Year C

Year C: The Year of Luke

Luke's is the longest Synoptic Gospel, and as he sets out in his introduction (which we read on the 3rd Sunday of ordinary time), he writes to give an account of the 'events' of Jesus life to his reader (whom he addresses as "Theophilus"). Our readings for ordinary time begin with a four-Sunday description of the beginning of Jesus ministry, then follow the Galilean ministry up to Peter's confession of faith. The cycle then follows the 'travel narrative', the journey to Jerusalem which Luke sees in terms of a journey for the Church and the individual Christian rather than a geographical or chronological one. The last few Sundays, not always read when Sundays 32 and 33 don't fall into the liturgical cycle, cover the ministry in Jerusalem. For Christ the King, we read the account of the 'penitent thief', who asks Jesus to remember him when he comes into his kingdom - a poignant note on which to end the liturgical year.

Season of Advent

1st Sunday of Advent

Gospel: Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36. Luke's equivalent of the reading from 33rd Sunday of Year B (Mark 13: 24-32) - Jesus warns the disciples of tribulations to come. Luke's account gives more detail on some of the perils that accompany this; for instance, he warns against being coarsened by drunkenness and debauchery. As mentioned in the comments on Mark, this can be interpreted at both a personal and eschatological level.

First reading: Jeremiah 33: 14-16. Jeremiah is one of the great prophets of the Old Testament, who was called to explain the coming disaster (the Babylonian exile) as a consequence of the idolatrous practices of the people of Judah and Jerusalem. However, after the tribulations Jeremiah prophesies the coming of a 'virtuous Branch for David' (the kings of the time were neither virtuous nor of David's line). We read it today because of the link to Jesus as a descendant of David.

Second reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:12 - 4:2. Paul had founded a church largely of Gentiles in Thessalonica. He had not spent a lot of time there, and was concerned about possible misinterpretations of his teachings. This letter is to encourage them to strive towards the virtues he preached. This section comes just before a discourse addressing particular issues reported on by Timothy, who had visited the community prior to Paul's writing of this letter. However, we don't pursue this letter further at this time in our cycle and its place this Sunday seems to be because of its general tone in terms of Christian conduct as we await Christ's coming.

Themes: be prepared

Hymn suggestions: City of God; O come Emmanuel; In Babylon town; O Child of promise come; Servant song; any Advent songs

2nd Sunday of Advent

GOSPEL: Luke 3:1-6. The account of the beginning of John the Baptist's ministry. Luke had previously described his birth and the visit to his mother by Mary, Jesus' mother. All the stuff about "fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar" is Luke's equivalent of giving an exact date; there wasn't a common calendar then so he referred to various important personages who his readers might know of; this also placed it in context, particularly as he was writing for a later generation when the political makeup of Palestine had greatly changed as a result of the Zealot uprising. The quotation from Isaiah is part of a string of prophecy Luke uses to make it clear to his readers that Jesus was the culmination of the prophecies of old.

This instance marks the beginning of Christ's public ministry. We pick up Christ's actual baptism from this sequence on the Sunday after Epiphany.

FIRST READING: Baruch 5: 1-9. Baruch was secretary and friend to Jeremiah (see above). This book was probably not written by him, but fleshes out some of the teachings of both these prophetic figures. As mentioned above for Jeremiah, the historical context is the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian King Nabuchadnezzar and exile of the citizens and residents of Judah as prisoners to Babylon. This reading is a poem of hope and encouragement - the present disaster will not last, "God will lead Israel with joy, in the light of his glory, with the mercy and righteousness that come from him". This refers to much more than just the end of the Babylonian exile, and we read it today because the glory that is alluded to is interpreted by the Church as the coming of a new salvation in Christ.

SECOND READING: Philippians 1: 4-6; 8-11. Philippi was a city in Macedonia, the first in Europe to be evangalised by Paul and one he retained in his affection, particularly because they continued to provide financial support to him in time of great need. Here, Paul tells them how thankful he is for the faith of the Christians of Philippi and how they live it out; it is a source of strength for him in his present situation (he writes from prison). He encourages them to further develop this. The virtues Paul here praises are those we should strive for in our Advent preparation.

Themes: Prepare the way of the Lord, personal preparation

Hymn suggestions: Prepare the way (Godspell); O come Emmanuel; City of God; Advent songs as above; Though the mountains may fall; Here I am Lord

3rd Sunday of Advent

GOSPEL: Luke 3: 10-18. Continuing from last Sunday; the preaching of John the Baptist. This account stresses the way that it was the 'people' - including tax collectors and soldiers - rather than the high and mighty who came to John. His message was simple: repent, and do what is right.

FIRST READING: Zephaniah 3:14-18. Zepheniah writes at a time a bit earlier than Jeremiah, when many of the teachings of Moses have been forgotten or corrupted and paganism is rife. The prophet chastises the people for this, foretelling great misfortune. However, he ends with a message of hope, that a new salvation would be sent to Jerusalem. This is part of the prophetic sequence the Church has chosen for the season to illustrate the coming of the 'new Jerusalem' with Jesus.

SECOND READING: Philippians 4: 4-7. Continuing from last Sunday; this section is a prayer of praise.

Themes: Rejoice in the Lord. salvation is at hand

Hymn suggestions: Sing a new song unto the Lord; All the ends of the Earth; Come ring out your joy; Enter, rejoice and come in; How great thou art; Lift up your hearts to the Lord; Magnificat (any setting); Sing to the mountains; any Advent hymns

4th Sunday of Advent

GOSPEL: Luke 1: 39-45. The visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. It is from this section of Luke's Gospel we take the words of the prayer to Our Lady: "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb" . We don't read Mary's reply this Sunday, but her words are another great prayer of the Church: the Magnificat. In our preparation for the coming of the infant Jesus, we focus today on Mary. Her selfless act in visiting her pregnant cousin when pregnant herself is a reminder to us all that discipleship is to be found in service to others.

FIRST READING: Michah 5: 1-4. Micah is a minor prophet of the 8th century BC. We read this today because it prophesies the coming of the Messiah from Bethlehem, as is told in Luke's Gospel.

SECOND READING: Hebrews 10: 5-10. For more on the purpose of Hebrews see the archived notes 27th Sunday of ordinary time in Year B. This section explains that the sacrifice of Christ on the cross replaces the sacrifices in the Temple. We read it today to remind us that Christ's incarnation, which we celebrate at Christmas, is a sign of God's infinite love.

Themes: Mary, mother of God; preparation for Christ's coming

Hymn suggestions: A noble flow'r of Judah; Marian hymns; Let all mortal flesh keep silence; Advent hymns; Magnificat (any setting), The Angel Gabriel from heaven came

Season of Christmas

Sunday in the week Christmas: The Holy Family

Gospel: Luke2: 41-52. The finding of Jesus in the Temple. This story is one of the few about Jesus' childhood. It is set twelve years after the infancy narratives. Luke emphasises that, even as a child, Jesus had a special awareness of God's presence. Luke tells how his mother 'stored up all these things in her heart' - we, in the Church, are very aware of Mary's role as Jesus' first disciple.

First reading: Samuel 1: 20-22, 24-28. The Books of Samuel and Kings tell the story of the coming of kings to the Chosen People - first Saul, then David. This excerpt comes from the beginning of the book, and picks up after the birth of Samuel. His mother, Hannah, is childless but makes a vow to Yahweh that if she has a son, he will be dedicated to Him. This is where she presents the child Samuel to Eli, the last of the 'judges', to accept him on behalf of God. Gospel stories often echo the stories of the Old Testament; Samuel is dedicated in the Temple and today's Gospel makes it very clear that Jesus is also very much at home in the Temple.

Second reading: 1 John 3: 1-2, 21-24. The first part of this reading is the same as the one we read on All Saints and speaks of the faithful as the 'children of God'. The letters of John are traditionally regarded as having the same author as Revelation. The letter addresses a heresy that Jesus did not come in the flesh, but in the spirit only. From the initial passage about our being 'children of God', this reading goes on to say that those who keep the commandments of believing in Jesus as Son of God, and loving one another, live in God and God lives in them.

Themes: Jesus as Word made Flesh, God Incarnate

Hymn suggestions: Christmas carols. Note that carols referring to the wise men or the star should be left for Epiphany.

Note - Gospel acclamation could be "Gloria in excelsis Deo" from Angels we have heard; Eucharistic acclamation could be "O come let us adore him" from O come all ye faithful.

Sunday on or before 6th January: The Epiphany

Gospel: Matthew 2: 1-12. We read from Matthew's Gospel because, of the canonical Gospels, it is the only one that tells the story of the visit of the 'wise men' to the infant Jesus.

First reading: Isaiah 60:1-6. The first part of Isaiah largely tell of the coming suffering in the Babylonian exile. The latter part - this reading is towards the end of the book - comforts the Chosen People with a message of hope, and prophesy a future glory for Zion. This part tells how the glory of God will shine on Jerusalem; nations will pay tribute including gold and incense. The gifts of the magi in today's Gospel echo this prophecy.

Second reading: Ephesians 3: 2-3, 5-6. The promise first made to the Chosen People is now made to all through Christ Jesus; all shall share in his inheritance.

Themes: the revelation of Jesus as Lord and saviour (epiphany)

Hymn suggestions: Specific carols for this day include "We three Kings" and "The first nowell". Given the length of both these carols, possibly W3K verses 1,2,3 could be sung at the beginning and verses 1,5,6 at the end of Mass. The first nowell could be sung as a communion reflection.

Gospel and Eucharistic acclamations as for Holy Family.

