There is a singular focus to today’s biblical texts. It concerns being in God’s company, while being graced to fulfil our daily mission in faith and practice.

Joy and rejoicing are Isaiah’s topic. For him, life finds its true expression in the person who knows what it means to be a child of God. And this is not just a spiritual concept.

To Isaiah’s way of thinking, our bodies must be vitally involved. For in that way, we can show the world that we are actively pursuing a style of life that, in everything we say and do, will reflect the Almighty’s presence.

In Paul’s message to the Galatians, his final address to the churches of Galatia is a nicely honed, impressive statement. At its heart is the cross and its significance for Paul’s life, something the letter’s recipients also need to comprehend for themselves. And it is the body’s part in this that is also emphasised.
For we are all thought to be walking in the shadow of Christ’s cross, and to be doing so in a spirited and uplifting manner. This is the gracious sentiment with which Paul signs off the letter.

Today, sending out the seventy in Luke relates at some length what the mission will entail. Their work is a participation in the coming of God’s kingdom. By implementing what Jesus himself had been doing, his disciples will find success, and return with great rejoicing. But as is made clear, that joy must be genuine. So, rather than gloating over their success, Jesus advises them to let it reflect the great achievements of their missionary vocation, and duly bear witness to the presence of the heavenly kingdom.

By means of these readings, we come to know what we are called to be as genuine children of God.

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After a series of Sunday feasts, we now return to a more ordinary sequence of Sunday observance. And so these Scripture passages centre us on our everyday faith world.  

Isaiah’s message is one of hope and joy-filled expectation. At the heart of his prophetic words is great trust in the power of God to restore his people to happier times. And so what he proclaims in these verses is a promise that Israel will be given a new form of life. Much rejoicing and a renewed understanding of all that truly binds God’s people together will visibly confirm the reality of the promise.  

That vibrant sense of community is also evident in the almost hymnic words Paul addresses to the Corinthians. His use of repetition drives home the point that all, with their individual gifts, contribute to the well-being of the Church’s life. That variety in unity, especially under the power of the Holy Spirit, is a genuine sign of God’s plan at work among his people. And we today rightly participate in that vision through communion of life and our giftedness made visible to the world around us.  

Found only in John’s Gospel, the Wedding Feast of Cana event speaks to a similar expression of joyous communion. And, in addition, it proclaims the superabundant grace that the Lord Jesus bestows on the family of the Church. Every character present in this Gospel episode demonstrates what it means to play a personal part in gathering and rejoicing together, whatever the occasion may be.  

Interestingly, each of today’s biblical authors orients our thoughts in a certain direction. Fundamentally, then, each one leads us to contemplate what it is that makes us a communion of gifted believers who have received much, and are sent forth to share that richness with the community at large.  

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For this Sunday and its feast, the biblical texts have a really distinctive focus. And that helps us better picture the initial phase of Jesus’ mission and ministry.  

First of all, Isaiah voices words of comfort and consolation for Israel at a difficult time in their history. For him, this is his vocation, to proclaim a smooth path ahead. His view of the future is heartening, because in it the Lord God will make his presence a refreshing experience for his people. In saying these things, Isaiah wants to highlight the good news that is being announced afresh. Through Isaiah, God therefore assures Israel that he will take care of them and guide them into a new era.  

The reading from Titus declares that the saving work of Jesus Christ stands at the centre of all that we profess. And it is because of such wondrous action that we should not hesitate to give the glory to Jesus as our saviour. The manner of these words from Titus therefore makes it clear that we are called to do two things. We are to honour both the merciful hand of God at work in the Church, and the work of the Holy Spirit that enlivens and empowers that Church.  

The brevity of Luke’s version of Jesus’ baptism by John takes the focus off the Baptist’s actions, and instead emphasises what happens afterwards. For that is when the Holy Spirit appears, and God’s voice affirms who Jesus is and what great things lie ahead. Jesus’ mission and ministry are therefore given a public and official stamp of approval.  

With readings like these, today’s celebration takes on a different kind of emphasis. For Luke, the beginning of Jesus’ saving work plainly brings to fulfilment what the other two biblical authors proposed.  

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This feast’s word of the day is “epiphany”, a word that comes from the ancient Greek language. It indicates the act of showing or revealing something. The function of these readings, therefore, aids a deeper understanding of why the birth of Jesus is such an important event.  

Starting with Isaiah makes us think about the nature of his words. Their key image is the great light that will envelop all the earth and dispel the darkness that has held it captive. This is a hopeful, uplifting message of future gladness. Its forward-looking outlook prepares us to welcome the most precious gift that the Lord can offer to all peoples on earth. So, Isaiah’s line of thought here opens up the prospect of that looming historical moment when all will be revealed.  

The verses taken from Ephesians add to that sense of the dawning of a new era. For this Pauline text speaks of the mystery that came to be fully revealed in the person of Christ Jesus, along with the Gospel he preached and enacted. Of great significance here is what is to be revealed. It is something for all humankind, both Jews and Gentiles, to ponder and recognise as a unique gift of spiritual insight.  

Matthew’s unique narrative recounting the visit of the foreigners from the East, that is the Magi, adds further significance to the Christ-child’s birth. Providentially guided by the light of a bright star, their arrival in Bethlehem and then swift departure, herald the importance of their visit. The precious gifts they offered the child Jesus highlight this birth’s universal significance.  

These readings appropriately signal the essence of this festal celebration. As privileged members of the faith community, we rightly accept the joyful call to proclaim this message of Good News.  

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Today’s feast, with its special readings, reminds us that, as people of faith, we belong to a long, revealing story of God’s presence among us.  

The text from First Samuel introduces us to Hannah, and her simple trust that God will hear her heartfelt prayer for a son. And at that son’s birth, Hannah acknowledges that he is a precious gift, so much so that she offers him back to the Lord to do whatever he wills with him. Thus, Samuel becomes a key player in the evolving story of God’s plan, recorded throughout the Bible.  

What we hear next in 1 John sets our sights on Jesus, the Son of God, who, in his earthly life, taught his followers to live according to the commandment of love. This biblical author is therefore directing us to be loyal children of God who have been initiated into a deep spiritual bond with the heavenly Father. Everything about our lives is thus cast in the light of a lasting awareness of the divine presence that accompanies us.  

For our enlightenment, Luke’s Gospel story paints an interesting picture of the adolescent Jesus within the context of his relationship with Mary and Joseph. Seeing Jesus sitting among the teachers in the temple, instead of returning home to Nazareth with his parents, foreshadows his mission as God the Father’s unique agent. And a bit later, after exchanging frank words – and perhaps somewhat surprisingly – Jesus obediently accompanies his parents to Nazareth to mature in their care.  

Through these readings, it is the biblical view of family, and God’s part in the well-being of family members, that leaps from the pages of Scripture. This Holy Family image is one that we need to take to heart in order to live the kind of life God wills us to lead.  

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Evident in these Scripture texts is an emphasis on completeness and the fulfilment that comes of that.  

 The instructions given in the passage from Deuteronomy capture the essence of biblical faith, and the prayerfulness with which each believer should conduct daily life. In short, it is the latter few verses of today’s text that offer up the prayer (in Hebrew called the Shema) that all Israel are to recite at the beginning and end of each day. This call to full commitment is a reminder to us of our own needed participation in the faith on which our Christian vocation is built.  

The author of the second reading from Hebrews emphasises the powerful central role that Jesus the High Priest plays in our faith. In a unique action, he gave his life for us all, and so saved us from our sins in a way that no other known high priest could do. As our heavenly, eternal high priest, Jesus is awaiting our full compliance while we make our way towards the eternal reward prepared for each one of us.  

When Jesus responds to one of the scribes in Mark, we hear a direct and emphatic repetition of the Shema prayer that underpins all faith. But God is not alone in being honoured in this moment. For here Jesus adds in the command to love our neighbours as we would ourselves. In this Gospel text, then, we hear that love for God and neighbour go hand in hand. And in this way, we who are Christian know ourselves to be truly grounded in Israel’s faith.  

 These three readings are, therefore, cause for some profound reflection on the degree of commitment we give to the biblical commands spoken to us across the books that make up the Old and New Testaments.  

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The thoughts expressed by today’s biblical authors help us visualise the power of God at work in our world. With this kind of focus, we quickly discern the precious nature of the faith we share.

The voice of Isaiah in the first reading orients us to an understanding of the prophet’s role in announcing God’s special presence among his people. The imagery he uses captures a vivid sense of what God, in all his goodness, has prepared for those who put their trust in him. The bleak outlook that had dogged Israel is, therefore, due to disappear before their very eyes.

All sorts of afflicted people (and the places they inhabit) are set for a radical transformation, which will be a visible sign that God is the saviour of the world.

In James today, there is also a visual perspective. Addressing his Christian brothers and sisters, he reminds them that, in their treatment of one another, they should be wary of a certain bias. And that is why James contrasts conflicting attitudes towards the rich and the poor.

In short, since all are children of God’s kingdom, it is everyone’s responsibility to honour all its members with equal respect and esteem.

