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…

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…

Isaiah 11:1ff. A glorious vision of the Messianic blessings, when “They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain. ” Luke 10:21ff. True disciples, and the humble of heart, will know God with the special knowledge that Jesus has of him. First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10 A shoot shall come out from the stump…