Season of Lent

First Sunday of Lent

GOSPEL: Luke 4:1-13. The trials in the desert, in Luke’s account. The forty days (symbolic of the forty years of the Exodus) are the basis of our forty days of Lent. Jesus temptations can be regarded as signs of Jesus humanity – like us, he suffers hunger and thirst. The various things he was offered could also be regarded as symbolic of the different ways he could have ‘easily’ fulfilled the prophecies about him – through armies of angels, or making everyone believe by amazing miracles. There was a hope among the powerful in Jesus society that the Messiah would be one who would throw off the yoke of the Roman oppressor, and perhaps thereby elevate them back into their ‘rightful place’. Instead, Jesus chose a much more difficult path, one that would lead to his suffering and death. The promised kingdom was one present in right relationships – those of justice and mercy. This was not the kingdom the socially powerful wanted.

FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 26:4-10. This passage describes how Moses gave the people of the Exodus the ritual for the harvest thanksgiving when they reached the Promised Land. He reminds them how grateful they should be for what the Lord did for them in rescuing them from Egypt. There are several links with today’s Gospel. Firstly there is the symbolic link between the forty years of the Exodus and the forty days in the desert. Secondly, Jesus response to the temptation to worship Satan is possibly based on the last phrase in this reading.

SECOND READING: Romans 10: 8-13. This letter is written to a community that included non-Jews. Paul was saddened by the fact that Israel, as a nation, had rejected Jesus even if individual Jews had accepted him. Here, he emphasises that there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, or different peoples – only faith is now needed for salvation.

Themes: turning back to the Lord

Hymn suggestions: Hear O Lord; The glory of these forty days; Seek ye first; Comfort ye my people;

Note Gospel acclamation: (same tune as usual Lent Gospel acclamation)

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

verse: No-one lives on bread alone but on ev'ry word that proceeds from the mouth of God, Glory to our God. Praise to you...

Second Sunday of Lent

GOSPEL: Luke 9:28-36. On the second Sunday of Lent we always read the account of the Transfiguration from the Gospel of that year. At this stage in the Gospel story, the disciples are gaining some notion of the terrible things that are going to happen to Jesus. The Transfiguration makes it plain to them that, despite their own doubts, Jesus acts with God’s power and according to God’s plan.

FIRST READING: Genesis 15: 5-12; 17-18. God’s promise to Abram, later to become Abraham. Abram’s faith in God led him to become the ‘father to a great nation’ – both Jews and Muslims consider themselves Abraham’s descendants. The link with today’s Gospel seems to be in the signs of God’s presence and power.

SECOND READING: Philippians 3:17; 4: 1. Some in the community to whom Paul here writes found their new faith too difficult, or too much in conflict with their belief in the Old Law, and became ‘enemies of the cross of Christ’. Paul urges the faithful to imitate him as he imitates Christ.

Themes: God’s glory revealed in Christ, God’s faithfulness to His people

Hymn suggestions: How great Thou art; Christ be our light; Be thou my vision; I found a treasure;

Note Gospel acclamation: (same tune as usual Lent Gospel acclamation)

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

verse: From within the shining cloud, hear the voice of God: "This is my beloved Son: Listen to his word". Praise to you...

3rd Sunday of Lent

GOSPEL: Luke 13:1-9. This evidently refers to an event that happened elsewhere during Jesus’ ministry. Some Galileans were killed by the governor, Pilate, while they were offering sacrifice in the temple. We do not know the reason for Pilate’s actions, but we know from other historical sources that he ruthlessly suppressed any disturbance or signs of rebellion.

Jesus seems to be responding to some implication that those killed had brought their own misfortune upon themselves, possibly for some sin. The belief that misfortune resulted from one’s own or sins or those of one’s ancestors was common in Jesus time and Jesus was at pains on several occasions to repudiate this (it is a belief which still has some traction among certain “Christian” groups, such as Destiny Church; they tend to extend it to a belief that wealth and status are God’s reward to the devout and pious – hence million dollar houses and Harley Davisons).

Bad things happen. We don’t know why – but consider: if God created a ‘cotton wool’ creation where nothing bad could ever happen, could we really be free to do good? We should never condemn those who suffer misfortune, or consider they deserve it. Rather, our mission is to try to ease suffering when it happens.

FIRST READING: Exodus 3:14; 13-15. God’s revelation and call to Moses. Evil had happened to them – they had gone to Egypt generations ago (the story of Joseph and the many-coloured coat) to escape a famine, and had gradually been taken into slavery. God was to save them from this, and Moses was the one to lead them from Egypt.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 10: 1-6; 10-12. Paul reminds his readers of the miracles by which God sustained his people in the wilderness, and yet those same people were not satisfied with what they got. He tells the people of Corinth not to complain about things that happen and not to be over-confident in their own worthiness.

Themes: Don’t be complacent – turn back to God

Hymn suggestions: Hear O Lord; any Lenten hymns; Come back to me; Come as you are; God gives his people strength; Be not afraid

4th Sunday of Lent

GOSPEL: Luke 15: 1-3; 11-32. The Pharisees complain that Jesus associated with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus responds with the parable of the Prodigal Son/Loving Father. The implication is that it is the sinners who need God’s love more than those who are already right with God.

FIRST READING: Joshua 5:9-12. Joshua was the successor to Moses who led the people into the Promised Land. Once there, they built a memorial of twelve stones in a circle (Gilgal means circle). Up until this time they had been sustained with ‘manna’, but from this time on they would live off the bounty of the land.

SECOND READING: 2 Corinthians 5: 17-21. Paul is explaining here that Christ’s death and resurrection bring about a ‘new creation’ in which we are reconciled to God.

Themes: God’s love calls us back to him and reconciles us to him.

Hymn suggestions: Amazing Grace; Blest are they; Come to me all who labour; Gentle as silence; Come back to me; Guide me o thou great redeemer; Love is his word; The Lord is my shepherd (any setting)

5th Sunday of Lent

GOSPEL: John 8: 1-11: The scribes and Pharisees bring a woman to Jesus apparently caught in the act of adultery (which should take two, but her accusers don't seem too worried about the other offender). This is similar to other stories, particularly in Matthew, about attempts to 'trick' Jesus into going against the Law of Moses. Like the story where Jesus enemies try to get him to say 'don't pay your taxes', Jesus has a reply which both accords with the Law and exposes the hypocrisy of his enemies (the fact that this is more similar to such stories than to much of John's Gospel has led some scholars to suggest that this text was possibly originally in Luke or another synoptic Gospel, and somehow transcribed into John). The saying "let he who is without sin cast the first stone" comes from this section. There are many lessons to be learned from this (as so often with such stories), but the simple and obvious one that we are all sinners and should at least think twice before condemning the sins of others is certainly not one we should ignore in this season of Lent.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 43:16-21. Isaiah reminds the people, at a time of great difficulty for them, how the Lord rescued their ancestors - the drowning of their Egyptian pursuers, providing water in the desert and so on. This is part of a message of hope for them. The reading is chosen for this Sunday because we are preparing for our own 'rescue' at Easter.

SECOND READING: Philippians 3: 8-14. There is an introduction to Philippians at the second Sunday of Advent (here). Paul is telling his readers that although he led a virtuous life as a Jew before his conversion, it was as nothing compared to what he has since he accepted Christ Jesus as Lord.

Themes: God's mercy is for all - we shouldn't think we are better than others

Hymn suggestions: Hear O Lord; Come to me all who labour; Come as you are; Love is his word; Be not afraid; We find you Lord in others need; Servant Song

Passion Sunday

Reading outside: Luke 19: 28-40. The account of Jesus entry to Jerusalem, with crowds crying blessings on him.

This is followed by the procession. A suitable processional hymn should be sung e.g. All glory laud and honour; Hosanna to the King of David; The King of glory comes;

Once inside

FIRST READING: Isaiah 50: 4-7. Part of the 'suffering servant' readings: the suffering servant willingly accepts the abuse of those who torment him. Chosen for its link the story of the Passion we read today (passionem is Latin for 'suffering').

SECOND READING: Philippians 2:6-11. Continuing from this letter - the passage about "Christ became obedient for us..."

Gospel Acclamation: use "Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory. Christ became obedient, even unto death. Therefore God has raised Him up, named above all others. Praise to you..." Same tune as we have used all Lent.

GOSPEL: Luke 22:14-23:56. The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. Luke's account is essentially the same as the other Gospels. We will read it using readers for the different parts - narrator, Jesus etc.

Themes: Jesus' suffering and death

Hymn suggestions: no entrance hymn (processional hymn instead). Communion and recessional suggestions: Glory be to Jesus; O Sacred Head; Were you there; When I behold the wondrous cross; My song is love unknown; Hail Redeemer King Diving; Crown him with many crowns; Soul of my Saviour

Season of Easter

Easter Sunday

GOSPEL: John 20:1-9. John’s account of the women finding the empty tomb. At the Vigil Mass we read the account for the current year – Luke in this case. In the morning Mass we read this one. The four accounts agree broadly but differ in detail.

FIRST READING: Acts 10: 34; 37-43. Peter is speaking in the home of Cornelius, a Roman officer who converted to Christianity. Peter is explaining the resurrection story as he had come to understand it at this time, some years later.

SECOND READING: Colossians 3:1-4. We have died with Christ and rise with him.