The description of Jesus’ hands-on ministry in the Gospel text from Mark is also visually-oriented. The cure of the deaf man is told with incredible detail. Jesus’ physical encounter with the man, through touch and spit, is graphic. Yet his command to the man is simple, short and instantly effective. This is a true sign of Jesus’ power and saving presence in the midst of the
most needy.

These readings sit well together. They draw us in and greatly encourage us as we each fulfil our mission of promoting the Good News of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.

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The tenor of these biblical texts is similar to that of the readings of last week. The authors are different, but their focus is on the way in which we conduct ourselves in our everyday lives. 

In Deuteronomy, the repeated vocabulary is oriented towards a proper appreciation of the human-divine relationship. The biblical author is rightly concerned to impress upon us that all statutes, ordinances and commandments are a guide. They help us lead the kind of life that has been lovingly decreed for us while we honour the Lord as our God. Interestingly, the lectionary text concludes by noting that the divine instructions are to be carried out today. In our reception of what the Lord has to say to us, the present moment is, therefore, vitally important. 

For James, acknowledging God’s presence in our lives is a must. The divine Word we hear is spoken to help us live grounded in sound conduct and proper concern for the good of our brothers and sisters. As James expresses it, we are called not only to pay attention to God’s Word, but also to act upon it. This kind of instruction clearly intends to ensure we remain dedicated to the holy life willed by God the Father. 

Central to the passage from Mark’s Gospel is the call to align ourselves with the teaching of Jesus. This call comes in the wake of the controversy sparked by the Pharisees and Scribes. They have failed to recognise the deeper significance of Jesus’ bonds with his disciples. Therefore, the heart is given extra-special importance. For it is out of someone’s deep experience of the divine that due observance of God’s commandments and right behaviour flow. 

Clearly, today’s readings present the standard by which we are to measure our daily lives. Knowing our religious duties, we consciously choose which direction our lives take. 

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Today’s Scripture passages make sense when we view them with eyes of faith. For at their heart lies a message that invites us to respond to what is revealed through each biblical author. 

Joshua’s carefully crafted words open up the choice every believer must make. The relationship that Israel’s God has forged with his people demands commitment. Therefore, all who are members of God’s holy people are obliged to adhere to whatever distinguishes them from other groups. That is why Joshua repeatedly uses the word “serve” to signal the degree of commitment it takes in order to belong to the group. 

The advice Paul offers in Ephesians acts in a fashion similar to Joshua’s verses. But here it is the relationship with Christ that is central. All within the Church are bound together in a like-minded undertaking. As a communion of persons, whoever they may be, every member’s duty is to care for and respect one another. In faith, this connectedness thus reminds us to be constantly attentive to our mutual needs and so build up the example set by the Church. 

At the end of chapter six in John’s Gospel, the words uttered by Jesus are somewhat challenging. In essence, they ask everyone who is listening to decide whether they want to be genuine members of Jesus’ band of disciples. Simon Peter’s response to Jesus’ challenge comes as a clear expression of faith in the spirit and power of what he has just heard. For all of us, the key to the future is revealed through Jesus. 

The message delivered to us in Joshua, Ephesians and John is really quite a simple one. If, in faith, we know to what we belong, then day by day we are duty-bound to act according to the demands of being a communion of believers. 

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This special day of celebration in New Zealand honours Our Lady’s Assumption into heaven. And the readings fittingly prepare us to grasp the significance of this feast.

The heavenly scene in today’s text from the book of Revelation indicates that the setting is none other than God’s domain. From there, God rules absolutely everything. And the woman standing at its centre is a treasured figure. She and her child are, without question, essential to the kingdom being revealed. Her offspring is the Messiah exercising supreme authority in heaven and on earth. This woman is our mother too.
Having taken her place alongside her enthroned son, her status within our faith tradition is utterly special.

Paul’s keenly-honed words to the church of Corinth sum up the significance of the risen Christ and his human lineage. They highlight the powerful impact of Christ’s coming to birth as one like us. And even though his mother is not mentioned, the early Church would have recognised in her the holy one who gave birth to the Christ child destined to be hailed king of heaven and earth.

When today in Luke, Mary is greeted by Elizabeth, she is heralded as the mother of the Lord. And her song in response praises God, the source of all blessing. What is therefore revealed early in Luke’s Gospel is Mary’s role in the most extraordinary event of human history. Her place in the early Church’s life necessarily takes on a superior significance. By her noted holiness and commitment to her son, she outranks all ordinary
human beings. So, this Gospel moment is a truly striking witness to her unique standing in our faith tradition.

On this day marking Mary’s Assumption into heaven, our esteem for her is naturally heightened. She ranks highly because of who she is to us

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