30 June, 2018. Sat. of Week 12

1st Reading: Lamentations 2:2, 10-14, 18-19) A survivor of Jerusalem’s destruction laments in mournful tones The Lord has destroyed without mercy all the dwellings of Jacob; in his wrath he has broken down the strongholds of daughter Judah; he has brought down to the ground in dishonour the kingdom and its rulers. The elders of…

28 June, 2018. Thurs. of Week 12

(St Irenaeus, bishop & martyr (Memorial) 1st Reading: 2 Kings (24:8-17) Nebuchadnezzar’s first deportation of the Jews to Babylon, c. 597 BCE Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign; he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Nehushta daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the…

26 June, 2018. Tue. of Week 12

1st Reading: 2 Kings (19:9-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36) The Assyrians attack Jerusalem; but Isaiah promises that a remnant will be saved When the king heard concerning King Tirhakah of Ethiopia, “See, he has set out to fight against you,” he sent messengers again to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus shall you speak to King Hezekiah of Judah:…

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Presider’s Page for 24 June (Birth of John the Baptist)

Just three birthdays are celebrated by the Church in the Liturgy each year – that of Jesus at the winter solstice, his mother’s on 8th September and that of his cousin John the Baptist near midsummer’s day. John’s birthday comes just after the longest day of the year, when the light begins to decline — just as Jesus’ birthday is just after the shortest day. The placing of these two feasts summarises John the Baptist’s mission: ‘I must decrease, he must increase.’

22 June, 2018. Fri. of Week 11

1st Reading: 2 Kings (11:1-4, 9-18, 20) Athaliah seized the crown by violence. When she is executed, the covenant is renewed When Athaliah, Ahaziah’s mother, saw that her son was dead, she set about to destroy all the royal family. But Jehosheba, King Joram’s daughter, Ahaziah’s sister, took Joash son of Ahaziah, and stole him…

18 June, 2018. Mon. of Week 11

1st Reading: 1 Kings (21:1-16) After condemning poor Naboth, King Ahab seized his precious vineyard Later the following events took place: Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of King Ahab of Samaria. And Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard, so that I may have it for a vegetable…