Themes: the Resurrection

Hymn suggestions: any Easter/Resurrection hymns

Second Sunday of Easter

GOSPEL: John 20:19-31. At this time we read various accounts of appearances of Jesus after his rising. This is the story of two of these. On the Sunday evening the disciples (except Thomas) are together and Jesus appears to them. When they tell Thomas, he doesn’t believe them. However, the next Sunday (of which today is the anniversary) Jesus appears again with Thomas present. He now believers; Jesus says how blessed are they who haven’t seen but still believe. This would have taken on more meaning at the time of writing of this Gospel, as by then those who had first-hand experience of Jesus would have been reaching the end of their life and a new generation needed to take up the mission – something we can still appreciate today.

FIRST READING: Acts 5: 12-16. At this time we start to read the story of the early Church. This is an account of the period shortly after Jesus death when belief was centred around the disciples. However, there were many ‘signs and wonders’ which brought others into the fold.

SECOND READING: Revelation 1: 9-13; 17-19. Somewhat later in the story of the early Church it was undergoing persecution. John– reputed to be the same John who wrote today’s Gospel – writes a book of hope and comfort for these persecuted people. He uses a style of writing called ‘apocalyptic’, common among Jewish writers at the time (Daniel is written in a similar way). He makes much use of symbols, and writes of last things (eschatology). This section is taken from the very beginning of the book, where John describes why he is to write it, using the symbols that his readers would have found familiar. Unfortunately, the writing style is difficult for us to interpret and Revelations is one of the most abused books of the Bible in terms of being used by self-appointed ‘prophets’ to predict the end of days. Jesus himself says that no-one knows the hour.

Themes: resurrection, faith

Hymn suggestions: any Easter hymns

3rd Sunday of Easter

GOSPEL: John 21: 1-19. We read various stories about appearances of Jesus in this Season. This one, to the fishermen, focuses on Simon (who was to become Peter). Jesus asks him three times 'do you love me' - each time Peter answers 'yes'. We might wonder at the redunancy of this, but the triple repetition has significane in Middle Eastern cultures for establishing a binding word (for example, in modern Islam a man can divorce his wife by saying three times 'I divorce you'). There may also be a link with Peter's three denials during Jesus trial. This story is a late addition to John's Gospel. Possibly it is 'just another resurrection story', but it also emphasises the leadership role Peter was to play in the early Church, and which we in the Roman Catholic Church consider to be continued in unbroken line of the Bishop of Rome - the Pope.

FIRST READING: Acts 5: 27-32; 40-41. We continue our story of the early Church. The events told in today's reading happen shortly after the Apostles are miraculously released from prison by an angel and return to preaching outside the Temple. This particular passage may have been chosen for today because it is Peter who speaks up - to link to the Gospel.

SECOND READING: Revelation 5: 11-14. John's vision of a Lamb that was slain and is then worshipped. Remember that the lamb was the beast slaughtered in the Passover then eaten. John uses this image of the 'Lamb of God' fot Christ; it is also a reference to the 'lamb led to the slaughter' in Isaiah's 'Suffering Servant' passages. This is where our prayer to the 'Lamb of God' comes from - the Agnus Dei.

Themes: Resurrection, the mission of Peter

Hymn suggestions: Galilee Song (So I leave my boats behind); Here I am Lord; Be not afraid; Easter/resurrection hymns e.g. Christ is alive; Bring all ye dear brought nations bring; Thine be the glory; My Lord he died for a kingdom; I am the resurrection; By your kingly pow'r O risen Lord; Christ the Lord is risen today;

4th Sunday of Easter

GOSPEL: John 10: 27-30. This is part of a discourse in John where Jesus refers to himself as the Good Shepherd. The notion of the 'shepherd King' was not unknown in Middle Eastern cultures of the time, and David had been a shepherd. However, the Kings of Israel had not, for the most part, had their peoples' interest at heart. Jesus paints himself in a very different way.

FIRST READING: Acts 13:14; 43-52: After his conversion, Paul tried to convert many of his fellow Jews to follow Christ. Some did, but the Jewish Authorities (in this text, just termed 'the Jews') were alarmed by this and tried to restrict Paul's teaching. Seeing himself unable to make progress, Paul became the 'Apostle to the gentiles'. This is part of our developing story of the early Church.

SECOND READING: Revelation 7:9; 14-17. Continuing John's visions; this one chosen for this 'Good Shepherd' Sunday because of its mention "For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd" - Revelations uses the Lamb as a symbol for Christ.

Themes: Christ the Good Shepherd, the shepherds of our flock (our bishops and priests)

Hymn suggestions: The Lord's my shepherd (any setting); any Easter/resurrection hymns; Here I am, Lord.

.

5th Sunday of Easter

GOSPEL: John 13:31-35. A bit of a retrospective at this point in our story. This takes place at the Last Supper. Jesus has indicated who is to betray him; now he gives the 'commandment of love' before showing his own willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice for love.

FIRST READING: Acts 14: 21-27. Our reading of Acts covers part of the unfolding story of the growth of the Church. Today's excerpt describes part of the first 'missionary journey' of Paul and his companions.

SECOND READING: Revelation: 21: 1-5. A vision of the end of time - fulfiliment.

Themes: The commandment of love - the new kingdom is one of love

Hymn suggestions: Lord hear our pleading; A new commandment; Servant song; Love is his word; Easter songs

6th Sunday of Easter

GOSPEL: John 14: 23-29. Further on from last Sunday in the same discourse from Jesus. Here, he tells the disciples that he is going away but they should not be sad because he is going to the Father. He adds that a new Counselor, the Holy Spirit, will come (foreshadowing the coming Pentecost).

FIRST READING: Acts 15:1-2; 22-29. There was considerable division in the early Church about the extent to which the Jewish Law and the sign of the covenant (circumcision) should apply to Gentile converts. This passage records how the first ‘Council’ of the Church resolved the problem, setting the scene for the Church through time with its various Councils (though, sadly, not all such disagreements were resolved and the Church eventually split).

SECOND READING: Revelation 21: 10-14; 22-23. Continuing this vision of John’s of heaven; here, the new Jerusalem.

Themes: God is always with us; God’s promise to us

Hymn suggestions: Easter hymns, general praise hymns; similar to last Sunday

The Ascension

GOSPEL: Luke 24: 46-53. One of Luke's accounts of Jesus' appearences after his rising. Here, he just says that Jesus 'left them'. Luke gives fuller account of the Ascension in Acts.

FIRST READING: Acts 1: 1-11. Luke's account of Jesus being taken up into heaven. There is an implication that this happens forty days after the resurrection but it is not explicitly said. We should always remember that an important part of this reading is the message to the men of Galilee - don't stand around looking at the sky, get on and do what Jesus did.

SECOND READING: Ephesians 1: 17-23. This section of Ephesians is a prayer, for God to give wisdom as they become the Church, Christ's body on earth.

Themes: our mission, the Church

Hymn suggestions: hymns to Christ the King, hymns about mission on earth (Here I am, Lord etc.); Marian for May

Pentecost

GOSPEL: John 20:19-23. This takes place immediately after the resurrection; Jesus breathes on the disciples (spirit was another word for breath) and gives them their authority. This foreshadows the more public events at the Pentecost.

FIRST READING: Acts 2: 1-11. The account of the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. In Judaism this was the feast of Shavuot, which celebrated the giving of the Torah to the Israelites at Mt Sinai. The Greek-speaking Jews came to call this day 'Pentecost' , meaning 'fifty' as it occurred on the fiftieth day after Passover (seven weeks is 49 days, and this happened on the day after that). At that time, there was a tradition for Jews, who were able, to travel to Jerusalem to celebrate this feast at the Temple. The gift of tongues on this day symbolises the way the new Church was to become one of all nations.

SECOND READING: 1 Cor. 12:2-7; 12-13. Paul needed to address some issues with the people of Corinth, particularly when some people thought that certain manifestations of God's power had more value than others. Here, he emphasises that all these powers are gifts of the Spirit and not for the glorification of the individual. This is part of a longer passage where Paul makes it plain that all the different 'gifts' are to be used together for the greater good, and that none is superior to the other.

Themes: Holy Spirit

Hymn suggestions: Come Holy Ghost; O breathe on me; Holy Spirit, Lord of light; Spirit of the living God; Spirit of God in the clear running water; God's spirit is in my heart;

Trinity Sunday

GOSPEL: John 16:12-15. Part of the discourse at the Last Supper, where Jesus promises the coming of 'the Advocate' - the Holy Spirit. This section tells us about the essential unity of Jesus with the Father, and how the Holy Spirit proceeds from them - the unity we formalise in the doctrine of the Trinity which we celebrate today.

FIRST READING Proverbs 8: 22-31. The "I" of this reading is not the writer, but the Spirit of Wisdom personified. It tells us that this Spirit is distinct from God the Father. The opening of John's Gospel speaks of the Word of God in a similar way, and tells us that the Word became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. Thus this reading further deepens our understanding of the Three Persons present in the One God.

SECOND READING: Romans 5:1-5. Our Second Reading today gives another perspective on the Trinity, that preached by Paul in the early Church. Thus our readings today give three different perspectives on this mystery at different times in the Church's story.

Themes: the Trinity

Hymn suggestions: Trinitarian, e.g. God Father, praise and glory; Holy Holy (the hymn, not the one of the mass); Holy Father, God of might; Father in my life I see

Ordinary time

Sunday after Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord (First Sunday of Ordinary Time)

Gospel: Luke 3: 15-16, 21-22. Luke's account of Jesus' baptism. The Holy Spirit descends on Jesus in the form of a dove, and God's voice comes from heaven. This marks the beginning of Jesus ministry, and the 'handing over' from John to Jesus.

