Readings, hymns and sermon ideas for Sunday 6 February 2022, Fourth Sunday before Lent

‘He saw two boats there at the shore’ … two fishing boats at the Quays in Wexford (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Patrick Comerford

Next Sunday, 6 February 2022, is the Fourth Sunday before Lent.

The readings in the Revised Common Lectionary as adapted for use in the Church of Ireland are:

Readings: Isaiah 6: 1-8 (9-13); Psalm 138; I Corinthians 15: 1-11; Luke 5: 1-11.

There is a direct link to the readings HERE.

Introduction to the readings:

The call of Isaiah, the call of Saint Paul, and the renewed call to some of the disciples, including Peter, James and John, come not to people who feel they are worthy to this call, or have inherited a call or have a right to speak on God’s behalf.

Isaiah is in the Temple when he hears and responds to God’s call. The Psalmist is in God’s presence in the Temple when he finds God answers his prayer and gives him a new calling or new spiritual gifts. Saint Paul recalls his own call after all the other disciples have been called. Peter, James and John are called not only to speak on Christ’s behalf, but to do what he commands and to follow him.

In all these readings, Isaiah, the Psalmist, Saint Paul and then Saint Peter, all express their feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness, yet accept God’s call to speak in God’s name unconditionally and in faith.

‘I saw the Lord sitting on a throne … Seraphs were in attendance above him’ … a fresco in the church in Piskoiano, outside Iraklion in Crete (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Isaiah 6: 1-8 (9-13):

The setting for this reading is in the year King Uzziah died, 742 BC. Assyria is expanding its borders, and the northern kingdom, Israel, is trying to coerce Judah into a military alliance against the threat from Assyria.

In this reading, the Prophet Isaiah hears his call from God to be a prophet.

Isaiah has a vision of God enthroned, surrounded by seraphs or winged angels, each with six wings. They cover their faces with one pair of wings, their feet with a second pair, and use the third pair for flying.

Each pair of wings represents one of the three aspect of their work on God’s behalf, in humility, modesty and obedience.

The acclamation ‘Holy’ is repeated three times for emphasis (verse 3). This word identifies God as all-holy, sinless, and set apart from earthly things. God is the Lord of hosts and rules over the whole earth and all peoples.

Isaiah is in the Temple when the gates shake with an earth tremor that he understands as a sign of the presence of God. Smoke too is a sign of the divine presence, as is the cloud of glory in the desert (see Exodus 40: 34).

Isaiah feels unclean and unworthy in the presence of God, and yet he sees God. He sees the people as unworthy too, but one of the seraphs purifies him, rendering him fit to speak God’s word to his people.

When God asks who he should send as his messenger or prophet, Isaiah volunteers to be this prophet. God accepts his offer, but he warns Isaiah that most people will not hear God’s message and will fail to understand it, preferring instead their old, traditional, corrupt ways.

While a small number of people, the ‘stump’ (verse 13), will accept it, most will reject it and be destroyed. Even the remnant will endure difficult times.

Within nine years, Assyria had invaded and had made Judah a puppet state.

‘It will be burned again, like a terebinth or an oak whose stump remains standing when it is felled’ … an old tree stump in a churchyard in Kilkenny (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Psalm 138:

Psalm 138 thanks God for his steadfast, enduring love and for his care for his faithful followers. When he calls upon God, God not only answers him but gives him a new calling or makes him more confident spiritually: ‘you increased my strength of soul’ (verse 3).

The psalmist then sings a hymn of praise. All the rulers of the earth shall praise God, who cares for the lowly but distances himself from the proud and haughty.

The psalmist’s faith in God is strengthened, and he grows in his trust in God, knowing God’s love endures for ever.

‘All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord’ (Psalm 138: 4) … a depiction of King Charles I in Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

I Corinthians 15: 1-11

In the Epistle reading (I Corinthians 15: 1-11), we have the earliest New Testament account of the Resurrection. Saint Paul has heard that some people in the Church in Corinth deny the physical resurrection of the body, claiming that only the spirit matters. Here he argues against this view. He says: I draw your attention to the ‘good news’ I proclaimed to you, which you received, and ‘in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved’ (verses 1-2), assuming that you all hold to it.

Those he addresses are challenged to note the form of the words he uses, unless, in not accepting the message fully, they ‘have come to believe’ to no purpose. The most important tenets he hands on are: ‘Christ died for our sins’ (verse 3); ‘he was buried’ (verse 4), in other words, he really died physically; he ‘was raised ...’ and appeared to various persons and groups. His death, burial and rising again are ‘in accordance with the scriptures,’ and are part of God’s plan.

Only the appearances to Peter or Cephas (verse 5), and to the ‘twelve’ are recalled in the Gospels. Saint Paul says he was the last to see the Risen Christ, the ‘least of the apostles’ (verse 9). Yet, through ‘the grace of God’ (verse 10), he has achieved more than any other apostle.

Saint Paul tells us that the Risen Christ first appeared to Cephas (Peter), then to the twelve, then to 500 at one time, then to James, then to all the apostles, and finally to Paul himself (see I Corinthians 15: 3-8).

Why does Saint Paul not name the women?

What does Saint Paul count all 12 disciples?

Why does Saint Paul name Saint Peter but not Saint John?

And why does he name Saint James separately?

Who are the 500?

Who are apostles here?

Baptism is described as sharing in Christ’s suffering and death and being raised with Christ to new life in Christ. Remember here how in the Early Church, the Baptism of new believers took place at Easter. So, Baptism has ethical implications for our discipleship: we are to cast aside both sins of the body and of the mind. In the baptised community, ethnic and social barriers are shattered, for ‘Christ is all and in all.’

An icon of the Church as a boat, including Christ, the Apostles and the Church Fathers (Icon: Deacon Matthew Garrett, www.holy-icons.com)

Luke 5: 1-11:

This is a story of commitment to Christ, to his message and to his destiny. Simon is named Peter for the first time in Saint Luke’s Gospel in verse 8. Christ calls Simon or Simon Peter to be a disciple, promising him he is to be a ‘fisher of men,’ and Peter, James and John leave everything and follow Christ.

This episode begins beside the ‘lake of Gennesaret.’ Gennesaret is the plain on the south-west shore of the Sea of Galilee. The crowd is pressing in to hear Christ, the Word of God, preach the ‘word of God’ or the Christian message.

Jesus gets into the boat with Simon Peter. There are two boats in this episode, and James and John are also fishing in one of the boats.

Simon acknowledges Jesus as ‘Master’ or teacher. They do what Christ tells them to do, and they are amazed at the consequences. Simon Peter responds by falling down before Jesus in humility, pointing to himself as a sinful man, and calling Jesus ‘Lord,’ which becomes an expression of faith.

Peter, James and John make a total commitment to Christ, leave everything, and follow him.

The Ichthus symbol remains discreetly unnoticed in the pebble mosaic of the former church courtyard in Kaş (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

A closing reflection on the Gospel reading:

In illustrations, the boat is often used as an image of the Church, while the fish is an image of Christ.

In the Early Church, the fish came to symbolise Christ because the Greek word Ichthus (ΙΧΘΥΣ), meaning ‘fish’, is an acrostic for Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, Θεοῦ Υἱός, Σωτήρ, ‘Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour.’

Some years ago, when I was visiting Kaş, a pretty town on the south coast of Turkey, I visited the former Church of the Annunciation. This had once been a Greek-majority town known as Andifli, but the Greek-speaking population was expelled in 1923 in one of the early examples of ‘ethnic cleansing’ in 20th century Europe.

