Introductions for the lessons, Year C, from Advent
Note: These introductions are designed to be read out slowly and clearly immediately before the text reference is announced. This avoids any misunderstanding that the ‘introduction’ is part of Scripture. (if the text of the lesson is printed, the introduction may be included)
ADVENT 1
Jeremiah 33, 14 – 16
From the 7th century BC, at a time when the Babylonian Empire threatened Jerusalem, Jeremiah dared to offer hope. (Christians see this hope fulfilled in Jesus, but we await Utopia, for Israel and the world!)
1 Thessalonians 3, 9 – 13
The warmth of St. Paul’s love for his converts shines through this passage – as also the early Christian expectation that Jesus would very soon return in Judgement.
Luke 21, 25 – 36
In AD 70, in response to a Jewish rebellion, Roman armies destroyed the Holy City and the Holy land. Jesus clearly foresaw this inevitability, and his warnings have become mingled with typical Hebrew ideas about final Judgement and the end of the world.
ADVENT 2
Malachi 3, 1 – 4
The Media often focus on the failings of religious leaders. From the 5th century BC Malachi attacks corruption at the heart of the Jewish Religion – in the Temple and its Levitical Priesthood.
or Baruch 5:1-9
The little Book of Baruch is a mystery. We cannot know when, or by whom, it was written. It seems to have been written for Israelites in exile – ‘led away by their enemies’. But this final passage of the Book promises that God will restore Jerusalem to her former glory.[1]
Philippians 1, 3 – 11
Writing from prison Paul assures his converts that God is working for their perfection.
Luke 3, 1 – 6
John the Baptist’s Renewal Campaign was the ‘trigger’ for Jesus’ move into the public eye. St. Luke places John in his historical context.
ADVENT 3
Zephaniah 3, 14 – 20
The prophecies of Zephaniah (in the 7th century BC) consist largely of the condemnation of pagan practices and the certainty of Divine Judgement. But in this passage Zephaniah (or perhaps a later author) concludes with the assurance that God will bring renewal, security and celebration!
Philippians 4, 4 – 7
It is important to remember that this joyful message from St. Paul was written from prison and awaiting trial.
Luke 3, 7—18
John the Baptist was a forthright and critical observer of the social and moral conditions of his time. He expected his cousin Jesus to lift his renewal movement to a spiritual ‘high’.
ADVENT 4
Micah 5, 2 – 5a
Some Hebrew prophecies, which had contemporary significance when they were first delivered, seem strangely to pre-figure events around Our Lord’s life. Consider how a passage like this, from the 8th century BC, must have influenced Jesus.
Hebrews 10, 5 – 10
The scholarly author of the Epistle to the Hebrews meditates on Psalm 40, putting the words into the mouth of Jesus, as the only One totally obedient to the Divine Will.
Luke 1, 39 – 45 (46 – 55)
The joyful meeting of two expectant women – the mothers of John the Baptist and Jesus. The ‘Magnificat’ attributed to Mary is part of the folk-praise of Israel from the time that Hannah rejoiced at the birth of her son Samuel.
CHRISTMAS
Isaiah 9, 2 – 7
Eight centuries before Jesus the prophet Isaiah spoke of the hope of a good and godly King. We see his hope fulfilled in Jesus.
Titus 3, 4 – 7
St. Paul reminds his convert Titus that the unconditional love of God, revealed in Jesus, offers renewal — and eternity! – for us all.
Luke 2, (1 – 7) 8 – 20
St. Luke presents the life of Jesus as an event established within the history of our world. His references to national and local rulers could not be expected to be absolutely accurate, but his intention is clear.
John 1, 1 – 14
At the beginning of his Gospel, St. John is not concerned to repeat the familiar tales surrounding the birth of Jesus. For John, poet and mystic, what matters is Light in a dark world, and the elevation of the human race – as God becomes Man!
CHRISTMAS 1
1 Samuel 2, 18 – 26
A small boy, an ‘acolite’ worshipping Jahweh at a local shrine, a thousand years before Jesus. But was he a role-model for Our Lord?
Colossians 3, 12 – 17
The transforming impact of Christ’s life echoes through Paul’s advice to his converts.