First Reading: Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11. This is the beginning of the "Book of Comfort" part of Isaiah. After all the foretelling of suffering, Isaiah tells of the coming of Messiah who will reveal the glory of God. This passage includes the reference to the 'voice in the wilderness' telling to prepare the way for the Lord, which we interpret as a reference to John the Baptist. The passage finishes with a reference to the promised one 'like a shepherd feeding his flock'; we hear Jesus refer to himself as the Good Shepherd in the gospels.

Second Reading: Titus 2: 11-14, 3: 4-7. Titus was a companion of Paul and Barnabus who became the leader of the Christian community in Crete. This letter, written by Paul or in the Pauline tradition, explains how salvation came from Jesus through the water of rebirth - linking to the rebirth of baptism we celebrate today.

Themes: Baptism, rebirth.

Hymn suggestions: Baptised in water; Come to the water; Come to me Lord, Spirit of God in the clear running water; Here I am, Lord; Come as you are; Come to me all who labour;

2nd Sunday in ordinary time

Gospel: John 2: 1-11. The miracle of the changing of water into wine at the wedding at Cana. This story occurs only in John's Gospel and is one of the seven 'signs' John uses to signify the divine status of Jesus and around which he structures his Gospel. It seems to be set in a time before Jesus formal ministry, and the miracle happens at the request of Mary. Jesus tells his mother "my hour is not yet come", but she just tells the servants to "do whatever he tells you" - she has complete faith in him. As we begin our 'ordinary time', we hear stories of the beginning of Jesus work. Can we, like his mother, put complete trust in Jesus?

First reading: Isaiah 62: 1-5. Like our reading from last Sunday, this comes from the 'comfort' section of the second Isaiah. The prophet says that Jerusalem will no longer be 'the Abandoned' (the earlier section of Isaiah is about the tribulations of Zion in slavery in Babylon) but will be called 'the Wedded...as the bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so will your God rejoice in you'. The choice of this reading is related to the wedding of today's Gospel. A wedding is a celebration, and Jesus was willing to use his divine power to ensure that a celebration was not spoiled. We should not forget the importance of celebration, and that God celebrates with us.

Second reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11. There are many gifts, but they all come from God. In keeping with the other two readings of the day, then, we should celebrate and share our gifts.

Themes: Celebration, the gifts of God

Hymn suggestions: Celebrate; Christ be our light (particularly the verse 'Many the gifts...); Gift of peace; Christ be beside me; Lift us your hearts; All the ends of the earth; Gift of peace;

3rd Sunday in ordinary time

Gospel: Luke 1: 1-4, 4: 14-21. We start with the opening paragraphs of Luke's Gospel in which he explains what he intends to do in writing his account. We then jump to the accout of the events immediately after his baptism and trials in the desert. Jesus reads from scripture (Isaiah 61 v1). This could be regarded as his 'mission statement'; these events mark the start of his ministry. However, it leads to the first of the series of rejections and conflicts which lead to the events on Calvary.

First reading: Nehemiah 8: 2-6, 8-10.. Nehemiah was an attendant of King of Artaxerxes I of Persia, who granted him leave to attend to the rebuilding of Jerusalem following the Babylonian exile. It is not entirely clear whether the book is written by Nehemiah or Ezra. In this section, Ezra reads from the book of the Law in front of the people; they had lost touch with their religious heritage and this was part of their rediscovery of it. The link with today's Gospel seems to be in the reading of scripture in undertaking God's work.

Second reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 12-30. Follows on from last Sunday, where we read of many gifts. Today, Paul goes on to say that as the body is made of many parts, which work together for one purpose, so the people of the Church with their different gifts should work together, using their gifts for one purpose. Paul was partly addressing a problem that had arisen where some particular ministries - such as 'speaking in tongues' were seen as being of greater worth than others and people were setting themselves up as better than others. It is interesting that this issue (people 'speaking in tongues', perhaps not with much authenticity, is a problem still in some more charismatic Christian groups. The message to us should be to respect the different ministries and gifts we all have in our church community - not to value some above others.

Themes: ministry, in all its forms

Hymns suggestions: The spirit of the Lord is upon me; Go tell everyone; Here I am, Lord; Christ be our light; You are salt for the earth;

4th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Luke 4:21-30. This is the continuation from last Sunday; as mentioned, the reading from Isaiah sets out Jesus’ “mission statement”. His wisdom and evidently charismatic manner first bring praise, and some wonder how a mere carpenter’s son could have such grace. However, they had also heard of the miracles attributed to Jesus in Capernaum and wondered why he did not perform these wonders here in his hometown. Jesus responds by saying some very uncomfortable things. He repeats the well known saying for his own time that “no prophet is acceptable in his own country”, a generally accepted truism at the time with many precedents from scripture. Jesus points out stories from scripture where various prophets performed miracles for non-Jewish people after being rejected by the ancestors of his audience. The people of Nazareth are enraged, and set out to kill him. By some strange miracle, he is able to escape. There is an irony here – the people had asked for a miracle, but the one they got is not the one they wanted.

This episode marks the beginning of the ‘rejection’ phase of the Gospel story. Jesus makes a number of attempts to bring his vision of the Kingdom to his own people, but much of the establishment don’t want to hear because it is not the message they want. As the Gospel progresses, we will hear more of this rejection by the establishment and how Jesus brings his message instead to that society’s own rejects – the poor, the sick and the unfortunate (remember that many at this time thought misfortune was a sign of God’s disfavour or a punishment for sin), and eventually, through his followers, to ‘all nations’.

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 1: 4-5; 17-19. This is God’s call to the prophet Jeremiah, who was born some time around 600 BC. Jeremiah was prophet in a time of much upheaval, to a people who were (once again) drifting towards their pagan neighbours in custom and religion. Here, God tells Jeremiah that he was destined to be a prophet from his conception, both to his own people and the Gentiles. There is a symmetry with today’s Gospel, in that Jesus’ own rejection led eventually to the mission to all nations.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 12: 31; 13: 1-13. Continuing the sequence from this epistle, Paul’s message to the people of Corinth about the qualities of a Christian community. This is probably his most famous passage, where he describes the attributes of Christian love (in Greek, agápē – translated in the King James bible as ‘charity’ and meaning ‘loving-kindness’). In our Gospel sequence at the moment we are examining Jesus mission, which was to bring about the ‘Kingdom of God’. Although this can be seen as a kingdom in heaven, or after death, much of Jesus’ preaching seems to be directed at a more earthly kingdom: one of right relationships, characterised by love. This passage from Paul helps us understand in a more pragmatic sense the qualities of love in that kingdom.

Themes: mission, love

Hymn suggestions: Go tell everyone; A new commandment; Lord open pathways; Christ be our light; Lord make me an instrument of peace; The beatitudes; Love is his word; They'll know we are Christians by our love

5th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Luke 5: 1-11. Following on from the rejection by the Nazarenes we heard last Sunday, we now have the call of the first disciples. The statement that "now I will make you fishers of men" is very well known. Today, in a different society, we don't perhaps see this as quite so remarkable as it would have been in Jesus' day. Fishermen were common people - not educated or wealthy. Jesus first disciples were not drawn from the establishment which had rejected him (and would eventually crucify him) but from the common people.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 6: 1-8. Isaiah's vision of the Lord who called him to prophecy (part of this passage makes up the first verse of the Santus at Mass). The response - "Here I am - send me" is echoed several times in the stories of various prophets, e.g. Samuel. This reading is selected today for the parallel with the call of the fishermen in the Gospel.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11. A little further on in this epistle than last Sunday. As we hear of God's call in both other readings for today, Paul mentions his own call - called despite being "unfit to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God". He reminds his readers of the main tenets of their Christian faith.

Themes: call to follow Jesus

Hymn suggestons: Here I am, Lord; Go now you are sent forth; Galilee Song; I found a treasure; I say yes; Lord of the dance; Servant song;

6th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Luke 6:17; 20-26. Luke’s version of the Beatitudes has a contrasting set of ‘woes’ which describe qualities diametrically opposite to those of the ‘blessed’. Just as those who Jesus describes as the blessed are the have-nots of his society, those for whom he predicts woe are the fortunate. Jesus lived in a society where good fortune was seen as a sign of God’s blessing and misfortune as a sign of divine disfavour. He attacks this idea with ferocity on many occasions, this among them, and such teachings are part of the developing tension with the social establishment of his society that would eventually lead to Jesus rejection, suffering and death. Our readings in the last few Sundays have been illustrating the beginnings of this split. It is interesting that the notion that some elements in today’s society, particularly among such as the ‘televangilist’ so-called Christians which are well known in the US (and their NZ imitators) seem to miss this message of Jesus. They, too, consider health and wealth to be a sign of God’s favour (and therefore due to those who adhere to their very narrow moral and biblical views). It is a trap we should avoid.

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 17:5-8. Jeremiah prophesied the fate of the people of Judah because of their turning away from God’s law (they would eventually be exiled to a pagan country). Here, he uses poetic allusions to contrast those whose roots are in faith in God to those who trust only in human solutions. This is similar to the contrast Jesus makes in today’s Gospel reading.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:12; 16-20. Paul, in this letter, addressed certain specific difficulties that had been reported back to him about the Christian community he had founded in Corinth. Here, he addresses a point of division (influenced by Greek philosophy) among the community about the nature of the resurrection.

Themes: the things that belong to God’s Kingdom

Hymn suggestions: Blessed are the poor in spirit; Blest are they; Seek ye first; Be not afraid; We find you Lord in others need; Gift of peace; Lord make me an instrument of peace.