For 40 years, the Church of the Annunciation on the acropolis or hilltop above the top, lay deserted and crumbling. But in 1963, 40 years after the Greek-speaking people of Andifli were expelled, the Church of the Annunciation was requisitioned as a mosque, and – despite its age – was renamed Yeni Cami (New Mosque). A minaret was added, along with a fountain with a quotation in Turkish, rather than Arabic, from the Quran: ‘We made from water every living thing’ (Surat al-Anbiyya, the Prophets, 21: 30).

Inside, the church was aligned facing east, a new mihrab or prayer niche facing Mecca and a minbar (pulpit) were inserted on the south wall, the frescoes were stripped away and the icon screen removed. All obvious Christian symbolism, including crosses, was picked out of the hoklakia pebble mosaic in the courtyard. But no-one noticed the significance of the fish, symbolising the Greek word Ichthus (ΙΧΘΥΣ), so that dozens of fish remain scattered though the pebble mosaic.

This is, truly, the story of the ‘fish that got away.’

Have you ever spoken of or described someone or some thing as a ‘good catch’? A person you had an emotional or romantic interest in? A job you wanted? A house you wanted to buy?

Can you imagine how Christ sees you as ‘a good catch’?

If the Church is the agent of Christ, do we do a good job in drawing in his ‘good catch’?

‘He saw two boats there at the shore’ … two fishing boats at the harbour in Skerries, Co Dublin (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Luke 5: 1-11 (NRSVA):

1 Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, 2 he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ 5 Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.’ 6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. 7 So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ 9 For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.’ 11 When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

‘The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets’ (Luke 5: 2) … fishing boats and nets in the harbour in Rethymnon, Crete (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Liturgical Resources:

Liturgical Colour: Green

The Collect:

O God,
you know us to be set
in the midst of so many and great dangers,
that by reason of the frailty of our nature
we cannot always stand upright:
Grant to us such strength and protection
as may support us in all dangers
and carry us through all temptations;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Collect of the Word:

Most holy God,
the earth is filled with your glory,
and before you angels and saints serve in awe.
Enlarge our vision to see
your power at work in the world, and by your grace
make us heralds of your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.

The Post-Communion Prayer:

God of tender care,
in this Eucharist we celebrate your love for us and for all people.
May we show your love in our lives
and know its fulfilment in your presence.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch’ (Luke 5: 4) … a fisherman at work in the Venetian lagoon at Torcello (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Suggested Hymns:

Isaiah 6: 1-8 (9-13):

316, Bright the vision that delighted
415, For the bread which you have broken
454, Forth in the peace of Christ we go
331, God reveals his presence
696, God, we praise you! God, we bless you!
355, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord
714, Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might
321, Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty
715, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Lord Almighty
700, Holy God, we praise thy name
581, I, the Lord of sea and sky
6, Immortal, invisible, God only wise
427, Let all mortal flesh keep silence
7, My God, how wonderful thou art
639, O thou, who camest from above
370, Stand up, and bless the Lord
446, Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands
323, The God of Abraham praise
476, Ye watchers and ye holy ones

Psalm 138:

250, All hail the power of Jesu’s name
358, King of glory, King of peace
21, The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want

I Corinthians 15: 1-11:

218, And can it be that I should gain
257, Christ is the world’s Redeemer
264, Finished the strife of battle now
244, There is a green hill far away
286, The strife is o’er, the battle done
248, We sing the praise of him who died

Luke 5: 1-11:

454, Forth in the peace of Christ we go
567, Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go
419, I am not worthy, holy Lord
553, Jesu, lover of my soul

‘When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him’ … fishing boats on a shore at Mount Athos (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

Material from The Book of Common Prayer (the Church of Ireland, 2004) is copyright © Representative Body of the Church of Ireland 2004.

The hymn suggestions are provided in Sing to the Word (2000), edited by Bishop Edward Darling. The hymn numbers refer to the Church of Ireland’s Church Hymnal (5th edition, Oxford: OUP, 2000).

‘They caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break’ (Luke 5: 6) … fish on a stall in the market in Thessaloniki (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Readings, hymns and sermon ideas for Tuesday 1 February 2021, Saint Brigid, Patron of Ireland

Saint Brigid of Kildare … a modern icon

Patrick Comerford

Tuesday 1 February 2022 is the Feast Day of Saint Brigid, one of the three patrons of Ireland – alongside Saint Patrick and Saint Columba – and the patron of the Diocese of Kildare.
The Readings for Saint Brigid’s Day, as adapted for use in the Church of Ireland, are:

The Readings: Hosea 6: 1-4; Psalm 134; I John 1: 1-4; John 10: 7-16

Saint Brigid’s Cathedral in Kildare (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Traditionally, Irish people regard 1 February, the feast of Saint Brigid of Kildare, as the first day of Spring. There is a saying that Irish people start using at this time of the year: ‘There’s a grand stretch in the evening.’

Saint Brigid is a much-neglected saint in the Church of Ireland, although she is one of the three patrons of Ireland, alongside Saint Patrick and Saint Columba, and she gives her name to Saint Brigid’s Cathedral, Kildare.

If that neglect of Saint Brigid in the Church of Ireland is a response to some of the ‘new age’ myths and fantasies that have been created around her life and story, then the Post-Communion prayer for today invites us ‘to lay aside all foolishness and to live and walk in the way of insight.’

For those preparing sermons for Saint Brigid’s Day, three relevant points about Saint Brigid are worth considering:

1, Firstly, there is a lot of legend, a lot of myth, and a lot of ‘New Age’ style writing about Saint Brigid. But, in fact, we know very little about her. Some stories say she was baptised by Saint Patrick. She may have taken her vows as a nun from Saint Mel of Ardagh, who also gave her the authority of an abbot. Some legends say he made her a bishop – the only female bishop in the early church. But whether she was a bishop or not, what we know of her makes her a good model for those who would be shepherds and pastors in the church.

Saint Brigid was buried in Kildare Cathedral, but then, about the year 878, because of the Viking raids, her relics were taken to Downpatrick, where she was buried alongside Saint Patrick and Saint Columba, and they were reinterred in Downpatrick Cathedral in 1186.

The Book of Armagh claims that ‘between Patrick and Brigid, the columns of the Irish, there was so great a friendship of charity that they had but one heart and one mind. Through him and through her Christ performed many miracles.’

But the legendary nature of most of the accounts of her life means there is little we can say with certainty about her life. The earliest Latin ‘life’ of Saint Brigid was written around the year 800, so we can hardly regard it as a primary source.

However, if we confine Brigid to the shelves of ‘New Age’ books in airport shops and supermarkets, alongside crystal healing and Bigfoot, we take from Irish spirituality an interesting role model for women’s ministry.

2, Secondly, Brigid is not marginal: her legacy is part of our shared Irish cultural heritage. Hundreds of placenames in Ireland and Scotland honour her memory – places such as Kilbride, Brideswell, Tubberbride, Templebride, and so on. Several places in Wales are named Llansantaffraid, which means ‘Saint Bride’s Church.’ And in England, there are 19 ancient church dedications to her, including Saint Bride’s, the journalists’ church in Fleet Street, and Bridewell or Saint Bride’s Well, the parish in which Saint Thomas à Becket was born.

