3rd April 2020
We continue our ‘Reading Matthew in Lent’ series today by reading Chapter 23 of St Matthew’s Gospel.
As the crowds in Jerusalem gather around Jesus he speaks of the Scribes and Pharisees in a series of seven ‘woes’ which condemn them for their hypocrisy and double standards. The chapter ends with Jesus lamenting for Jerusalem itself.
2nd April 2020
We continue our ‘Reading Matthew in Lent’ series today by reading Chapter 22 of St Matthew’s Gospel.
Jesus continues to teach the crowds in a variety of ways. Through the parable of the wedding feast where many are called but few are chosen. In response to questions about paying taxes to Caesar and about the nature of the resurrection. A lawyer then asks Jesus which is the greatest commandment.
1st April 2020
We continue our ‘Reading Matthew in Lent’ series today by reading the second part of Chapter 21 of St Matthew’s Gospel.
In the second parable of the vineyard Jesus speaks about the tenants who reject the servants of the owner and finally take and kill the son.
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31st March 2020
We continue our ‘Reading Matthew in Lent’ series today by reading the first part of Chapter 21 of St Matthew’s Gospel.
As Jesus approaches Jerusalem he makes preparation for his entry. The crowd welcome him with shouting and by waving branches. He enters the Temple and overturns the tables of the money-changers and them heals the blind and the lame. Jesus tells the first of two parables about a vineyard where he speaks of tax collectors and prostitutes entering the kingdom of heaven because they respond to God’s mercy.
30th March 2020
We continue our ‘Reading Matthew in Lent’ series today by reading Chapter 20 of St Matthew’s Gospel.
Jesus tells the parable of the labourers in the vineyard to show that the last shall be first. For the third time he foretells his own death and resurrection. In response to request from the mother of two of the disciples Jesus says that the Son of Man can not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
27th March 2020
We continue our ‘Reading Matthew in Lent’ series today by reading Chapter 19 of St Matthew’s Gospel.
In the crowds which follow Jesus there are those, the Pharisees, who are seeking to test him with questions on divorce, and those who seek to learn from Jesus, such as the rich young man who despite his keeping the commandments find Jesus’ invitation to sell all his possessions hard to follow. At the heart of the chapter Jesus blesses children of whom he says the kingdom of heaven belongs.
26th March 2020
We continue our ‘Reading Matthew in Lent’ series today by reading Chapter 18 of St Matthew’s Gospel.
The chapter begins with Jesus’ invitation to become like children to enter the kingdom of heaven. He has harsh warnings for those who succumb to temptation but contrasts this with God’s mercy in the parable of the Lost Sheep. The chapter ends with Jesus speaking of the need for forgiveness from the heart.
25th March 2020
We continue our ‘Reading Matthew in Lent’ series today by reading Chapter 17 of St Matthew’s Gospel.
Jesus goes up a high mountain with Peter, James and John. There he is transfigured and appears with Moses and Elijah.
When they come down Jesus heals a boy possessed a demon and speaks again of the disciples’ faith. Again he foretells his death and resurrection.
24th March 2020
We continue our ‘Reading Matthew in Lent’ series today by reading Chapter 16 of St Matthew’s Gospel.
In this chapter the Pharisees and Sadducees are intent upon Jesus proving to them that he is sent from heaven that they ask him for signs, Jesus will warn his disciples of their teachings. Alongside his warning Jesus fortells of his Death and Resurrection before asking them to Take up Your Cross and Follow Him.
23rd March 2020
We continue our ‘Reading Matthew in Lent’ series today by reading Chapter 15 of St Matthew’s Gospel.
In this chapter we see Jesus feed the four thousand after his healing of the many. The Pharisees and scribes come to Jesus about his disciples breaking traditions but jesus responds with we should all follow Gods Commandments.
20th March 2020
We continue our ‘Reading Matthew in Lent’ series today by reading Chapter 14 of St Matthew’s Gospel.
The chapter features some of Jesus’s most well-known miracles – the feeding of the five thousand, walking on water and healing the sick in Gennesaret. However it’s a sober start with the death of John the Baptist after the daughter of Herodias, who danced for Herod on his birthday, demanded John’s head.
19th March 2020
We continue our ‘Reading Matthew in Lent’ series today by reading the last part verses 44-56 of Chapter 13 of St Matthew’s Gospel.
Jesus continues to speak to his disciples in parables. He tells them the parable of the hidden treasure, the parable of the pearl of great value, the parable of the net.
When Jesus finished telling these parables to his disciples he returns to his hometown of Nazareth to teach in the synagogues. But the people of Nazareth reject him and question his wisdom….. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary?
‘Reading Matthew in Lent’ is a series of simple podcasts for the Lenten season offering a daily reading from St Matthew’s Gospel from Ash Wednesday to Easter Monday.