7th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Gospel: Luke 6:27-38. Continuing Luke's version of the Sermon on the Mount - love your enemies. Jesus says that if we only love those in our 'good books', no virtue is attached. We should love all and only hope, not expect, a return of that love. Be compassionate as the Father is compassionate. This is part of Jesus' introduction to his 'kingdom', Those who belong to the kingdom are those who show the virtues described here and in the reading from last Sunday - the meek, the humble, the poor; those who give and don't ask for recompense, those who forgive and those who do not judge. Above all, those who love without reservation. This is often counter to our human instincts, and it is little wonder that many who call themselves Christian forget or overlook these teachings and prefer a judgmental and formulaic response to their faith.

First reading: Samuel 26: 2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23. This is part of the narrative describing how David became King. The prophet Samuel had told King Saul that he was 'rejected by God' for not following the prophet's instructions in his conduct against Israel's enemies. Samuel had chosen David as Saul's successor. Although David was loyal to the king, Saul began to fear him and plot for his death. This passage is part of the story where Saul was pursuing David, intending to kill him. David and his followers had come across the sleeping Saul and had opportunity to kill him; however, David refuses to lift his had against the Lord's anointed king. The mercy shown to an enemy here foreshadows Jesus message in today's Gospel.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 45-49. Continues from last Sunday; Paul is addressing theological questions about the resurrection that were causing contention among the christian converts in Corinth. Here, Paul describes Jesus as 'the last Adam' who has become a life-giving spirit.

Themes: love and mercy

Hymn suggestions: The Beatitudes (any setting); Love is his word; And they'll know we are Christian by our love; general praise hymns.

8th Sunday of Ordinary time

Gospel: Luke 6:39-45. Some parables - the blind cannot lead the blind; you cannot remove a splinter from another's eye while you have a plank in your own eye; a sound tree does not produce rotten fruit. The common thread is that those lacking virtue cannot lead others into virtue (Jesus comes back to this theme later with his condemnation of the hypocrisy of the religious establishment). By contrast, the good do what is good because of the goodness of their hearts, and this is reflected in their words.

First Reading: Sirach 27: 4-7. The Wisdom of Sirach is a collection of the wise sayings of Jesus (or Joshua) ben Sirach, a Hellenized Jew about 200 years before Christ's birth. It was recorded and translated into Greek in Egypt by ben Sirach's grandson some time in the mid 2nd century BC. The fact that it is in Greek rather than Hebrew, and comes from the time 'between testaments' means it is not regarded as part of the Hebrew bible and not used by some Reformed churches; hence its other name, Ecclesiasticus or Churches. This section uses the metaphor of a sieve sorting out the rubbish to describe how someone's words can show their true worth. The link to today's Gospel is obvious.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:54-48. Continuing Paul's discourse on the resurrection, Today's extract contains the famous saying 'Death, where is your sting?'.

Themes: goodness of heart, the goodness of God.

Hymn suggestions: general praise and thanksgiving hymns; Gift of Peace; Lord, make me an instrument of peace; the Beatitudes, You are salt

9th Sunday of Ordinary time

Gospel: Luke 7: 1-10. The healing of the centurion's servant. This story appears in Matthew also. The centurion was not a Jew, but appears to have been a friend to the Jewish community in Capernaum. The term that the centurion uses for his servant (in the Greek of the Gospel) implies that he was held in some affection, not just a slave or employee. Nevertheless, the centurion declines Jesus' offer to go to his house, saying that Jesus word would be good enough for his servant to be healed. It is from this story we take our short prayer before communion 'Lord, I am not worthy to enter...' . Jesus contrasts the centurion's faith with the lack of faith that he has found in Israel.

The 5th to 12th Sundays in ordinary time do not happen every liturgical year, as they can bereplaced by various Sundays related to the moveable feast of Easter and whose dates change from year to year. The 5th -9th Sundays will happen on occasions when Easter is late (latest possible date April 25th) and two Sundays from 9th - 12th Sunday are usually replaced by Trinity and Corpus Christi. Which ones happen depends on how early Easter is (earliest possible date for Easter is March 22) . Notes for these Sundays will be added later

10th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Luke 7:11-17. A

11th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Luke 7:36-50. The story of the woman 'who was a sinner' who anoints Jesus with expensive perfume and her tears. When Jesus' host questions his allowing this, Jesus replies with a parable that points out that those with a greater debt will be more grateful if that debt is forgiven. There is an obvious parallel with the first reading.

FIRST READING: 2 Samuel 12: 7-10; 13. King David, chosen by God, had committed a terrible sin: he had lusted after another man's wife and committed adultery with her. To try to avoid being caught breaking this commandment, he arranged for that man , Uriah, to die by placing him in an impossibly dangerous situation. David had thought that, because he had not killed Uriah with his own hand, he was not guilty of breaking another commandment and compounding his sin. The prophet Nathan confronts David with this and reminds him of the great favours God has done for him and then tells David that he has done what is evil in the sight of God. When David acknowledges his sin, Nathan tells him that God forgives him, but that he will always have the 'curse of the sword'. The Psalm we know as the Miserere (Ps 22) is reputed to be composed by David in his acknowledgement of this event.

SECOND READING: Galatians 2:16; 19-21. Peter had been eating with Gentiles, a practice forbidden by Jewish custom.There was some debate in the early church about the extent to which converts should have to follow Jewish Law. Despite the resolution of the first council of the Apostles that the parts of the Law that were distinctly Jewish should not apply to Gentile converts, there were those who persisted in trying to persuade the new Christians to follow it. Some of these had persuaded Peter that he should not eat with Gentiles and he stopped. Paul, here, is telling Peter that that was a wrong decision.

Themes: God's forgiveness of sins; Christ has redeemed us

Hymn suggestions: Gentle as silence; Though the mountains may fall; Hear, O Lord; God is love;

12th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Luke 9: 18-24. Jesus asks the disciples 'who do the people say that I am'. After various replies indicating that people thought Jesus was various prophets come again, Jesus asks their own opinion. It is Peter who replies that Jesus is the Messiah.

FIRST READING: Zechariah 12: 10-11. Zechariah is a minor prophet from the 6th century BCE. This is part of a Messianic set of writings, chosen today because of the theme of the Gospel. In particular there is the reference to "they look on him whom they have pierced" which is explicitly mentioned in John's Gospel.

SECOND READING: Galatian 3: 26-29. Paul reminds his converts that there is no longer any distinction between Jew and Gentile.

Themes: Christ as the fulfilment of God's promise

Hymn suggestions: Hail Redeemer; I found a treasure; Come to the water; Praise my soul the king of heaven; In faith and hope and love

13th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Luke 9: 51-62.: The beginning of the section of Luke’s Gospel known as the ‘Journey to Jerusalem’. Luke collects many stories from Jesus’ life and puts them into the context of this journey which is, symbolically, the journey to his suffering, death and resurrection.

As this journey starts, various incidents are related which emphasise that those who choose to follow Jesus would have to give up their old ways – symbolically, not looking back.

FIRST READING: 1 Kings 19:16; 19-21. The call of Elisha, successor to Elijah. The images of today’s Gospel make some use of this story, which would have been well known to Luke’s readers.

SECOND READING: Galatians 5: 1; 13-18. Continuing from last Sunday in this ‘teaching’ section of Paul’s epistles. Paul is telling the new Christian community of Galatia that the redemption gained through Christ’s dying and rising has gained them a new freedom; the only true Law is the commandment of love. They should not be slaves to the Law, but he also reminds them not to be slaves to desires of the flesh – what would perhaps today be described as materialism.

Themes: call to follow Jesus; the commandment of love

Hymn suggestions: Be not afraid; Here I am, Lord; Galilee Song (Deep within my heart I feel);Go tell ev'ry one; Go now you are sent forth;

14th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Luke 10: 1-9 The sending of the seventy. This comes after the sending of the twelve Apostles (12 being the number of the tribes of Israel) and marks a phase of the spreading of Jesus message. This will be followed by its rejection. Remember, we have entered the part of Luke's Gospel known as the 'Journey to Jerusalem', with its mission, rejectiona and then the crucifixion.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 66: 10-14. A prophetic vision of the "new Jerusalem" which will provide peace and joy for all; in symbolic form, the same message Jesus sends out with those who follow him.

SECOND READING: Galatians 6:14-18. Paul here states that nothing is worthy of boast from Jewish tradition - only the Cross on which Christ is crucified is of note (remember, to the first century Jews, the cross was a shameful symbol as this was the way that slaves were put to death). These words are paraphrased in the second verse of the hymn "When I behold the wondrous cross"

Themes: spreading the Good News

Hymn suggestions: Here I am, Lord; Go now you are sent forth; When I behold the wondrous cross; How great thou art; Go tell everyone; Galilee song

15th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Luke 10: 25-37. The parable of the "Good Samaritan". It is interesting that these days many people think that Samaritans were people who went around doing good deeds. That arose from this story; Jesus chose Samaritans in a couple of incidents or parables because they were treated with disdain by the Judeans and Galileans, who considered that only they were 'true Jews'. If Jesus were telling this story today, he may have chosen a Mongel Mob member or something of the sort as the central character of the story. The real question of the story is: Who is my neighbour?

FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 30:10-14. This book contains some re-statements of Mosaic Law from Exodus. This section focuses Moses urging the people to obey the Law "with all your heart and with all your soul". Jesus constantly criticised those who followed the letter of the Law rather than its spirit. Those people were not following the Law with all their hearts and souls. The parable in today's Gospel was intended to illustrate this.