Her small foundation in Kildare became a centre of religion and learning that developed into a cathedral city. According to Giraldus Cambrensis, nothing he had seen ever compared with the Book of Kildare, every page of it was so beautifully illuminated. He says the interlaced work and the harmony of the colours left the impression that ‘all this is the work of angelic, and not human skill.’ Various Continental pre-Reformation breviaries commemorate Saint Brigid, and her name is included in a litany in the Stowe Missal.

But the rich insights of the monasteries are not only for men, nor for one tradition on this island; they are part of our shared, common Christian heritage, from long before the Reformation.

3, Thirdly, Saint Brigid is an interesting role model for the full place of women in the ministry and mission of the Church. From the sources for her life, we can see that – despite the legends and the myths – Brigid was celebrated for many reasons:

● She converted to Christianity at great personal cost, giving away her personal and inherited wealth.
● At a young age, she gave her life to God, choosing to serve God and to serve the poor.
● She balanced wisdom and common sense – something most of us find lacking in equal measure, most of the time.
● She was a spiritual guide to both men and women.
● She is known for her humility.
● She served the wider church as the principal pastoral figure in a large geographical area.
● She built the church, laying both the physical and mission foundations.
● She was one of those Celtic saints who insisted that a vital component of the spiritual life is having a soul friend (anam cara).

More than anything else, though, Brigid is known for her hospitality. When the poor and the infirm came to her in their multitudes, she provided for them, tending to the poor, the lowly and the forgotten, living out the Beatitudes. She saw that the needs of the body and the needs of the spirit are inter-twined. And that to me is good enough reason to remember Saint Brigid this morning.

The steeple of Saint Bride’s, Fleet Street, London … inspired the tiered wedding cake (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

The last of the great wandering bards, Antoine Ó Raifteirí (1779-1835), or Raftery the Poet, wrote about the coming of Spring with the coming of Saint Brigid’s Day in words that most Irish schoolchildren can recite:

Anois teacht an earraigh
beidh an lá ag dul chun síneadh,
Is tar éis na féil Bríde
ardóidh mé mo sheol.

Ó chuir mé i mo cheann é
ní chónóidh mé choíche
Go seasfaidh mé síos
i lár Chontae Mhaigh Eo.

I gClár Chlainne Mhuiris
A bheas mé an chéad oíche,
Is i mballa taobh thíos de
A thosóidh mé ag ól.

Go Coillte Mách rachaidh
Go ndéanfadh cuairt mhíosa ann
I bhfogas dhá mhíle
Do Bhéal an Átha Mhóir.

Now at the coming of Spring
the day will be lengthening,
and after Saint Brigid’s Day
I shall raise my sail.

Since I put it into my head
I shall never stay put
until I shall stand down
in the centre of County Mayo.

In Claremorris
I will be the first night,
and in Balla just below it
I will begin to drink.

To Kiltimagh I shall go
until I shall make a month’s visit there
as close as two miles
to Ballinamore.

Saint Brigid’s Cathedral in Kildare (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

John 10: 7-16:

7 So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

11 ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away – and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.’

The west window in Saint Brigid’s Cathedral, Kildare, is dedicated to the three patrons of Ireland – Saint Patrick, Saint Brigid and Saint Columba – and is a memorial to Archbishop Edward Benson of Canterbury (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Liturgical Resources:

Liturgical Colour: White

Penitential Kyries:

O taste and see that the Lord is good;
happy are those who trust in him.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

The Lord ransoms the live of his servants
and none who trust in him will be destroyed.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Come my children, listen to me:
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

The Collect:

Father,
by the leadership of your blessed servant Brigid
you strengthened the Church in this land:
As we give you thanks for her life of devoted service,
inspire us with new life and light,
and give us perseverance to serve you all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Introduction to the Peace:

Peace be to you, and peace to your house, and peace to all who are yours (I Samuel 25: 6).

Preface:

To this land you sent the glorious gospel
through the preaching of Patrick.
You caused it to grow and flourish in the life of your servant Brigid and in
the lives of men and women, filled with your Holy Spirit,
building up your Church to send forth the good news to other places:

Post Communion Prayer:

God of truth,
whose Wisdom set her table and invited us to eat
the bread and drink the wine of the kingdom.
Help us to lay aside all foolishness
and to live and walk in the way of insight,
that in fellowship with all your saints
we may come to the eternal feast of heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing:

God, who in days of old gave to this land the benediction of his holy Church,
fill you with his grace to walk faithfully in the steps of the saints
and to bring forth fruit to his glory:

Saint Brigid’s Well, off the road between Kilcornan and Stonehall, Co Limerick (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Recommended Hymns:

Hosea 6: 1-4:

206, Come, let us to the Lord our God
125, Hail to the Lord’s anointed

Psalm 134:

718, O praise the Lord, ye servants of the Lord
719, Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord

I John 1: 1-4:

349, Fill thou my life, O Lord my God
324, God, whose almighty word
81, Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided
624, Speak, Lord, in the stillness
343, We love the place, O God

John 10: 7-16:

215, Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended
87, Christ is the world's Light, he and none other
92, How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
421, I come with joy, a child of God
655, Loving Shepherd of your sheep
235, O sacred head, sore wounded
438, O thou, who at thy eucharist didst pray
526, Risen Lord, whose name we cherish
20, The King of love my shepherd is

Saint Brigid depicted in a stained-glass window in Saint Patrick’s Church, Waterford (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

Material from the Book of Common Prayer is copyright © 2004, Representative Body of the Church of Ireland.

The hymn suggestions are provided in Sing to the Word (2000), edited by Bishop Edward Darling. The hymn numbers refer to the Church of Ireland’s Church Hymnal (5th edition, Oxford: OUP, 2000).

Saint Brigid depicted in a window in Saint John the Baptist Church, Kilcornan, Co Limerick (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Readings, hymns and sermon ideas for Sunday 30 January 2022, Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, the Presentation of Christ (2 February 2022), and Holocaust Memorial Day

The Presentation or Candlemas … a stained glass window in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Patrick Comerford

Next Sunday, 30 January 2021, is the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany.

The readings in the Revised Common Lectionary as adapted for use in the Church of Ireland for Sunday as the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany are:

The Readings: Ezekiel 43: 27 to 44: 4 or Jeremiah 1: 4-10; Psalm 48; I Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 2: 22-40 or Luke 4: 21-30.

There is a link to the readings HERE.

In addition, the Book of Common Prayer says the Presentation of Christ (2 February) ‘may be observed on the Sunday falling between 28 January and 3 February’ (p. 18; see also p. 31). The Church of England makes a similar provision in Common Worship (p. 534).

The readings for the Feast of the Presentation of Christ are:

Readings: Malachi 3: 1-5; Psalm 24: 1-10 or Psalm 24: 7-10 or Psalm 84; Hebrews 2: 14-18; Luke 2: 22-40.

But only one set of readings should be used next Sunday, and there should not be a ‘pick-and-mix’ approach to selecting the readings.

In other words:

1, If Sunday 30 January 2022 is using the theme of the Presentation, but the Feast of the Presentation is still celebrated on the following Wednesday, these readings should be used: Ezekiel 43: 27 to 44: 4; Psalm 48; I Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 2: 22-40.

2, If Sunday 30 January 2022 is being marked as the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, these readings should be used: Jeremiah 1: 4-10; Psalm 48; I Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 4: 21-30.

3, If the Feast of the Presentation of Christ is being transferred this year from Wednesday 2 February 2022 to Sunday 30 January 2022, these readings should be used: Malachi 3: 1-5; Psalm 24: 1-10 or Psalm 24: 7-10 or Psalm 84; Hebrews 2: 14-18; Luke 2: 22-40.

