:1-6. The writer here continues to explain the notion of Jesus as High Priest. He relates it to the function of the Aaronic priesthood that would have been well understood by this letter's presumed readership.

Themes: Salvation, Jesus as healer, Priest and King

Hymn suggestions: All the ends of the earth; Crown him with many crowns; Lift up your hearts; Christ be beside me; Come as you are; I found a treasure; Strong and constant; The heavens are telling; Though the mountains may fall; What a friend we have in Jesus

31st Sunday of ordinary time

Gospel: Mark 12 28-34. We jump a bit ahead in Mark's Gospel now; betweem the healing of Bartimeaus from last Sunday and today's reading we have the account of the triumphant entry to Jerusalem and the scourging of the Temple, both of which are read on other occasions in our liturgical cycle. Today's Gospel reading begins in a context where, once again, the religious establishment is trying to trick or trap Jesus into heresy. Jesus had just anwered a question from some Sadducees, who were skeptical of the resurrection and were using an obscure interpretation of the Law to attempt to make a mockery of any teaching of life after death (this section of the Law was supposed to ensure that widows were not left without support - an indication that love of neighbour is a basis for these laws). A teacher of the Law goes on to ask Jesus: What is the greatest commandment? Jesus answers with that core of his teaching: to love God and love your neighbour. Once again, the establishment was unable to fault his answer; Jesus' previous answer to the Sadducees had cut to the purpose of the Law rather than its detail. Jesus had shown his detractors for what they were, but praised the man who had asked him this question because of the way that he was obviously in sympathy for what Jesus said. This sets the scene for what we hear next week, where Jesus denounces those who had been trying to trap him.

First reading: Deuteronomy 6: 2-6. Deuteronomy means 'second legislation'. This passage is the one from which Jesus quotes when he gives the 'greatest commandment'; he adds the second part about loving your neighbour on the understanding that it is the basis for the various conduct laws.

Second reading: Hebrews 7: 23-28. Continuing this letter. The writer explains that there used to be a great number of priests because death put an end to each one of them. Jesus is the one High Priest forever because he has overcome death. The writer then goes on to explain that former high priests had to offer sacrifice for their own sin, but Jesus is sinless so his sacrifice of himself is for once and for all - not for himself but for humankind.

Themes: Commandment of love; Jesus as High Priest

Hymn suggestions: Lord open pathways (the commandment of love); Love is his word; A new commandment, Gentle as silence; And they'll know we are christian by our love; Love divine all loves excelling; We find you Lord in others need; Lord make me an instrument of peace; Love one another

32nd Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Mark 12: 38-44. Jesus tells his listeners to beware those who make a great show of their piety and seek out the admiration of others through their clothes and ostentatious behaviour (I wonder if "Bishop" Brian Tamaki ever preaches about this). He draws attention to a poor woman who puts small offering in the temple treasury; he tells his listeners that her offering is the greater because it is all she can afford rather than what was offered by the rich - a little from what they can spare, given for appearances.

FIRST READING: 1 Kings 17:10-16. The story of a miracle attributed to Elijah. The prophet asks a poor widow for food and drink. She is gathering a few sticks, so she may prepare the little flour and oil she has for her and her son "to eat and die". However, she shares what she has with Elijah and her flour and oil became sufficient to sustain them until the famine had ended. As in today's Gospel, it is the poor who are often more willing to share what they have with those in need than the rich who so often have gained their wealth through selfishness. This is probably not a popular sentiment with the bankers who managed to bring about economic chaos recenly with greedy and exploitative practices, but is a social message common to both the prophets of old and Jesus.

SECOND READING: Hebrews 9: 24-28. Continuing this letter with its description of Christ as High Priest. Today's reading refers to the Day of Atonement. Once a year, the High Priest of the temple would enter the sanctuary and sprinkle the blood of the sacrifices on the Ark of the Covenant, as an atonement for his own and the peoples sins for the previous year. The author here states that Christ only had to offer sacrifice once, not every year, as the blood of the sacrifice was his own and atoned for all mankind for all time. Christ's sanctuary is heaven itself.