SECOND READING: Colossians 1: 15-20. We leave Galatians for this letter to the people of Colossae. This section is a 'doctrinal' section, intended to emphasise to the readers Christ's divinity (at the time there was some debate about this and other religious matters; Paul here seeks to clarify his teaching).

Themes: Who is our neighbour? the commandment of love t

Hymn suggestions: We find you Lord in others need; Christ be our light; Lord open pathways; Lord make me an instrument of peace; They'll Know we are Christians; We are companions on a journey;

16th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Luke 10: 38-42. The story of Martha and Mary. When Jesus is a guest in their house, Mary sits at his feet to listen to him and leaves Martha to do all the fetching and serving. Martha asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her. Martha is obviously one of those people very concerned with doing the right thing and being seen to do so - she can't just 'go with the flow'. Jesus' answer to her tells us a lot about our priorities. It is important to be hospitable - Martha wasn't doing anything wrong by trying to be a good hostess. The implication of the story, though, is that Martha took this too far: she was trying too hard to impress, and got her priorities wrong.

FIRST READING: Genesis 18: 1-10. This story seems to have been chosen today because of its link, through the symbol of hospitality offered to God's incarnation, to the story of Mary and Martha. Abraham hastens to offer the best he has to the 'three men' who in some way symbolise or represent the Lord (Christians would think of the Trinity). He is rewarded when the Lord tells him that his wife, Sarah will bear a son despite having been thought barren. It seems the Church fathers, in choosing this reading, intend for us to appreciate that hospitality (as offered by Martha) is very important - that we shouldn't misinterpret the Gospel reading to think it isn't.

SECOND READING: Colossians 1: 24-28. Paul is writing from prison. He tells his readers that because he suffers for their sake, he rejoices in it. The conversion of the Gentiles was Paul's life's work and even though it brought him to prison, he rejoices because that would not have happened if he had not been successful.

Themes: be open to the presence of God

Hymn suggestions: Be thou my vision; I found a treasure; Seek ye first the kingdom of God; Seek O seek the Lord while he is near; Gift of peace; Come to me all who labour;

17th Sunday of ordinary time

GOSPEL: Luke 11: 1-13. The disciples ask Jesus how to pray; he gives them the "Lord's Prayer". This prayer draws on elements from various texts in the Old Testament. Jesus follows it with a parable illustrating the importance of perseverance in prayer.

FIRST READING: Genesis 18: 20-32. God threaten's to destroy two cities because of their sinfulness. Abraham asks him to spare the cities if there are some innocent men who would be destroyed along with the sinners. The story uses a storytelling device common to oral traditions and children's stories with its repetition of certain phrases in Abraham's 'bargaining' with the Lord. The reading is chosen for today to emphasise the point about the importance of perseverance in prayer.

SECOND READING: Colossians 2:12-14. Paul refers to the 'burial' by complete immersion in baptism, as practiced at the time. This symbolises the burial of Christ; rising from the water symbolises rising to new life with Christ's resurrection.

Themes: perseverance in prayer

Hymn suggestions: Hear O Lord; Amazing grace; Blest are they (or any setting of the Beatitudes); Day by day; Gentle as silence; I say yes; Lift up your hearts; Though the mountains may fall; Be not afraid; Now thank we all our God;

18th Sunday of ordinary time

Gospel: Luke 12: 13-21. A man asks Jesus to tell his brother to give him a share of his inheritance; Jesus responds with the parable of the rich man who plans to build bigger barns for his bountiful harvest, but who is told that he will die before it comes in. This seems to be a lesson not to be to attached to the things of this world.

First reading: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2: 21-23. The writer describes it as ‘vanity’ for a person who labours only to have someone else reap the fruits of their toil. Vanity in this sense refers to being in vain (pointless). This relates to the gospel theme of not being too attached to the things of the world.

Second reading: Colossians 3: 1-5, 9-11. Our reading of this letter continues; Paul exhorts the readers to focus on heavenly things, not earthly. He then lists sins and divisions in the community to which he writes, which keep them from heavenly things.

Themes: Our thoughts should be on heavenly things, not earthly. Freedom from sin and worldliness.

Hymn suggestions: Blest are they; Come as you are: Day by day, The Power of your love; Love is his word; Nearer my God to thee; Only a shadow; Seek ye first; The Beatitudes; The Lord is my shepherd; I found a treasure; Though the mountains may fall

19th Sunday of ordinary time

Gospel: Luke 12: 32-48. Be ready; the parable of the watchful servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding. The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.; treasures things of heaven, not of earth. A continuation of the gospel theme from last Sunday.

First reading: Wisdom 18: 6-9. Refers to the night of the Passover, expected at the time by the children of Israel but unexpected by their captors. The writer is a Greek-speaking Jew in the first century BCE, and is writing to encourage his people the face of oppression. Picks up the Gospel theme of being ready.

Second reading: Hebrews 11: 1-2, 18-19. We leave Colossians for a new letter, written for Jewish followers of Christ. The author gives explanation of the example of faith of Abraham and Sarah, relating that to how Christ has borne that faith out.

Themes: Be watchful; God has built us a city; faith; things of heaven, not earth.

Hymn suggestions: City of God; In faith and hope and love; Seek ye first; Though the mountains may fall; Yahweh’s love will last forever; Come to me all who labour; Be not afraid

20th Sunday of ordinary time

Gospel: Luke 12:49-53. Jesus tells the disciples that he is not here to bring peace on earth, but a fire. After this, households would be divided against themselves. Partly this is a foreshadowing of His own suffering; fire is also a symbol of purification and sacrifice. Possibly this is also a foreshadowing of the trials of the early church.

First Reading: Jeremiah 38:44; 8-10. The prophet Jeremiah is cast into a well to die at the behest of evil counselors of King Zebediah, but he was freed on the pleading of a non-Jewish servant. This occurred at a time before the capture of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. Jeremiah had been preaching against certain political alliances, and suffered for his being true to his faith. Links to the Gospel through the notion of the trial of Jeremiah and that of Jesus; Jerusalem was captured after Jeremiah and destroyed by the Romans after Jesus.

Second reading: Hebrews 12:1-4. Continues our reading from this letter. The ‘cloud of witnesses’ refers to a list of first testament figures given between last Sunday’s reading and this one, who showed great faith in God. Christ leads us in our faith – he endured the cross (a shameful death). The writer is exhorting his readers to continue with such faith.

Themes: faith, witness for God, suffering for one’s faith.

Hymn suggestions: God’s spirit is in my heart; God gives his people strength; Be not afraid; Blest are they; Lord of the dance; Lord, I come to you; For all the saints;

21st Sunday of Ordinary time

Gospel: Luke 13: 22-30. Jesus tells the parable of the master of the house who has locked the door and told his visitor that he does not know them. Many will be turned away from the Kingdom of God, but those from the ‘east and the west’ will take their places. This seems to be a foreshadowing of the rejection of Jesus by many of the Jewish people, and the mission to the Gentiles.

First reading: Isaiah 66: 18-21. “I am coming to gather the nations of every language”. Parallels the Gospel message, written in an earlier time, about rejection and acceptance of God.

Second reading: Hebrews 12: 5-7, 11-13. Writing for his Jewish convert readers, the author points out how a father corrects his sons and likens their suffering to that of children being ‘corrected’. This seems to have been written at a time when these early Christians were undergoing suffering and persecution.

Themes: God’s call to all peoples, trials and tribulations, go and tell all nations.

Hymn suggestions: Go tell ev’ryone; Go now you are sent forth; Come as you are; Though so many; To be people of faith; To be your bread now; We are companions on a journey; You are salt for the earth

22nd Sunday of ordinary time

Gospel: Luke 14: 1, 7-14. The story about taking the place of honour at the wedding feast. “He who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted”. Jesus exhorts his host to invite the poor, crippled, lame and blind to dinner rather than friends or relatives.

First reading: Ecclesiasticus 3: 17-20, 28-29. This book is one of the wisdom texts – wise sayings of a father to his son. This section is about humility, echoing the theme of the Gospel.

Second reading: Hebrews 12: 18-19, 22-24. Continuing his message to the Jewish followers of Christ, the writer uses references his readers would be familiar with from Scripture to illustrate the new covenant that Jesus brings as mediator.

Themes: The new covenant of the Church is with the poor, lowly and humble. Humility; mission to the poor.

Hymn suggestions: Blest are they; Blessed are the poor in spirit; Christ be our light; Go tell everyone; Humbly we adore thee; Come as you are; Come to the water;

23rd Sunday of ordinary time

Gospel: Luke 14: 25-33. Continues the series of teachings from last Sunday; in this passage Jesus says than none can follow him without giving up worldly things. He uses a series of metaphors about preparedness to illustrate the need to be prepared for the coming of God’s kingdom. Taken with last Sunday, the message is about a kingdom of where there is a different sort of relationship: earthly status does not matter and we are enjoined to help one another.

First reading: Wisdom 9: 13-18. Another wisdom text; this one about the mystery of God’s will. Taken with the Gospel, we can discern again the idea that earthly status and designs are not those of God.

Second reading: : Philemon 9-10, 12-17. This is a passage from a short letter, written when Paul was old and in prison, as a personal letter to a follower called Philemon. He asks Philemon to take back a runaway slave, Onesimus, who has converted to Christianity, and to deal kindly with him. Slavery was a brutal fact of first century life, part of the order of worldly things referred to in the Gospel. The link to the gospel passage is fairly obvious.

Themes: our ways are not God’s ways; giving up worldly things, caring for one another.