At each stage, this posting is divided into two parts. The first part looks at the readings and liturgical resources for Sunday next where it is marked as the Feast of the Presentation, with either the provisions transferred from Wednesday or the provisions made for Sunday.

The second part looks at the readings and liturgical resources for Sunday next for parishes where it is marked as the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany.

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Andrea Mantegna (1460), Staatliche Museen, Berlin

PART 1: The Presentation of Christ in the Temple:

Introducing the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, or Candlemas:

The Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, or Candlemas, is the climax of the Christmas and Epiphany season. It is a feast rich in meaning, with several related themes running through it – presentation, purification, meeting, and light for the world.

The various names by which it has been known in the history of the Church serve to illustrate just how much this feast has to teach and to celebrate.

But the true meaning of Candlemas is found in its ‘bitter-sweet’ nature. It is a feast day, and the revelation of the Christ Child in the Temple, greeted by Simeon and Anna, calls for rejoicing.

Nevertheless, the prophetic words of Simeon, who speaks of the falling and rising of many and the sword that will pierce the Virgin Mary’s heart, lead on to the passion and to Easter. Coming at the very end of the Christmas celebration, with Lent close at hand, Candlemas is a real pivot in the Christian year.

Ezekiel 43: 27 to 44: 4:

Ezekiel was a visionary prophet and a priest who spoke before the conquest of Judah in 587 BC, and who continued to speak in exile in Babylon. He seeks to assure the people in exile of God’s abiding presence among them, and he speaks of the importance of the individual relationship with God. His is a message of hope, with the hope that God will restore the people to their homeland and to the Temple.

In this reading, he promises that when the days of exile are over and the new Temple is built, the priests shall offer burnt offerings and peace offerings on behalf of the people that are acceptable to God. The glory of the Lord God so fills the Temple that the prophet falls on his face.

This reading relates to the Gospel reading, where the old Prophet Simeon sees the presence of God in the Temple.

Malachi 3: 1-5:

The Prophet Micah in this reading speaks out ‘against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien,’ and who do not fear the Lord God (Micah 3: 5).

But, oh so often, mothers bear their grief in silence, are reluctant to bare their souls to the Church and Church leaders. So often we can pronounce and preach and teach. But do we always know the suffering in the dark behind closed doors? And do we teach and preach in a way that moves beyond being enlightening to actually bringing the light of hope, the light of the Suffering and Risen Christ to the broken-hearted Marys and Josephs all over this land?

Psalm 48:

Psalm 48 celebrates the beauty of Jerusalem on Mount Zion as the city of God and the joy of all the earth. In the Temple, God is present in his steadfast love, he is to be praised for ever and to the ends of the earth, and for all future generations.

I Corinthians 13: 1-13:

This epistle reading is one of the most popular choices at weddings But in this letter, Saint Paul is telling the Church in Corinth about the love that should be found in the Church.

The Church needs many gifts, including speaking in tongues and the gifts of those who are apostles, prophets and teachers. But he tells them that the most important gift is love, which is the expression in the community of Christ’s love for us. Without love, the other gifts have no meaning and are worthless.

The three gifts of faith, hope and love are all important in the Church, but ‘the greatest of these is love’ (verse 13).

He is ‘a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God’ (Hebrews 2: 17) … an icon of Christ as the great high priest in the parish church in Tsesmes, near Rethymnon (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Hebrews 2: 14-18:

This Epistle reading is a call not just to all in ordained ministry but to all in the Church to be ‘merciful and faithful’ like Christ the ‘high priest in the service of God,’ to be sacrificial in the service of those who are suffering and ‘are being tested’ (see Hebrews 2: 17-18).

The Presentation in the Temple, carved on a panel on a triptych in the Lady Chapel, Lichfield Cathedral (Photograph: Patrick Comerford/Lichfield Gazette)

Luke 2: 22-40:

Eight days after his birth, the Christ Child was circumcised marking him as a member of God’s people. Then 40 days after childbirth, a mother could be purified before a priest in the Temple. She was expected to offer a lamb, along with a turtledove or a pigeon. But if she was poor, two turtledoves or pigeons would suffice. Exodus required that every firstborn boy be consecrated to God (see Exodus 13: 2, 12; Numbers 3: 13). In this episode, the family fulfil the requirements of Mosaic law when they bring the Christ Child up to the Temple in Jerusalem.

Simeon looks forward to the coming of the Messiah to restore Israel to favour with God, the consolation of Israel (παράκλησιν τοῦ Ἰσραήλ, verse 25). The Holy Spirit has rested on Simeon, and has promised him that he will see the Christ before he dies.

Simeon’s words (verse 29-32, 34-35) are paraphrased in the canticle Nunc Dimittis, from its first words in Latin. He begins by saying that God is setting him free, as a slave is granted liberty. Simeon knows now that he is free to die, and the coming salvation is to Israel’s glory but the fulfilment of the promise to all people (see Isaiah 52: 10; Psalm 98: 2).

Simeon blesses the family and tells the Virgin Mary that this Christ Child is destined for death and resurrection (verse 34). He will be opposed by many, so that the inner thoughts of many will no longer be kept secret.

In popular imagery, Simeon’s words are often conflated with earlier words of Zechariah after the birth of his son, Saint John the Baptist:

By the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in the darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way pf peace. (see Luke 1: 78-79).

Like Joseph and Mary, Simeon and Anna stand before God, in God’s presence, in humility and in equality.

This conflation is found in the Introduction to the Peace provided in Common Worship, in the art, in poetry, and in inscriptions on stained-glass windows in churches and cathedrals.

When the family returns to Nazareth, the Child grows and becomes strong, filled with wisdom and the favour of God (verses 39-40), just as at later stage he is to return from Jerusalem with his family to Nazareth, where he increases in years and in divine and human favour (see Luke 2: 51-52).

‘The dawn from on high will break upon us , to give light to those who sit in darkness’ (Luke 2: 78-79) … a January sunrise at the Rectory in Askeaton, Co Limerick (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Reflecting on the Candlemas Gospel reading:

The Feast of the Presentation of Christ has been known to the Church by several names over time, including the Presentation of Christ in the Temple; the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and we talk too of Candlemas, celebrated in many Anglican cathedrals and churches with the Candlemas Procession.

This feast, forty days after Christmas, recalls how the Virgin Mary presents the Christ-Child to the priests in the Temple in Jerusalem. And, because of the family’s poverty, the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph bring two cheap doves or pigeons as their offering.

This is a feast rich in meaning, with several related themes running through it. We have the contrast between the poverty of this family and the richly-endowed Temple; the young Joseph and Mary with their first-born child and the old Simeon and Anna who are probably childless; the provincial home in Nazareth and the urbane sophistication of Jerusalem; the glory of one nation, Israel, and light for all nations, the Gentiles; the birth of a child and the expectation of death; darkness and light; new birth and impending death.

So, Candlemas is a feast day with a ‘bitter-sweet’ nature. It calls for rejoicing with all in the Temple celebrating the hope and the promise that this new child brings. Yet Simeon speaks in prophetic words of the falling and rising of many and the sword that will piece the Virgin Mary’s heart. His words remind us sharply that Christmas is meaningless without the Passion and Easter.

Candlemas is the climax of the Christmas and Epiphany season, the last great festival of the Christmas cycle. As we bring our Christmas celebrations to a close, this day is a real pivotal point in the Christian year, for we now shift from the cradle to the cross, from Christmas to Passiontide – Ash Wednesday and Lent are just four or five weeks away.

