Scripture Reflections Seeking Understanding

This Sunday we take a step back from last week's Gospel reading and listen more closely to an account of Jesus' presentation in the Temple. In the first reading from the prophet Malachi, we get a brief chemistry lesson about the purification of noble metals - of how an alkali will strip impurities out of molten silver and gold - a metaphor for the much-needed purification of the Temple, and by extension the people of God. The Lord will enter the Temple like fire, leaving no-one standing, and reform the people to the law, Malachi declares.  In comparison, Jesus' presentation in the Temple seems tame. Here is an infant, a vulnerable child brought to the Temple to fulfil the law. He is embraced by Simeon and Anna, and Simeon is bold enough to bless God not only for revealing the saviour of Israel, but the light that will bring all nations to know and love God.  Malachi railed against the Jews tarnishing the Covenant by embracing and marrying the pagans, but Simeon - an uprigh...

In filmmaking there is a technique known as the Hitchcock effect, in which the camera zooms out on a subject at the same time that it moves closer on a rail. The visual effect is that the subject always remains in focus, while the background changes. The story-telling effect is that it forces the audience's attention onto a particular plot point or realisation.  At the beginning of Luke's account of the Gospel we hear the story of Jesus' nativity, in which he is acclaimed by heaven as the saviour of the world.  Next we hear the account of Jesus' presentation in the Temple in Jerusalem - to the Jewish community the dwelling place of God on earth. In this story the prophet Simeon again acclaims Jesus as the consolation and salvation of Israel.  And then in this Sunday's Gospel we see Jesus the man stand up in the synagogue in Nazareth, among His own community, and announce Himself.  "He has sent me to bring the Good News!" From the hosts of heaven, to the pr...

 In this Sunday's Gospel we hear the story of the wedding at Cana - the story of Jesus' first miracle. In the first chapter of John's Gospel we hear John the Baptist acclaim Jesus as the Lamb of God - a theological title that identifies Jesus from the very beginning of the story as one destined to effect our salvation. Immediately two of John's disciples leave John to follow Jesus. The very next day Jesus calls two more disciples of his own. Then the day after that we see Jesus and Mary in Cana.  John acclaims Jesus, Andrew calls Him the Messiah, Nathaniel calls Him the Son of God and then Jesus Himself performs a miracle that saves a newlywed couple from humiliation. Talk about hitting the ground running! (Or at least about the writer of John's Gospel making his point with a sledgehammer.) For many years I have heard this story and heard reflections about Mary and how she drew Jesus into revealing His glory. But this time around something else has struck me.  From ...

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, an event that tradition tells us took place in the Jordan river in a place that now lies within the Kingdom of Jordan. Having had the privilege of visiting this place, I was struck by just how unimpressive and ordinary it is. Don't get me wrong, there is great wonder in the dry, desert landscape and the abundant life that dwells there. And people of faith have built basilica churches and amenities for those who come to this site to encounter the Gospel more fully. But the place itself was not chosen for its breathtaking beauty or grandeur.  The water is muddy, the banks are surrounded by thorny scrub, and at times the water level is so low that the word river itself seems generous.  And when I compare it with the elaborate preparation that often goes into baptisms today, embroidered gowns, handcrafted candles, and photography and videography that would rival mum and dad's own wedding day, it jars me a bit.  I won...