Hymn Suggestions: Christ be our light, God’s spirit is in my heart, Come back to me, Come to me all who labour, Galilee song, Eagle’s wings; Love one another,

24th Sunday of ordinary time

Gospel: Luke 15: 1-32. Jesus is remonstrated for associating with tax collectors and sinners, and replies with some parables – the man who rejoices at a lost sheep found, the woman who finds her lost coin. The extended version of today’s Gospel continues with the prodigal son/loving Father parable.

First reading: Exodus 32: 7-11, 13-14. Moses comes down from the mountain to find the people have taken up the idolatrous worship of their neighbours. Moses pleads with God to stay his wrath against the people for their idolatry. This reading is chosen to echo the Gospel theme of God’s forgiveness.

Second reading: Timothy 1: 12-27. Paul describes how mercy was shown to him (he labels himself the greatest sinner) by God. This is a post-Gospel time restatement of the theme of the first reading and Gospel for today.

Themes: God’s mercy and love, God can forgive any sin; sinfulness and reconciliation

Hymn suggestions: Strong and constant, Gentle as silence, Come back to me, Though the mountains may fall;

25th Sunday of ordinary time

Gospel: Luke 16: 1-13. The rather curious parable about the steward who, on being told of his immanent dismissal, calls in his master’s debtors and dishonestly reduces their debt to win their friendship. He is then praised by the master for his astuteness (perhaps because of the good reports from his master’s debtors, grateful to him, or perhaps just for his astuteness in serving his own needs). Jesus goes on to advise his listeners to use money “tainted as it is” to win friends. He adds the twist on the end that no-one can be the servant of two masters – you cannot serve both God and money. In view of the first reading (see below) this could also be a message to use money to mitigate the suffering of the needy and oppressed.

First reading: Amos 8: 4-7. The prophet Amos gives examples of oppressive and exploitative practices, presumably drawn from contemporary events. In particular, he condemns those who push religious law to its limits and engage in deliberate swindling of the poor. He vows the Lord’s vengeance upon these people. Given that Jesus praises the dishonesty of the steward in the Gospel reading, it could be taken that it is the practice of exploiting the poor which is particularly being condemned; perhaps the steward’s master was one of those who did this.

Second reading: Timothy 2: 1-8. Continues this letter; an exhortation to prayer and emphasis on the Christian belief in one God and Jesus as his one mediator.

Themes: our God is the God of the poor and oppressed; foresight; using money and resources wisely (could be extended to wise use of the world’s resources in today’s world – to mitigate the suffering of the poor and needy, but also in a way to build a secure future).

Hymn suggestions: The cry of the poor, Christ be our light; Love is his word; Come to the water; In faith and hope and love;

26th Sunday of ordinary time

Gospel: Luke 16: 19-31. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Continues from last Sunday (this story follows it immediately), with a warning to the oppressors (the rich man who ignored Lazarus’ suffering), and follows it up with a message that those who suffer in this life will be rewarded in the next. Jesus is challenging the Pharisaic view that those who meet misfortune in life deserve it as a sign of God’s displeasure with them; he turns it around to state that it is their arrogance and complacency that will be punished (this would have greatly offended them). The sting in the tale here is the rich man’s request that he be allowed to warn his family - he is told that they had the prophets (e.g. Amos from the first reading), and if they wouldn’t listen to them they will not be convinced ‘even if someone should rise from the dead’. This reading is part of the sequence leading to Jerusalem; the deliberate provocation of the Pharisees and the reference to rising from the dead is a signal of the impending crisis.

First reading: Amos 6: 1, 4-7. Another reading from Amos, this time condemning the self-indulgent and indolent rich who pursue self-obsessed pleasures and ignore the troubles around them.

Second reading: Timothy 6: 11-16. Paul continues his advice to his protégé, asking him to pursue a ‘saintly and religious’ life. Timothy is, like Paul, to be an example to the community he serves.

Themes: care for the poor and the oppressed, social justice, moderation and uprightness in one’s affairs

Hymn suggestions: Similar to last Sunday, plus: Hear O Lord, We find you Lord in others need (new hymn – will need to be introduced

27th Sunday of ordinary time

Gospel: Luke 17: 5-11: The apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith. He responds with a parable saying that it is not enough just to do the things you ‘have to do’ (i.e. following the commandments). The implication is that to show faith, one must take the initiative and look beyond the commandments.

First reading: Habakkuk 1: 2-3; 2: 2-4. Habakkuk lived about 600 BC, just before the Babylonian exile. He is impatient with God for retribution against the wicked, at a time when political intrigue and idolatry were rife. God tells him that justice will come; if it comes slowly, it will come without fail. The underlying message is to have faith and trust in God.

Second reading: Timothy: 1: 6-8, 13-14. Continues Paul’s teaching and encouragement to his protégé. In this section, Paul encourages Timothy to be bold in witnessing for Christ, and to be true to the teachings he has received from Paul. Paul is at this point a prisoner, but tells Timothy that he should not be ashamed of Paul for being a prisoner for the Lord.

Themes: faith, witness

Hymn suggestions: In faith and hope and love; Be not afraid; Christ be beside me; All over the world; All the ends of the earth; Deep in Christ; God gives his people strength; Lift up your hearts; Magnificat (any setting); Though the mountains may fall.

28th Sunday of ordinary time

Gospel: Luke 17: 11-19. Jesus cures ten lepers of their disease; only one of them (a Samaritan, considered by the tribes of Israel to be foreigners and not of the true faith) returned to thank Jesus and give praise to God for his cure. Jesus tells him that his faith has saved him.

First reading: Kings 5: 14-17. Naaman, a pagan army commander, is struck with leprosy and in desperation goes to the prophet Elisha. He is told to bathe seven times in the River Jordan, and is cured. The local religions of the time thought that their gods were gods only in the local area. Since only the God of Israel could cure him, he asks for as much earth as two mules can carry, to take home and hence take the God of Israel with him. Naaman was used to the idea of offering sacrifice of thanksgiving to his tribal god; since Elisha refused this, taking the soil was a way of acknowledging and thanking Yahweh. Many of the gospel miracle stories echo those of the old testament, particularly the miracles of Moses, Elijah and Elisha. Today’s gospel echoes this story to emphasize that the power of God worked through Jesus as it did through the prophets of old.

Second reading: Timothy 2: 8-13. We continue through this letter; in this section Paul asks Timothy to be firm in his faith. He reminds Timothy that salvation is in Jesus Christ. Paul writes this at a time when he faces great personal difficulty.

Themes: Thanksgiving, faith and trust in God.

Hymn suggestions: Now thank we all our God; I thank my God; Father, I thank you; Our God reigns; Dwelling place; I say yes; It is good to give thanks to the Lord; Only a shadow; Praise to the Lord

29th Sunday of ordinary time

Gospel: Luke 18: 1-8. Jesus tells the parable of the judge “who had neither fear of God nor respect for man” who is petitioned by a widow to give her justice, and eventually relents only because of her persistence. These judges were appointed by the Romans and were not expected to respect God or Jewish law and custom. Jesus makes the point that if such a man eventually gives in, then God (who is just) must surely also answer persistent prayers. He finishes with the twist: “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?”. The series of readings we have been following are on the journey to Jerusalem, and contain pointers to the trial to come. It is not certain that this last sentence belongs with the parable; if it does, it is possibly a reference to the coming of Christ as judge and the need for persistence with prayer in preparation for this (remember that the Gospel was written at least a generation after Jesus life and at a time when many considered that the ‘second coming’ would be soon).

First reading: Exodus 17: 8-13. During their travels after leaving Egypt, the people of Israel encountered various indigenous tribes who were (probably justifiably) wary of these nomads who might compete with them for local resources. Conflict was common. In this story, they encounter one such tribe, the Amalek. While the Hebrew fought the Amalek, Moses stood on a hill above them where he was visible. As long as he held up his staff, the Hebrews prevailed. When his arms fell, Amalek had the advantage. Aaron and Hur placed a rock for Moses to sit on and held up his arms so that his arms would not fall. The Hebrews eventually won. This is an illustration of the power of God to answer those who petition him.

Second reading: Timothy 3: 14 – 4:2. Paul tells Timothy that scripture is inspired by God and can be used for teaching. He tells Timothy to proclaim the message, refute falsehood and teach. He refers to the second coming of Jesus as judge (c.f. the reference at the end of the Gospel reading).

Themes: Persistence with prayer, God answers those who pray.

Hymn suggestions: Seek O seek the Lord; Ask and it shall be given unto you (Seek ye first v2, use as Gospel acclamation); Amazing grace; Ask the Father in my name; Day by day; Be not afraid; Glory and praise; Hear O God; Gift of peace; I say yes; Strong and constant; The power of your love (Eagles wings); Lord of all hopefulness; Magnificat (any setting); The Lord is my shepherd (any setting)

30th Sunday of ordinary time

Gospel: Luke 18: 9-14. The parable of the two men going to the temple to pray; one (a Pharisee) thanks God for what he sees as all his very excellent qualities, the other (a tax collector) asks God to have mercy on him, a sinner. Jesus says it is the second who went home at rights with God for “he who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted”. This is still on the journey to Jerusalem and once again Jesus is making very pointed statements to and about the Pharisaic custom of considering good fortune to be a gift from God in reward for what they regard as their own righteous behaviour. The message is fairly self evident. Once again, the deliberate contrast giving the right behaviour to a tax collector (considered outcast by ‘righteous’ Jews) and the wrong to the Pharisees, who considered themselves as truly doing what God wants, turns things around from the world view Jesus’ listeners would have taken for granted. It would also have greatly angered the Pharisees; Luke is emphasizing the events that led up to the conflict with the Jewish authorities.

