CONSECRATION TO THE ALL OR NOTHING
Malachi 3:1-4
Psalm 24 (23):7-10
Hebrews 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-23
Feast of the Presentation
Sunday 2nd February 2025
The Feast of the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple represents the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies, highlighting the Lord’s intention to cleanse His temple and renew the locale of worship in His body. Of this coming, Malachi in our first reading, prophesied the purging of the sons of Levi who in their irreverence and abuses failed to recognise the Lord in their consecration to him.
Archives
Donations
Our Word & Wisdom Series is totally free for you to enjoy. However, if you’d like to offer a small donation then you can do so online on our donations page. Thank you for your kindness.
RESTORED IN THE SPIRIT OF JUSTICE
Nehemiah 2:2-10
Psalm 19 (18): 8-10
Corinthians 12: 12-30
Luke 1: 1-21
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
I think any Jew or Christian of the time in which John’s gospel was written would hear in this account of the wedding at Cana a twofold message. Here is the Messiah, the Restorer, bringing in his kingdom, announcing his kingly rule. But, more than that, here is the bridegroom, restoring his people because of his spousal love for them.
I think any Jew or Christian of the time in which John’s gospel was written would hear in this account of the wedding at Cana a twofold message. Here is the Messiah, the Restorer, bringing in his kingdom, announcing his kingly rule. But, more than that, here is the bridegroom, restoring his people because of his spousal love for them.
FORETASTE OF THE WEDDING FEAST OF THE LAMB
Isaiah 62: 1-5
Psalm 96 (95): 1-10
Corinthians 12: 4-11
John 2: 1-11
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
I think any Jew or Christian of the time in which John’s gospel was written would hear in this account of the wedding at Cana a twofold message. Here is the Messiah, the Restorer, bringing in his kingdom, announcing his kingly rule. But, more than that, here is the bridegroom, restoring his people because of his spousal love for them.
They might hear behind the story not only our first reading from Isaiah, but also the more explicit declaration in Isaiah 54-4. For your maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name, and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer. And they would recognize that this celebration represents the final action in a marriage that follows the earlier betrothal.
Baptism of the Lord
Isaiah 42:1-7
Psalm 104 (103):1-30
Titus 2: 11-14; 3:4-7
Luke 3:15-22
We are in the time of beginnings and today’s liturgy we gaze at the moment when Jesus, as an adult Jew, experiences the life-changing infusion that sets him on his mission to save all of humanity. The baptism of Jesus is referred to in each of the four Gospels. Luke’s telling is distinctive for several reasons.
Unlike Mark and Matthew, Luke does not explicitly state that Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist. The man we understand as pointing the way to the Messiah is not a protagonist in what happens. He is rather the sentinel for centuries of expectation who adds his witness to the cosmic turn in human history that occurs when baptism is of the Spirit rather than water … (Reflection by John Dalla Costa)
The Epiphany of the Lord
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalms 72(71):1-2, 7-13
Ephesians 3: 2-6
Matthew 2:1-12
Today’s feast of the Epiphany marks in a dramatic way the contradiction posed to humanity by the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. On the one hand, as we read in Matthew’s Gospel, the light of Christ’s coming has shifted the cosmos, with a star arousing wonder and awe among sages in foreign lands. On the other, after an arduous pilgrimage across desert and plain to follow that star, the presence of these seekers arouses an equal and ominous enmity in the hearts of Herod, and those who’d been entrusted as custodians of God’s promise…. (Reflection by John Dalla Costa)
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Numbers 6:22-27
Psalms 67:2-2,5-8
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:16-21
On this first day of the year, the readings for the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God make us want to focus on where true blessedness lies, and who are the chosen ones identified in God. God’s blessings transverse beyond fun fair, to mean a protective hand; a certain overshadowing and guidance, despite any appearances to the contrary. This reverberates with that timeless assurance for the pilgrim Israel in Exodus (13:21), which Christ fulfils as the “God with Us.”