In this shift of mood, devotion and liturgy, we take with us the light of Christ, a sure promise that Christ is the eternal light and the salvation of all humanity, throughout all ages.

Traditionally, Candlemas is the final day of the Christmas season. The liturgical colour changes from the White of rejoicing to the Green of ordinary, everyday life. This is the day that bridges the gap between Christmas and Lent, that bridges the gap between a time of celebration and a time of reflection, a time of joy and a time for taking stock once again.

This is an opportunity to take stock of where we are. After two decades of the darkness of recession and austerity, the economists are trying to look for the light at the end of the tunnel.

For many of us, we moved long ago from a time of financial certainty that allowed us to celebrate easily to a time of reflection and uncertainty. Now the debates about ‘Brexit’ and the long-term consequences of isolation during the pandemic leave the majority of people with a new set of anxieties and uncertainties.

The lights of Christmas and its celebrations are dim and distant now, and by this Candlemas most people in Ireland continue to live their very ordinary days with uncertainty, trying to grasp for signs of hope, wondering how long we must remain in the dark.

How Mary must have wept in her heart as in today’s Gospel story the old man Simeon hands back her child and warns her that a sword would pierce her heart (Luke 2: 35).

How many mothers are weeping in their hearts and clinging onto the rock of faith just by the end of their fingertips as their hearts, their souls, are pierced by a sword?

Mothers whose lives were held in slavery by fear (see Hebrews 2: 15).

Mothers who see their special needs children denied special needs assistants in our schools.

Mothers who see their children waiting, waiting too long, for care in our hospitals or to move from the uncertainty of hotel room or hostels to a house and a home.

Mothers who saw their graduate daughters and sons unable to find employment and have still not returned home.

Mothers whose silent weeping is not going to bring home their adult emigrant children and the grandchildren born in Australia or the US.

Mothers whose gay sons and lesbian daughters are beaten up on the streets just for the fun of it and are afraid if they come out that our Church can only offer tea and sympathy, at best, but moralising prejudice most of the time.

Mothers whose husbands are on low pay or dismissed as mere statistics in the figures for poverty.

Mothers whose adult children are caught up in substance abuse and have lost all hope for the future – for a future.

They know what TS Eliot calls ‘the certain hour of maternal sorrow.’ Like the Prophet in his poem A Song for Simeon, they ‘Wait for the wind that chills towards the dead land.’ And they know too how true Simeon’s words are for them this morning: ‘and a sword will pierce your soul too.’

If the Virgin Mary had known what grief would pierce her soul, would she have said ‘Yes’ to the Archangel Gabriel at the Annunciation?

And in the midst of all this heartbreak, these mothers still cling on to the edge of the rock of faith by the edges of their fingernails. Wondering who hears their sobbing hearts and souls.

If they had known what grief would pierce their souls they would still have said yes, because they love their children, and no sword can kill that. They know too their children are immaculate conceptions, for their children too are conceived in a love for their world, our world, that is self-giving and sinless, and they continue to see the reflection and image of Christ in their children as they look into their eyes lovingly. Is that too not a truth and a hope at the heart of the Incarnation?

So often it is difficult to hold on to hope when our hearts are breaking and are pierced. So often it is difficult to keep the lights of our hearts burning brightly when everything is gloomy and getting dark. But Simeon points out that the Christ Child does not hold out any selfish hope for any one individual or one family … he is to be a light to the nations, to all of humanity.

And as our leaders – political, social, economic and financial leaders – search in the dark for the hope that will bring light back into our lives, we can remind ourselves that this search will have no purpose and it will offer no glimmer of hope unless it seeks more than selfish profit. This search must seek the good of all, it must seek to bring hope and light to all, not just here, but to all people and to all nations.

Who will speak out like the Prophet Malachi in the first reading ‘against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien,’ and do not fear the Lord God (Malachi 3: 5)?

But so often these mothers bear their grief in silence, are reluctant to bare their souls to the Church and Church leaders. So often we can pronounce and preach and teach. But do we always know the suffering in the dark behind closed doors? And do we teach and preach in a way that moves beyond being enlightening to actually bringing the light of hope, the light of the Suffering and Risen Christ to the broken-hearted Marys and Josephs all over this land?

Yet the Epistle reading is a call not just to all in the Church to be ‘merciful and faithful’ like Christ the ‘high priest in the service of God,’ to be sacrificial in the service of those who are suffering and ‘are being tested’ (see Hebrews 2: 17-18).

This feast of Candlemas bridges the gap between Christmas and Lent; links the joy of the Christmas candles with the hope of the Pascal candle at Easter; invites us to move from celebration to reflection and preparation, and to think about the source of our hope, our inspiration, our enlightenment.

The candles of Candlemas link the candles of Christmas with Good Friday and with the Easter hope symbolised in the Pascal candle. And so to paraphrase the words of Timothy Dudley-Smith’s hymn that draw on Simeon’s prophetic words in the Canticle Nunc Dimittis, as we watch and wait in our faithful vigil for Christ’s glory in that Easter hope, may our doubting cease, may God’s silent, suffering people find deliverance and freedom from oppression, may his servants find peace, may he complete in us his perfect will.

‘Candlemas 2012’ (York Minster) by Susan Hufton … from the exhibition ‘Holy Writ’ at Lichfield Cathedral (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Luke 2: 22-40 (NRSVA):

22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

29 ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.’

33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

Simeon’s words are paraphrased in the Canticle ‘Nunc Dimittis’, often sung at Choral Evensong

PART 2: The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany:

Jeremiah 1: 4-10:

The people of Israel have strayed from God’s ways, but King Josiah guides the people back to godliness, removing all traces of foreign worship and making Jerusalem the one place of worship.

In this reading, ‘the word of the Lord’ comes to the Prophet Jeremiah, plays a key role in King Josiah’s reforms. God has known Jeremiah since his first moment of existence and even before Jeremiah was born God had consecrated him to serve God as a prophet ‘to the nations’ (verse 5), to ‘nations’ and ‘kingdoms’ (verse 10).

Psalm 48:

Psalm 48 celebrates the beauty of Jerusalem on Mount Zion as the city of God and the joy of all the earth. In the Temple, God is present in his steadfast love, he is to be praised for ever and to the ends of the earth, and for all future generations.

I Corinthians 13: 1-13:

This epistle reading is one of the most popular choices at weddings But in this letter, Saint Paul is telling the Church in Corinth about the love that should be found in the Church.

The Church needs many gifts, including speaking in tongues and the gifts of those who are apostles, prophets and teachers. But he tells them that the most important gift is love, which is the expression in the community of Christ’s love for us. Without love, the other gifts have no meaning and are worthless.

The three gifts of faith, hope and love are all important in the Church, but ‘the greatest of these is love’ (verse 13).

Luke 4: 21-30:

Last Sunday [23 January 2022, the Third Sunday after the Epiphany], the Gospel reading tells of Christ visiting the synagogue in Nazareth on the sabbath, where he reads from the Prophet Isaiah (Luke 4: 14-21, or Luke 4: 14-30).

The long version of last Sunday’s reading included this morning’s reading. In this second part of the story, Christ tells the people that the promises he has read about are fulfilled this day, as they listen to him.

They are amazed, not just at what he says, but also because they remember him living among them as a child (see verse 22).

When Christ reminds that God helps Gentiles as well as Jews, the people are filled with rage (verse 28), drive him out of town, and plan to hurl him off the side of a cliff. But Jesus escapes the mob and he continues on his way, continuing his mission along God’s plan.