Themes: humility, generosity; giving all for God

Hymn suggestions: Come as you are; the Beatitudes (any setting); Be not afraid; Prayer of St Francis (any setting); Gentle as silence; Christ be our light; Be thou my vision; Christ be beside me; We find you Lord in others need; Here I am Lord;

33rd Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Mark 13:24-32. Jesus tells his disciples about the signs that will accompany the end of all things, but follows with a warning that nobody but the Father knows when this will be. This can be interpreted both in terms of eschatology, and in terms of personal preparedness - death, or a sudden change in circumstances, often comes unannounced. Are you ready? We are approaching the end of the Church year, and our readings focus on last things. We in turn should focus on the simple things - being at rights with God and with those around us.

FIRST READING: Daniel 12:1-3. Rather like Revelations, which we read recently on All Saints, Daniel is not easy to interpret. The imagery of today's reading is obviously related to today's Gospel, but in terms of the author's intentions it is perhaps not as we would read it. Michael is the patron angel of the Chosen People; the message is one of encouragement to them at a time of oppression and apparent hopelessness (in the Babylonian exile) written with the conventions of apocalyptic literature.

SECOND READING: Hebrews 10: 11-14, 18. Continuing this letter and its explication of Christ's priesthood.

Themes: be ready, last things, God will be faithful

Hymn suggestions: Be not afraid; Come to me all who labour; Lord of all hopefulness; Abide with me; Amazing Grace; Gift of peace; I say yes; In faith and hope and love; Love is his word; Though the mountains may fall

Last Sunday of ordinary time: Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King

Gospel: John 18: 33-37. Pilate questioning Jesus - are you a king? Jesus replies that he is a King, but his kingdom is not of this world. This is part of John's passion that we read on Good Friday. The religious leaders had brought Jesus to Pilate because only he could administer the most humiliating punishment of crucifixion. The leaders had charged Jesus with inciting the people to revolt by claiming to be the king foretold in Daniel (the Messiah, or in Greek, the Christos - the Christ).

First reading: Daniel 7: 13-14. Daniel's vision of the coming of a great king on the clouds of heaven. This passage is part of the dream visions Daniel had at night which were each given an explanation the next day. The vision here represents a kingdom coming from God to overcome this adversity. See above for a commentary on Daniel.

Second reading: Revelations 1: 5-8. At the beginnng of this rather enigmatic work, the author describes Jesus as 'Ruler of the kings of earth'.

Themes: Jesus as King and Lord

Hymn suggestions: any songs about Jesus as King or Lord e.g Praise my soul the king of heaven; Crown him with many crowns; Hail redeemer; He is Lord.

Special feast days:

1st November: All Saints

GOSPEL: Matthew 5:1-12. The Beatitudes. On All Saints, we remember the countless 'unknown saints' - those whose lives mirror the values and attitudes Jesus lists here. Another old term for saint was 'blessed' - as we call those who are being considered for canonisation. Today we ask those everyday saints, who have lived their lives true to Jesus teachings and are have gone before us to be 'blessed' in heaven, to pray for us on our own journey to sainthood.

FIRST READING: Revelation 7: 2-4; 9-14. This passage describes the 'great multitude' who were 'washed in the blood of the Lamb' i.e had suffered for their faith and were true to it. There are many different interpretations of John of Patmos work in Revelations; Catholic theology tends to interpret it in terms of the Paschal mysteries and the Eucharist. This passage today is chosen because of the heavenly vision of the saints, significant on this feast. The style of writing is termed apocalyptic literature.

SECOND READING: 1st Letter of John 3:1-3. This short passage speaks of the faithful as the 'children of God'. It is traditionally regarded as having the same author as Revelation but this is not undisputed by theologians. There is more concord that it was written by the author of the fourth Gospel. The letter addresses a heresy that Jesus did not come in the flesh, but in the spirit only.This particular passage reassures the faithful that if we live according to Jesus' teachings - as did the saints - we will see him in heaven.

Themes: faithfulness for God, thanks for the lives of those true to that faith

Hymn suggestions: For all the saints; Blest are they; Blessed are the poor in spirit; Be not afraid; Strong and constant;Christ be beside me; Come to me all who labour; Galilee Song; Here I am, Lord.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 50: 4-7