Luke 2, 41 – 52
Our only hint of the domestic life and childhood of Jesus — his words to his parents are not as aggressive or naughty as some English translations have made them sound.
CHRISTMAS 2
Ecclesiasticus 24, 1 – 12
In Jewish writings of the 2nd century BC ‘Wisdom’ became personified as a link – a Mediator – between God and the human race. This passage strangely foreshadows what Christians believe took place at the Incarnation.
Ephesians 1, 3—14
Although the Epistle to the Ephesians is usually attributed to St. Paul this wonderful presentation of the role of Jesus in human history leads some
EPIPHANY
Isaiah 60, 1 – 6
Early in the 6th century BC exiled Jews were permitted to return from Babylon to rebuild their city, their temple, and their national life. Aggressive patriotism must have been the dominant emotion, but the third author in the book of Isaiah challenges the people to a world—wide mission, and promises international fame!
Ephesians 3, 1 – 12
The very first Christians were Jews, and they saw no reason to abandon their Jewish traditions. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians (many of whom would be Gentiles) describes his part in the discovery that the Gospel is ethnically Universal!
Matthew 2, 2 – 12
Matthew’s story of Eastern Astrologers at the manger — part legend, part history — emphasises the international significance of the birth of Jesus.
THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST
Isaiah 43, 1 – 7
Consider how prophetic passages like this must have fed the growing faith of Jesus, as child and man.
Acts 8, 14 – 17
Right from the start of the Jesus Movement, Baptism was the Rite of initiation. Spiritual exaltation might come before or after Baptism.
Luke 3, 15 – 17, and 21 – 22
Both St. Mark and St. Luke present Jesus’ Baptism as a moment of private vocation. The Divine voice is heard only by Jesus — and the joiners tools must be laid down for ever.
EPIPHANY 2
Isaiah 62, 1 – 5
Second Isaiah, prophet of the return of Israel from exile, is speaking at a time when the problems encountered as they struggled to re—establish the Nation, and reconstruct the City and its Temple, were proving insurmountable. The prophet feels call to speak out – that with God the future looks good. (This passage helps us to understand the fervent nationalism of Israel to this day)
1 Corinthians 12, 1 – 11
The Christian community in Corinth was split by factions, and its worship dominated by those who spoke in tongues. Paul highlights the unifying work of the Holy Spirit inspiring — not just the so— called gifts of the Spirit — but a wide range of beneficial and practical abilities.
John 2, 1 - 11
The changing of the water-into-wine remains a mystery. St. John alone describes this event – the ‘first of Jesus’ signs’ – and an allegory of the transformation our Lord brings to those who believe in him.
EPIPHANY 3
Nehemiah 8, 1 – 3, 5 – 6, and 8 – 10
A vivid description of a moment of National Renewal, following the return of many Jews from Exile around 538 BC. The Book of the Law no doubt promised divine punishment for those who disobeyed – hence the ‘mourning and weeping’.
1 Corinthians 12, 12 - 31a
Paul likens the Christian community to a human body in which all parts are mutually interdependent. The point should not be missed — that every member has a part to play!
Luke 4, 14 – 21
With his campaign launched Our Lord returned to his home—town, Nazareth, and to the Synagogue on the Sabbath Day. It is not difficult to imagine the outraged congregation listening to his commentary on the passage he chose to read. (In the Gospel next week we will hear the outcome!)
EPIPHANY 4 (CHURCH OF ENGLAND)
Ezekiel 43, 21 – 44,4
At the conclusion of a visionary description of the re—consecrated Temple, Ezekiel prophesies that a ‘prince’ will come - ‘One fit to sit in Cod’s presence’. Did this prophecy inspire Simeon, who in today’s Gospel recognises the infant Jesus?
1 Corinthians 13, 1 – 13
It is important to know that this familiar and famous passage comes as the climax to St. Paul’s list of ‘gifts of the Spirit’ in the previous chapter, read last week. For St. Paul ‘love is all’!
Luke 21, 22 – 40
Jewish Law required the circumcision of a male child at eight days, and then, after the mother remained at home for forty days, her purification. Through one of those coincidences common to godly people Simeon arrives and identifies the child in his arms.