Driven out of the synagogue and threatened with death, Christ has three options:

1, to allow himself to be silenced;

2, to keep on preaching in other synagogues, but to never put into practice what he says so that those who are worried have their fears allayed and realise he is no threat;

3, or to preach and to put his teachings into practice, to show that he means what he says, that his faith is reflected in his priorities, to point to what the kingdom of God is truly like.

Christ takes the third option. He brings good news to the poor, he releases this poor captive, he can now see things as they are and as they ought to be, the oppressed may go free and all are amazed.

Jesus in the Synagogue, as imagined by the Northern Ireland-born artist Greg Olsen

Luke 4: 21-30 (NRSVA):

[Jesus read from the Prophet Isaiah.] 21 Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, ‘Is not this Joseph’s son?’ 23 He said to them, ‘Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, “Doctor, cure yourself!” And you will say, “Do here also in your home town the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum”.’ 24 And he said, ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town. 25 But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up for three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; 26 yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27 There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.’ 28 When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. 30 But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

The Presentation in the Temple … a fresco in Analipsi Church in Georgioupoli in Crete (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Liturgical Resources:

PART 1, The Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple:

Liturgical Colour: White.

Bidding Prayer:

The traditional Bidding Prayer for Candlemas says:

Dear friends, forty days ago we celebrated the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now we recall the day on which he was presented in the Temple, when he was offered to the Father and shown to his people.

As a sign of his coming among us, his mother was purified according to the custom of the time, and we now come to him for cleansing. In their old age Simeon and Anna recognised him as their Lord, as we today sing of his glory.

In this Eucharist, we celebrate both the joy of his coming and his searching judgement, looking back to the day of his birth and forward to the coming days of his passion.

So let us pray that we may know and share the light of Christ.

Penitential Kyries:

Lord God, mighty God,
you are the creator of the world.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary,
you are the Prince of Peace.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Holy Spirit,
by your power the Word was made flesh
and came to dwell among us.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

The Collect:

Almighty and everliving God,
clothed in majesty,
whose beloved Son was this day presented in the temple
in the substance of our mortal nature:
May we be presented to you with pure and clean hearts,
by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Collect of the Word:

Almighty and everliving God,
increase in us the gifts of faith, hope and love;
and that we may obtain what you promise,
make us love what you command,
through your Son, Jesus Christ,
our Saviour and Lord.

Introduction to the Peace:

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and his name is called the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9: 7)
(The Book of Common Prayer, the Church of Ireland, p. 234)

or

In the tender mercy of our God
the dayspring from on high has broken upon us,
to give light to those who dwell in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace. (cf Luke 1: 78, 79)
(Common Worship, p 306)

Preface:

You chose the Blessed Virgin Mary
to be the mother of your Son
and so exalted the humble and meek;
your angel hailed her as most high and highly favoured,
and with all generations we call her blessed:
(The Book of Common Prayer, the Church of Ireland, p. 234)

or

And now we give you thanks
because, by appearing in the Temple,
he comes near to us in judgement;
the Word made flesh searches the hearts of all your people,
to bring to light the brightness of your splendour:
(Common Worship, p 306)

Post-Communion Prayer:

God, for whom we wait,
you fulfilled the hopes of Simeon and Anna,
who lived to welcome the Messiah.
Complete in us your perfect will,
that in Christ we may see your salvation,
for he is Lord for ever and ever.

Blessing:

Christ the Son of God, born of Mary,
fill you with his grace
to trust his promises and obey his will:

A detail of Harry Clarke’s ‘Presentation Window’ in Saint Flannan’s Church, Killaloe, Co Clare (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Suitable intercessions:

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

By the mystery of the Word made flesh
Good Lord, deliver us.

By the birth in time of the timeless Son of God
Good Lord, deliver us.

By the baptism of the Son of God in the river Jordan
Good Lord, deliver us.

For the kingdoms of this world,
that they may become the Kingdom of our Lord and Christ
We pray to you, O Lord.

For your holy, catholic and apostolic Church,
that it may be one
We pray to you, O Lord.

For the witness of your faithful people,
that they may be lights in the world
We pray to you, O Lord.

For the poor, the persecuted, the sick and all who suffer;
that they may be relieved and protected
We pray to you, O Lord.

For the aged, for refugees and all in danger,
that they may be strengthened and defended
We pray to you, O Lord.

For those who walk in darkness and in the shadow of death,
that they may come to your eternal light
We pray to you, O Lord.

Father, source of light and life,
Grant the prayers of your faithful people,
and fill the world with your glory, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Presentation depicted in a window in Saint Mary’s Church, Lichfield (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Suggested Hymns:

Ezekiel 43: 27-44:

316, Bright the vision that delighted
670, Jerusalem the golden

Malachi 3: 1-5:

52, Christ, whose glory fills the skies
634, Love divine, all loves excelling
134, Make way, make way, for Christ the King
640, Purify my heart

Psalm 24: 1-10 (or 7-10):

696, God, we praise you! God, we bless you!
266, Hail the day that sees him rise (verses 1, 2)
358, King of glory, King of peace
337, Lift up your heads, O ye gates
131, Lift up your heads, you mighty gates
134, Make way, make way, for Christ the King
488, Stand up, stand up for Jesus
284, The golden gates are lifted up

Psalm 48:

646, Glorious things of thee are spoken
380, God has spoken to his people, alleluia
354, Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise
593, O Jesus, I have promised

Psalm 84:

400, And now, O Father, mindful of the love
333, How lovely are thy dwellings fair!
95, Jesu, priceless treasure
425, Jesu, thou joy of loving hearts
360, Let all the world in every corner sing
634, Love divine, all loves excelling
620, O Lord, hear my prayer
487, Soldiers of Christ, arise
342, Sweet is the solemn voice that calls
343, We love the place, O God

I Corinthians 13: 1-13:

515, ‘A new commandment I give unto you’
86, Christ is the King! O friends, rejoice
520, God is love, and where true love is, God himself is there
89, God is love – his the care
3, God is love: let heaven adore him
312, Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost
523, Help us to help each other, Lord
418, Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face
525, Let there be love shared among us
195, Lord, the light of your love is shining
634, Love divine, all loves excelling
655, Loving Shepherd of your sheep
7, My God, how wonderful thou art
229, My God I love thee; not because
105, O the deep, deep love of Jesus
323, The God of Abraham praise (verses 1, 2, 5)
530, Ubi caritas et amor
531, Where love and loving-kindness dwell

Hebrews 2: 14-18:

212, Jesu, grant me this, I pray
652, Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
635, Lord, be my guardian and my guide
108, Praise to the holiest in the height
114, Thou didst leave thy throne and thy kingly crown
627, What a friend we have in Jesus

Luke 2: 22-40:

119, Come, thou long–expected Jesus
88, Fairest Lord Jesus
691, Faithful vigil ended
191, Hail to the Lord who comes
193, In his temple now behold him
634, Love divine, all loves excelling
472, Sing we of the blessèd mother
203, When candles are lighted on Candlemas Day

‘Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace’ … a window in Saint Bartholomew’s Church, Ballsbridge, Dublin (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Liturgical Resources:

PART 2, The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany.

Liturgical Colour: White.

The Penitential Kyries (Epiphany):

God be merciful to us and bless us,
and make his face to shine on us.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

May your ways be known on earth,
your saving power to all nations.

Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

You, Lord, have made known your salvation,
and reveal your justice in the sight of the nations.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

The Collect:

Creator God,
who in the beginning
commanded the light to shine out of darkness:
We pray that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ
may dispel the darkness of ignorance and unbelief,
shine into the hearts of all your people,
and reveal the knowledge of your glory
in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Collect of the Word:

Almighty and everliving God,
increase in us the gifts of faith, hope and love;
and that we may obtain what you promise,
make us love what you command,
through your Son, Jesus Christ,
our Saviour and Lord.

Introduction to the Peace:

Our Saviour Christ is the Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there shall be no end. (cf Isaiah 9: 6, 7)

Preface:

For Jesus Christ our Lord
who in human likeness revealed your glory,
to bring us out of darkness
into the splendour of his light:

The Post-Communion Prayer:

Generous Lord,
in word and Eucharist we have proclaimed
the mystery of your love.
Help us so to live out our days
that we may be signs of your wonders in the world;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

The Blessing:

Christ the Son be manifest to you,
that your lives may be a light to the world:

‘The Presentation in the Temple’ … a window by James Watson in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Murroe, Co Limerick (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Suggested Hymns:

Jeremiah 1: 4-10:

No hymns recommended

Psalm 48:

646, Glorious things of thee are spoken
380, God has spoken to his people, alleluia
354, Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise
593, O Jesus, I have promised

I Corinthians 13: 1-13:

515, ‘A new commandment I give unto you’
86, Christ is the King! O friends, rejoice
520, God is love, and where true love is, God himself is there
89, God is love – his the care
3, God is love: let heaven adore him
312, Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost
523, Help us to help each other, Lord
418, Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face
525, Let there be love shared among us
195, Lord, the light of your love is shining
634, Love divine, all loves excelling
655, Loving Shepherd of your sheep
7, My God, how wonderful thou art
229, My God I love thee; not because
105, O the deep, deep love of Jesus
323, The God of Abraham praise (verses 1, 2, 5)
530, Ubi caritas et amor
531, Where love and loving-kindness dwell

Luke 4: 21-30:

218, And can it be that I should gain
494, Beauty for brokenness
501, Christ is the world’s true light
119, Come, thou long-expected Jesus
380, God has spoken to his people, alleluia!
125, Hail to the Lord’s anointed
569, Hark my soul, it is the Lord
124, Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes
357, I’ll praise my maker while I’ve breath
97, Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
99, Jesus, the name high over all
134, Make way, make way, for Christ the King
706, O bless the God of Israel
104, O for a thousand tongues to sing
605, Will you come and follow me

The Jewish Holocaust Memorial on Platia Eleftherias near the port in Thessaloniki … in July 1942, all the men in the Jewish community aged from 18 to 45 were rounded up in this square for deportation (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Holocaust Memorial Day:

On Sunday next (30 January), many churches throughout the Anglican Communion are also marking Holocaust Memorial Day, which falls on 27 January.

On Sunday, you may prefer to reflect on readings in the light of Holocaust Memorial Day. This day recalls the millions of people killed in the Holocaust, the Nazi Persecution and in later genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. The date was chosen because 27 January marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.

A resource is available for use by churches, clergy and individual Christians to observe Holocaust Memorial Day 2021, produced by the Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) with the support of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT).

It is designed for use in a worship setting on Holocaust Memorial Day It is not a complete service but includes a suggested liturgy for an act of commemoration within Christian worship. Commentaries are provided on the readings set for Sunday 23 January 2022, referencing the theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 of ‘One Day.’

The Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 resources on the CCJ website are HERE.

You can download the Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 resource for worship and liturgy from the CCJ website HERE.

Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is a day for everyone to remember the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, and the millions of people killed under Nazi persecution, and in the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.

Thousands of local events and activities take place throughout these islands every year – each one an opportunity for people to reflect on those whose lives were changed beyond recognition, and to challenge prejudice, discrimination, and hatred in our own society today.
The resource includes materials that can be used in a liturgy of remembrance, written by contributors from across the UK and from a variety of Christian denominations. There are poems, an exposition on the Scripture readings for the Sunday preceding HMD (Sunday 23 January 2022), prayers, a litany written by members of CCJ’s Yad Vashem Alumni Group, and a reflection on one day in the life of Jane Haining, a Scottish ‘Righteous Among the Nations’.

Thousands of local events and activities take place throughout these islands every year – each one an opportunity for people to reflect on those whose lives were changed beyond recognition, and to challenge prejudice, discrimination, and hatred in our own society today.

In Ireland, the Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration is firmly established in the national calendar and – outside times of Covid restrictions – it takes place in Dublin every year on the Sunday nearest to 27 January, the date of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The event cherishes the memory of the people who perished in the Holocaust and recalls the millions of men, women and children who were persecuted and murdered by the Nazis because of their ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliations or religious beliefs.

Holocaust Memorial Day is an opportunity to reflect on issues raised by the Holocaust and all genocides, and to reflect especially on the fate of European Jewry. Christians have been among the perpetrators of genocide, as well as among the bystanders, and indeed the victims.

Holocaust Memorial Day gives us cause to remember the reality that evil is still powerful in our world. It can strengthen our resolve to protect every community from discrimination, intimidation and violence.

Hope against adversity … a fading rose on the fence at Auschwitz-Birkenau; behind is one of the concentration camp watchtowers and a train wagon (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Additional hymns:

Additional hymns that might be appropriate for Holocaust Memorial Day include:

323, The God of Abraham praise
361, Now thank we all our God.
347, Children of Jerusalem
599, ‘Take up thy cross,’ the Saviour said

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

Material from The Book of Common Prayer (the Church of Ireland, 2004) is copyright © Representative Body of the Church of Ireland 2004.

Material from Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000.

The hymn suggestions are provided in Sing to the Word (2000), edited by Bishop Edward Darling. The hymn numbers refer to the Church of Ireland’s Church Hymnal (5th edition, Oxford: OUP, 2000).

Readings, hymns and sermon ideas for Tuesday 25 January 2022, The Conversion of Saint Paul

The Conversion of Saint Paul … a modern icon

Patrick Comerford

Next Tuesday, 25 January 2022, is the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul.

The readings for this festival in the Revised Common Lectionary, as adapted for use in the Church of Ireland, are:

The Readings: Jeremiah 1: 4-10; Psalm 67; Acts 9: 1-22; Matthew 19: 27-30.

Saint Paul (left) and Saint Peter (right) in windows in the west porch in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Skibbereen, Co Cork (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2021)

Introducing the Festival:

The Conversion of Saint Paul is celebrated throughout the Church – in the Anglican, Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Orthodox traditions on 25 January.

This festival recalls the Conversion of Saul of Tarsus while he was engaged in the brutal persecution of the early Christians. This day also marks the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul recalls the Conversion of Saul of Tarsus while he was engaged in the brutal persecution of the early Christians. This momentous event has inspired great works of art and music, including not one but two paintings by Caravaggio (1571-1610) and great choral and musical compositions.

In popular conversation, this event means that when people talk about a ‘Road to Damascus’ experience, even outside the Christian context, they are talking about a sudden conversion of heart or change of mind.

The Acts of the Apostles (Acts 9: 1-22) recalls that while Saul was on the road to Damascus to persecute the Christian community there, he was blinded by a brilliant light, fell to the ground and heard the voice of Christ saying: ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? … I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.’

Saul is taken by the hand and led to a house in Damascus, where he locks himself away for three days while he is without sight, neither eating nor drinking. But there he is visited and attended to by Ananias, who lays hands on him and prays that he should be filled with the Holy Spirit and regain his vision.

