Dominican Series The Dominican Series is a joint project by Australian Dominican women and men and offers contributions on topics of Dominican interest and various aspects of church, theology and religion in the world. Series Editors: Mark O’Brien OP and Gabrielle Kelly OP 1. English for Theology: A Resource for Teachers and Students, Gabrielle Kelly OP, 2004. 2. Towards the Intelligent Use of Liberty: Dominican Approaches in Education, edited by Gabrielle Kelly OP and Kevin Saunders OP, 2007. 3. Preaching Justice: Dominican Contributions to Social Ethics in the Twentieth Century, edited by Francesco Campagnoni OP and Helen Alford OP, 2008. 4. Don’t Put Out the Burning Bush: Worship and Preaching in a Complex World, edited by Vivian Boland OP, 2008. 5. Bible Dictionary: Selected Biblical and Theological Words, Gabrielle Kelly OP in collaboration with Joy Sandefur, 2008 6. Sunday Matters: Reflections on the Lectionary Readings for Year A, Mark A O’Brien, 2010. 7. Sunday Matters: Reflections on the Lectionary Readings for Year B, Mark A O’Brien, 2011. 8. