Presider’s Page for 3 March (Third Sunday of Lent) We gather in cold weather this March Sunday in Ireland, praying that God will warm our hearts with love during the Lenten spring. The Lord has the message of eternal life: we come to know this message and deepen our relationship with our Saviour. Alternative Opening Prayer (from…
02 Mar 2024 – Saturday of Week 2 of Lent (1) Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 Israel’s God is a God of mercy Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock that belongs to you, which lives alone in a forest in the midst of a garden land; let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in…
01 Mar 2024 – Friday of Week 2 of Lent Optional Memorial: St David, patron of Wales, 6th century abbot, died c 601. Several Irish monks were his students and he influenced monastic development in Ireland. (1) Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13 17-28 Jacob’s sons envy their brother Joseph, and sell him into slavery Now Israel loved…
29 Feb 2024 – Thursday of Week 2 of Lent (1) Jeremiah 17:5-10 Blessed are those who trust in the Lord rather than in mere mortal power Thus says the Lord: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord. They shall be…
28 Feb 2024 – Wednesday of Week 2 of Lent (1) Jeremiah 18:18-20 In desperate straits, Jeremiah pins his hope on God “Come, let us decide what to do with Jeremiah,” people say. “There will still be priests to guide us, still wise men to advise us, still prophets to proclaim the word. Come, let…
27 Feb 2024 – Tuesday of Week 2 of Lent Optional Memorial: St Gregory of Narek, c 950-1003, monk of Armenian Church, mystic and poet, wrote Lamentations (aka Narek), a collection of prayers, abbot and doctor. (1) Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 A call to personal conversion, to remove our sins from God’s sight Hear the word…
26 Feb 2024 – Monday of Week 2 of Lent (1) Daniel 9:4-10 Daniel’s prayer of shame and repentance I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “Ah, Lord, great and awesome God, keeping covenant and steadfast love with those who love you and keep your commandments, we have sinned and done…
25 Feb 2024 – Lent, 2nd Sunday, Year B (1) Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18 The “Binding of Isaac” shows Abraham’s complete obedience to God After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go…
24 Feb 2024 – Saturday of Week 1 of Lent (1) Deuteronomy 26:16-19 Walking in the way of the Lord This very day the Lord your God is commanding you to observe these statutes and ordinances; so observe them diligently with all your heart and with all your soul. Today you have obtained the Lord’s…
23 Feb 2024 – Friday of Week 1 of Lent Optional Memorial: St Polycarp, bishop (Smyrna-Izmir in modern Turkey) and martyr, born c 69, disciple of St John, martyred in 155 (1) Ezekiel 18:21-28 Personal responsibility to replace the idea of shared guilt But if the wicked turn away from all their sins that they…
22 Feb 2024 – Chair of St Peter the Apostle 1st Reading: 1 Pet 5:1-4 Peter’s advice to his fellow Church leaders: feed God’s flock with loving respect Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort…
21 Feb 2024 – Wednesday of Week 1 of Lent Optional Memorial: St Peter Damian, 1007-72, a hermit, later Cardinal Bishop of Ostia, a church reformer. (1) Jonah 3:1-10 When Jonah’s preaching bears fruit, God has mercy on Nineveh The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, “Get up, go to…
Presider’s Page for 25 February (Second Sunday of Lent) As we continue to celebrate Lent, we keep the goal of our journey before us. The gospel of the transfiguration is read on this lenten Sunday each year, to remind us to hold firm to a vision of glory, on dark days. Easter and its joy…
20 Feb 2024 – Tuesday of Week 1 of Lent (1) Isaiah 55:10-11 God’s word comes down from heaven like rain, to make the earth fruitful For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving…
19 Feb 2024 – Monday of Week 1 of Lent (1) Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18 Practical guidance for worship and for social compassion The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. You…
18 Feb 2024 – Lent, 1st Sunday, Year B (1) Genesis 9:8-15 The rainbow as the sign of God’s covenant with mankind Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is…
17 Feb 2024 – Sat after Ash Wednesday (1) Isaiah 58:9-14 If they are converted, they are blessed, with waters that never fail Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, “Here I am.” If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of…
16 Feb 2024 – Fri after Ash Wednesday (1) Isaiah 58:1-9 True religion differs from merely external observance Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know…
Presider’s Page for 18 February (First Sunday of Lent) Today we celebrate the first Sunday of Lent. All over the world today, children and adults alike are beginning their preparation for baptism at the Easter Vigil. Like them, we begin our own preparations, looking forward to renewing our baptismal vows and being blessed with Easter…
15 Feb 2024 – Thurs after Ash Wednesday (1) Deuteronomy 30:15-20 A warm call to fidelity. Choose life, that you and your offspring may live! Keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and…