Saul’s sight is restored, and he is baptised; Saul of Tarsus becomes Paul the Apostle, and he goes on to be one of the principal founding figures in Early Christianity.

Given the magnitude of Saint Paul’s transgressions and his violent attempts to completely eradicate Christianity, his dramatic conversion experience teaches us that no sinner is beyond forgiveness, no matter how terrible those sins may appear to be.

It calls on us to be constantly aware of the challenges and calls from God that we will receive throughout our ministry and mission, those calls to new journeys and pilgrimages even at times – especially at times – when we are too confident and too self-assured, when we pretend to ourselves and others that our blind prejudices are religious certainties rather than accepting that they may be tearing the Body of Christ apart.

Saint Paul preaching in Athens … a panel on the Comerford Pulpit formerly in Carlow Cathedral (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Saint Paul and Christian Unity:

For over 100 years, this day has also marked the end of the eight days of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, running from 18 January to 25 January.

The two early promoters of this week were both named Paul: the Anglican Father Paul Wattson, co-founder of the Society of the Atonement, or the Graymoor Franciscan Friars, and the Roman Catholic Abbé Paul Coutrier of Lyons, who has been called ‘the spiritual father of ecumenism.’

The Apostle Paul constantly tells us that there is only one Lord, one Faith and one Baptism (Ephesians 4: 5). He tells us that in Christ ‘there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female’ (Galatians 3: 28; see I Corinthians 12: 13, Colossians 3: 11).

This day – the Conversion of Saint Paul – constantly calls us to new and ever-renewing conversions, to abandon our old prejudices, and to work constantly for unity of the Body of Christ.

The Apostle Paul’s entire life is explained in terms of one experience – his meeting with Christ on the road to Damascus. Although he had a zealot’s hatred for Christ, who was just a few years older than him, Saint Paul probably never saw Jesus before the Ascension. Yet he was determined in chasing down the followers of Christ: ‘entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment’ (Acts 8: 3b).

Saint Paul, who was blind in his prejudice, is blinded so that he can have a new vision. He is imprisoned so that he can bring his great message to the world. And the magnitude of his sins, including his attempts to wipe out Christianity completely, show us clearly that no matter how terrible the sin may be any sinner may be forgiven.

In the same way, the Apostle Peter’s denial of Christ – three times during his Passion – did not put him beyond the forgiveness and love of Christ. Saint Peter too, in an effort to save his own skin, denied he knew the prisoner, but became a prisoner himself and a martyr for Christ.

No matter what our failings and our weaknesses, no matter where our blind spots may be, Christ calls us – not once but constantly – to turn around, to turn towards him, to turn our lives around, to turn them over to him.

Instead of his persecution, Saint Paul is remembered as the first and greatest missionary.

Instead of his three denials, Saint Peter is remembered for his confession of faith, his acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah or the Christ, recorded in the three synoptic Gospels (Matthew 16: 13-20; Mark 8: 13-20; Luke 9: 18-20). That Confession of Saint Peter was marked many Church calendars the previous Tuesday [18 January 2022].

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – or rather, the Octave of Christian Unity – from 18 to 25 January, linking those two feasts, was first suggested in 1908 by an American Episcopalian or Anglican monk, Father Paul Wattson, who was the superior of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, and who reintroduced Franciscan life to the Anglican Communion.

Appropriately, the icon of Christian Unity in the Eastern Orthodox tradition shows Peter and Paul embracing – almost wrestling – arms around each other, beards so close they are almost inter-twining. Every time I see this icon, I think of Psalm 133:

How very good and pleasant it is
when [brothers] live together in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down over the collar of his robes.
It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
life for evermore.

So, despite many readings of the New Testament, especially the Acts of the Apostles, that see Saint Peter and Saint Paul in conflict with each other rather than complementing each other, they can be models for Church Unity.

Without that unity in the Early Church, its mission would have been hamstrung and hampered. For without unity there can be no effective mission, as the great Edinburgh Missionary Conference realised in 1910. And so the modern ecumenical movement has real roots in the mission of the Church.

The Apostle Peter and the Apostle Paul in a fresco in the Church of the Four Martyrs, Rethymnon (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Acts 9: 1-22 (NRSVA):

1 Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ 5 He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ 7 The men who were travelling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. 8Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ He answered, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ 11 The Lord said to him, ‘Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.’ 13 But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.’ 15 But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; 16 I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’ 17 So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’ 21 All who heard him were amazed and said, ‘Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?’ 22 Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.

Matthew 19: 27-30 (NRSVA):

27 Then Peter said in reply, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?’ 28 Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

The Apostle Peter and the Apostle Paul holding the church in unity … an early 18th century icon in the Museum of Christian Art in Iraklion, Crete (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Liturgical Resources:

Liturgical Colour: White

Penitential Kyries:

Lord, you are gracious and compassionate.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

You are loving to all,
and your mercy is over all your creation.

Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Your faithful servants bless your name,
and speak of the glory of your kingdom.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Collect:

O God,
who caused the light of the Gospel
to shine throughout the world
through the preaching of tour servant Saint Paul:
Grant that we who celebrate his wonderful conversion
may follow him in bearing witness to your truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Introduction to the Peace:

We are fellow citizens with the saints
and of the household of God,
through Christ our Lord,
who came and preached peace to those who were far off
and those who were near. (Ephesians 2: 19, 17)

Preface:

In the saints
you have given us an example of godly living,
that, rejoicing in their fellowship,
we may run with perseverance the race that is set before us,
and with them receive the unfading crown of glory:

Post Communion Prayer:

Gracious God,
you filled your apostle Paul with love for all the churches.
May this sacrament which we have received
foster love and unity among your people.
This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing:

God give you grace
to share the inheritance of Paul and of his saints in glory:

The Apostle Paul’s sermon inscribed on a plaque at the Areopagus in Athens (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Recommended Hymns:

Jeremiah 1: 4-10:

10, All my hope on God is founded
631, God be in my head
589, Lord, speak to me, that I may speak
597, Take my life, and let it be

Psalm 67:

695, God of mercy, God of grace

Acts 9: 1-22

642, Amazing grace (how sweet the sound!)
218, And can it be that I should gain
643, Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
501, Christ is the world’s true Light
610, Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life
460, For all your saints in glory
13, God moves in a mysterious way
94, In the name of Jesus
581, I, the Lord of sea and sky
588, Light of the minds that know him
589, Lord, speak to me, that I may speak
195, Lord, the light of your love is shining
591, O happy day that fixed my choice
594, O Lord of creation, to you be all praise!
625, Prayer is the soul's sincere desire
488, Stand up, stand up for Jesus
597, Take my life, and let it be
660, Thine for ever! God of love
115, Thou art the Way: to thee alone
605, Will you come and follow me

Matthew 19: 27-30:

147, Angels, from the realms of glory
97, Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
597, Take my life, and let it be
662, Those who would valour see (He who would valiant be)

Saint Paul in a stained glass window in Saint Martin within Ludgate, London … the church is in the patronage of the Chapter of Saint Paul’s Cathedral (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

Material from The Book of Common Prayer (the Church of Ireland, 2004) is copyright © Representative Body of the Church of Ireland 2004.

Material from Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000.

The hymn suggestions are provided in Sing to the Word (2000), edited by Bishop Edward Darling. The hymn numbers refer to the Church of Ireland’s Church Hymnal (5th edition, Oxford: OUP, 2000).

Saint Paul’s Church, Cahir, Co Tipperary, is one of a handful of churches in Ireland designed by the Regency architect John Nash (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)