First reading: Ecclesiasticus 35: 12-14, 16-19. This book is one of the wisdom texts from the time after the Greek occupation of Palestine. The writer states that the Lord is a judge whose judgments are not dependent on the status of the petitioner, and who will answer the prayers of the humble. The writer here is addressing the same sort of self-satisfied and prideful attitude that Jesus is confronting in the Gospel reading.

Second reading: Timothy 4: 6-8, 16-18. Paul is in prison and on trial. Nobody would defend him. He states that his life is near its end, but has been sacrificed to God. Only God has given him strength, only God will rescue him.

Themes: Humility; the need not to be self-satisfied or to have too high an opinion of ourselves, particularly as regards our relationship with God; prayer

Hymn suggestions: Humbly we adore thee; Hear O Lord; Gift of peace; Strong and constant; To be your bread now; Though so many; We are companions on a journey; When I behold the wondrous cross; Open my eyes, Lord; O breathe on me; Love is his word; Lord, make me an instrument of peace (either setting); Fill my house; Day by day; Come as you are

31st Sunday of Ordinary time

Gospel: Luke 19 1-10. The story of Zacchaeus, a short man and a rich tax collector, who climbed a tree to see Jesus. Despite the outcast status of tax collectors in Jewish society (they worked for the Roman occupiers), Jesus goes to Zacchaeus home for supper. The onlookers murmered against Jesus going home with a 'sinner', but Jesus states that he is here to save sinners. Zacchaeus promises to repay fourfold anyone he has defrauded. It is unclear whether Zacchaeus has actually defrauded anyone; his sin may be against the Law rather than one of deliberate injustice. The obvious message in this gospel reading is Jesus willingness to accept sinners.

First reading: Wisdom 11:22 - 12:1. This reading is in three parts. The first looks at the insignificance of the world on the scale of God and all creation; the second states that all is possible for God and everything that exists does so by God's will; the third part talks of God's mercy, forgiveness and the way God corrects sinners little by little. In this reading, the idea of all things being God's creation is a common theme in Wisdom texts. The relationship to the passage about God's mercy to today's gospel reading is obvious.

Second reading: Thessalonians 1:11 - 2:2. Today we begin a new letter of Paul, one of the earliest of our Christian texts that we still have today. Paul is addressing the people of Thessalonica, some of whom thought that the day of the second coming was to be so soon that there was no point in work or anything else. Basically, Paul is telling them to settle down and get on with life.

Themes: God's mercy and love, living life as best one can, God's greatness

Hymn suggestions: How great thou art; Gentle as silence; Hear O Lord; Come as you are; Come back to me; Day by day;plus any general theme praise hymns at the beginning or end (note: not ones about Christ as king, as this feast is coming up soon).

32nd Sunday of Ordinary time

Gospel: Luke 20: 27-38. A group of Sadducees (a religious/political party who were less numerous than the Pharisees and held some beliefs that were not generally accepted, including a non-belief in the idea of a resurrection from the dead) come to Jesus and attempt to trip him up on his teaching about eternal life. Their trick question revolves around the teaching from the 'Law of Moses' that if a man dies his brother must marry his wife (the original law was probably intended to provide some sort of safety net for widows, who otherwise had no means of support). The Sadducees ask about the status of a woman whose husband dies, and each of his seven brothers marries her and then dies in turrn; whose wife is she in the resurrection? The intention is to make the notion of resurrection look ridiculous. Jesus answer is a little enigmatic, but seems to indicate that the application of the law to earthly life is different from that of eternal life (recall the readings of the 23rd Sunday of ordinary time - God's ways are not our ways; see the archive page). The application of this reading to us can be thought of in quite a few ways; one is not to be too hung up on petty things or to use petty things as an excuse not to see the broader picture. The key is the last part of the reading: God is not the God of the dead, but of the living, and all live in him.

First reading: 2 Maccabees 7:1-2; 9-14. The books of Maccabees tell of a period about two centuries before Jesus. The Jewish people were engaged in a war of rebellion; this is in the time when Greek language and culture had pervaded the region. In this reading, a tyrant king arrests and tortures a mother and seven brothers for refusing to eat pork; they were prepared to die rather then transgress levite law and each professes a firm belief that that they will be raised by God. The parallel with the seven brothers in the Gospel is apparent; it is possibly this story that the Sadducees used as the basis for their question for Jesus (Maccabees is one of the late books written in Greek and would probably not have been considered as part of sacred scripture by the Sadducees). The message of this reading is one of sure hope of resurrection.

Second reading: 2 Thessalonians 2: 16-3:5. A prayer, and an exhortation to prayer (continuing this book from last Sunday).

Themes eternal life, faith in God

Hymn suggestions: I am the bread of life, New Life, In faith and hope and love, God gives his people strength, I am the resurrection; Here I am, Lord; Lift up your hearts; I found a treasure; Come to the water; I say yes; You are salt for the earth O people.

33rd Sunday of ordinary time

Gospel: Luke 21:5-19. Some people speak of the nobility of the Temple in Jerusalem, and Jesus predicts its destruction. He is asked for a 'sign' of when this is to take place, but replies with a warning not to be led astray by those falsely claiming to be the returned Messiah, or by apparent portents. He then goes on to list some of the things that will precede 'the end'. The gospel this Sunday speaks of last things; it is the last Sunday of ordinary time. Luke's Gospel was probably written after the time when the Temple had already been destroyed by the Romans (in 70AD) and Christians had undergone various persecutions. This is a message of hope in the resurrection, but also a warning that despite the persecutions and other 'signs', the end of the world or the second coming is not necessarily just around the corner and that people should be prepared to meet their own personal end when their time comes.

First reading: Malachi 4:1-2. Malachi writes at a time after the return from the Babylonian exile. He addresses his fellow Jews, whose lifestyle is not worthy of the grace God has shown by ending their slavery to the Babylonians and the restoration of their homeland. He warns them that a day of judgment comes. This is related to the theme of last things from today's Gospel; it is also worth noting that the events of last Sunday's first reading take place a century and a half or so after today's: the Jewish people did indeed fall once again under the fist of an oppressor.

Second reading: 2 Thessalonians 3: 7-12. Continues this letter from the previous two Sundays. Paul tells the people of Thessalonica that he worked for his food and needs while among them and that all of them should similarly earn their keep. This seems to be related to the passage we read from earlier in this letter where some people had stopped working in expectation that the second coming was very near. It seems likely that these people were just using this as an excuse to 'bludge' (as we would say today). Paul uses his authority to point out that his is not acceptable.

Themes: Last things; be prepared; do your part.

Hymn suggestions: City of God, Christ be our light; Come to me all who labour; I found a treasure; Come to me Lord and live within me; Be not afraid; Love is his word; Blest are they; Christ be beside me; Deep within us; For all the saints; Though the mountains may fall; Yahweh's love will last forever

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

Gospel: Luke 23:35-43. Jesus, dying on the cross, is mocked. The inscription above him reads 'the king of the Jews', and the 'rulers' scoff, saying that if he is the Messiah (promised one, equated with kingship) he should save himself. However, one of the two criminals crucified with Jesus does believe: "Remember me, when you come into your kingdom". Today's readings are all about Christ's kingship; we should be like the man who, in the midst of his own suffering, recognized Jesus as King and the source of his salvation.

First reading:2 Sm. 5: 1-3 The first king of the tribes of Israel was Saul, but the kingship was not allowed to stay in Saul's family because of his disobedience. David was anointed king secretly by the prophet, Samuel, and ruled in Judah. This episode takes place after Saul's death when the other tribes of Israel come and acknoledge David as King. The reading is chosen for its connection with the kingship of Christ - the 'Son of David'. David is seen as the archetype of kings, but as only a shadow of Christ as King.

Second reading: Colossians 1: 12-20. In this last Sunday of the year, we leave the letter to the Thessalonians that we have been reading and listen to this section of Paul's letter to the people of Colossae. Many of these letters contain a 'doctrinal' section and this is one such. The writer is emphasizing that Christ is the head of the church; he is "the image of the invisible God". Like the other readings for today, this reading matches the theme of our feast day.

Themes: Christ as King, as head of the Church

Hymn suggestions: Praise my soul the King of heaven; Crown him with many crowns; Hail Redeemer; King of glory, king of peace; Blessings on our King; Humbly we adore thee; Glory and praise; The Lord is a great and mighty King; The Lord is my shepherd (any setting); Thine be the glory; Gospel acclamation - Alleluia, alleluia/Jesus is Lord of all the earth, he is the King of creation.

Feast Days

15th August: Feast of the Assumption

Gospel: Luke 1: 39-56. Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth's words to Mary: "Of all women you are most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb" forms the second stanza of the Catholic prayer, the Hail Mary or Ave Maria. Mary's response to Elizabeth is the hymn of praise we know as the Magnificat (from the first word of the prayer in Latin: Magnificat anima meum Dominum...

First Reading: Revelations 11: 19; 12: 1-6, 10. John's 'apocalyptic' writing includes this vision casting Jesus entry into the world in symbolic terms. It is chosen for today's feast because it is the only place in the Bible which is gives a vision of Mary in the heavenly kingdom rather than in her earthly life.

Second reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 20-26. All will rise to life in Christ. Today's feast celebrates Mary 'Assumed" into heaven, as is eventually promised for all of us.

Themes: Mary, first disciple.

Hymn suggestions: Magnificat (any setting); Immaculate Mother (Lourdes hymn); Mary, gift of the eternal God; Mo Maria; Mary Immaculate;