Sunday 21 December 2025
Lectio
Divina:*
Meditatio:
“…Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and
unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her
quietly ….” (Matthew 1:19)
Commentary:
Another week to go! Those cards, those presents, those visits,
hiding the toys in the attic or with the neighbours, those last-minute things…`
Or maybe ….
Lectio
Divina:*
Meditatio:
“…blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me ….”
(Matthew 11:6)
Commentary (1,162 words):
On this, the third Sunday of Advent, we are moving closer to
that great feast of the Saviour’s birthday. However, the warnings of John the
Baptist gave way to a new phase in our history of salvation. Now,
the focus turns towards the cousin of John. In terms of the Gospel story we
skip forward from John at the river Jordan preaching, warning, baptising and
clearing the way for someone who is to come to John who is in prison awaiting
trial and, presumably, execution.
The Gospel of Matthew places a strong emphasis on the Messiah (or the Christ). This emphasis would not have been lost on his Jewish audience since the transition from a baptism with water and prophecy as with Elijah must now, decisively, give way to a new baptism in the Spirit and a new definitive revelation of God. All of history leads to this event, this era, this teaching, this prophecy. It was no longer just a question of Jesus the extraordinary and ordinary cousin of John but it was a matter of Jesus Christ the ‘he-who-saves’ (Jeshua in Aramaic) and the Christ or Messiah (Christou in Greek).
Lectio
Divina:*
Meditatio:
“…Prepare the way of the Lord….” (Matthew 3:3)
Commentary:
Hope runs through today’s readings. After a time of ruin for
the Jewish people, Isaiah speaks of renewed leadership and a reign of peace where
the vulnerable are protected. The Psalm echoes this vision with its promise of universal
salvation. Paul, in the second reading, reminds us that salvation is rooted in
Israel but extends to the whole earth. There is continuity from the Old to the
New Testament, with John the Baptist heralding a new order.
John, the cousin of Jesus, points to a new way of life already breaking into our world. He was no ordinary figure. Clothed in camel’s hair with a leather belt, living on locusts and wild honey, he stood apart from the priests of the Temple and the leaders of society. His very presence was a reproach to the norms of his time—yet people flocked to him because his message carried weight and conviction.
Lectio
Divina:*
Meditatio:
“…Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is
coming at an unexpected hour” (Matthew 24:44)
Commentary (1,082 words):
Stop.
Breathe.
Rest.
Six years ago, I wrote a blog here on the same readings for
the first Sunday of Advent. Then, I reflected:
The best way to prepare for death is to live life to the full now and to live it well so that we leave a good memory and example and find our well-being in this thought.
Lectio
Divina:*
Meditatio:
‘…Jesus, remember me when you come into your
kingdom....’ (Luke 23:42)
Commentary (878 words):
The idea of royalty sits uneasily with many political sensibilities today. Even in private religious devotion, the image of the crowned, suffering servant on the cross resonates more deeply than that of a High King seated in judgment in the heavenly courts. Yet, we recite the Our Father daily, often without pausing to consider the implications of the phrase: “Thy Kingdom come.”
Pic: The 'End Things' are depicted in the painting of
the
'Opening of the Sixth Seal' in the National Gallery in Dublin.
Lectio
Divina:*
Meditatio:
‘By your endurance you will gain your souls.’ (Luke 21:19)
Commentary (954 words):
There’s something strangely comforting about today’s
readings. Though they unfold against a backdrop of chaos—trial, judgment,
destruction, war, and pestilence – they carry an unmistakable undercurrent of
hope. The Old Testament, the Gospel, and the Psalm all point to a higher power guiding
us through darkness toward light, toward greener pastures.
I often feel a quiet sorrow for those who find solace in the rituals and stories of the Bible but struggle to believe in life beyond death—or even more poignantly, in life before death. For what is faith if not the conviction that joy and meaning can be found now even amid despair as well as forever?
Lectio Divina:*
Meditatio:
‘Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s
Spirit dwells in you? ’ (1 Cor 3:16)
Commentary (1,051)
This Sunday’s readings are steeped in rich symbolism, drawing us into a deeper understanding of Temple—both the ancient one in Jerusalem and the living temple of the Christian community. These texts were chosen for the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St John Lateran (celebrated annually on November 9) which happens to fall on a Sunday this year. The next time this alignment occurs on a Sunday will be in 2031. So let’s pay close attention!