EPIPHANY 4 (RCL)
Jeremiah 4, 1 – 10
All the elements of an authentic religious vocation are in this autobiographical sketch from Jeremiah. Choice from the womb – total inadequacy – and the assurance of God’s empowerment.
1 Corinthians 13, 1—13
See Epiphany 4. C. of E.
Luke 4, 21 – 30
We are in the Synagogue in Nazareth. Jesus – having read (as we heard last week) from the Prophet Isaiah “the Spirit of the Lord is upon me” – provokes an understandable response from the outraged congregation.
THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST
Malachi, 3, 1 – 5
The book of Malachi belongs in the 5th century BC. at a time of moral corruption, promiscuity and pagan worship. The prophet anticipates the coming of an inspired Leader who will purify the nation.
Hebrews 2, 14 – 18
The developed religious system of Israel depended upon animal sacrifice to atone for sin. The first Christians, many of whom were converted Jews, interpreted the Crucifixion as the supreme and final sacrifice.
Luke 2, 22 – 40
Most places of worship have their devout senior citizens, whose lives find meaning through constant prayer, and who may well have a developed sense of intuition. The picture of Simeon and Anna ‘recognising’ Jesus is beautiful and believable.
EPIPHANY 5 (Third before Lent)
Isaiah 6, 1 – 8 (9 – 13)
King Uzziah’s death in 742 BC marked the end of a period of wealth and stability. At this moment of national grief and anxiety Isaiah, at prayer in the Temple, receives his call – and hears worship which we share in the Eucharist to this day.
1 Corinthians 15, 1 – 11
The earliest documented report of the resurrection of Our Lord comes from St. Paul, writing about AD 56. It is important to remember that Paul (as Saul the Pharisee) initially resisted the Christian Movement – but by the time of writing, he has no doubt about the facts, and can appeal to living witnesses.
Luke 5, 1 – 11
According to St. John’s Gospel, the first disciples came to know Jesus in Judea during the mission of John the Baptist. This morning’s incident, back in Galilee, confirms their initial impression and seals their loyalty to this charismatic young Rabbi.
EPIPHANY 6 (SEPTUAGESIMA)
Jeremiah 17, 5 – 10
Late in the 7th century BC the little kingdom of Judah was internally corrupt and externally threatened by the rising power of Babylon. Jeremiah (probably the son of a priest) had the unenviable task of articulating Divine Judgement.
1 Corinthians 15, 12 – 20
It is natural to question the stories of Christ’s resurrection. Last week we read Paul’s careful list of reported appearances. In this succeeding passage he endeavours to reassure those who have doubts.
Luke 6, 17 – 26
Parallel with St. Matthew’s familiar “Sermon on the Mount” we hear St. Lukes shorter “Sermon on the Plain”. Notice the make-up of the audience – a large inner circle of ‘disciples’ and a much larger cosmopolitan ‘general public’. Jesus’ outrageous reversal of accepted values remains something we have to take account of.
SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE LENT (SEXAGESIMA)
Genesis 2, 4b – 9, 15 – 25
The book of Genesis offers two quite different Creation Stories. The first is a sophisticated evolutionary sequence of Divine ‘inventions’. The second story, from which we read this morning, is more like a rustic rural tale. It clearly originates from a culture where the male is dominant.
Revelation 4
Mystics of all religions experience visions of God which can only be described in poetic imagery. Writing to a persecuted Christian minority, St. John the Divine offers a glimpse of future glory.
Luke 8, 22 - 25.
Jesus’ miracles over nature are not as easy to comprehend as his works of healing. All three Synoptic Gospels record this incident which experienced Galilean fishermen never forgot.
SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE LENT (QUINQUAGESIMA)
Exodus 34, 29 – 35
Peoples’ faces often reveal their inward state of mind. Moses comes down from his mountain meditations aglow with God!
2 Corinthians 3, 12 – 4, 2
Struggling with the fact that his beloved nation had crucified their Messiah, Paul draws on the story of Moses. To the Jews as a Nation the glory of the Incarnation remained veiled. But for those who accept Jesus, the veil is lifted!
Luke 9, 28 – 36 (37 – 43a)
As Jesus faces the terror of his final journey to Jerusalem he receives inspiration from the two Hebrew Heroes whose courage in confronting Civil and Religious Authority had established the Jewish Nation.