Judges 13:2ff. Manoah’s wife learns of the miraculous conception of Samson, who will be dedicated to God to the day of his death.
Luke 1:5ff. Glorious things are predicted of John, the long-awaited son of Zechariah and Elizabeth.
Jeremiah 23:5ff. A righteous Branch will be raised up from David’s descendants, to rule with wisdom and justice.
Matthew 1:18ff. Joseph is told of the miraculous, virginal conception of Jesus, who “will save his people from their sins. “
Genesis 49:2ff. The dying Jacob predicts future glory for the tribe of Judah, among all of his twelve sons. This is fulfilled when the Messiah is born “of the tribe of Judah.”
Mt 1:1ff. The apparent, popular and schematically structured genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Isaiah 54:1ff. The future reversal, when the abandoned will find God’s special favour;for “the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer. ”
Luke 7:24ff. Jesus praises John the Baptist as “a prophet, yes, and more than a prophet. “
Isaiah 45:6ff. A glorious portrayal of the true, living God, creator of all. “I am the Lord, and there is no other. ”
Luke 7:18ff. In reply to John’s question ‘Are you the one who is to come?’ Jesus points to his healing ministry, in confirmation.
Zephaniah 3:1ff. A prophet’s hopeful vision of his people’s future conversion: the humble shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord.
Matthew 21:28ff. The short parable about two sons: one refuses but then obeys; the other agrees but disobeys.
Numbers 24:2ff. Balaam’s oracle about the glorious future, when a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter from Israel.
Matthew 21:23ff. When the Jewish leaders demand proof of his authority, Jesus points to John’s non-hierarchical authority.
Theme: Society finds it so hard to tolerate dissent that those who step out of line are often harshly treated and even risk their lives. At great risk, John the Baptist spoke out for justice, against the corrupt authorities of his day. Only by doing so could he prepare his people for the coming of…
Sirach 48:1ff. Lyrical praise of the great Elijah, a prophet whose word burned like a torch.
Matthew 17:9ff. John the Baptist was the “Elijah” – the fore-runner, before the Messiah’s arrival.
Isaiah 48:17ff.
If you heeded my commandments, your name would last forever
Matthew 11:16ff. Jesus criticises the people of his generation, who listened neither to John the Baptist nor to himself.
Isaiah 41:13ff. The Lord says to his dispirited people, “Do not fear, for I will help you. ”
Matthew 11:11ff. The greatness of John the Baptist, but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Gen 3:9-20. After their sin, our First Parents tried to move the blame on to each other, and to the serpent. God puts enmity between the serpent and the woman, between its offspring and hers. Eph 1:3ff. An enthusiastic hymn to the saving grace of God, which the church sees applied in a special way…
Isaiah 40:1ff. “Comfort ye my people!” – the beginning of Second Isaiah, on the promised return of the exiles from Babylon.
Matthew 18:12ff. The shepherd rejoices to find the lost sheep.
Isaiah 35:1ff. In a glorious future they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the ransomed exiles shall return to Zion Luke 5:17ff. Jesus heals the paralysed man, let down through the roof, for “the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins” First Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10 The wilderness and the dry land shall…
Theme: John the Baptist’s life work was preparing the way for Christ. Once Christ came, it only remained for John to disappear gracefully. Like John, we should make way for Christ in our own life, and then perhaps we can have a more helpful influence on the lives of others. Is 11:1-10. A sublime Old…
Theme: John the Baptist’s life work was preparing the way for Christ. Once Christ came, it only remained for John to disappear gracefully. Like John, we should make way for Christ in our own life, and then perhaps we can have a more helpful influence on the lives of others. Is 11:1-10. A sublime Old…
Isaiah 30:19ff. The coming days of blessed enlightenment, when the people will turn aside from idolatry.
Matthew 9:35ff. Jesus sends his twelve apostles to spread the gospelto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Isaiah 29:17ff. A promise of good times, when deaf shall hear and blind shall see – and those who grumble will accept instruction. Matthew 9:27ff. Cure of two blind men, when Jesus says: “According to your faith let it be done to you. ” First Reading: Isaiah 29:17-24 Shall not Lebanon in a very little…
Isaiah 26:1ff. A hymn of confidence in the Lord God “your everlasting rock”.
Matthew 7:21ff. Final section of the Sermon on the Mount: like a wise man who built his house on rock.
Isaiah 25:6ff. “Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces” – another glorious Messianic vision of the final age. Matthew 15:29ff. Jesus , out of compassion for the crowd, multiplies the loaves and fishes, so that all eat their fill. First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10 On this mountain the Lord of hosts…
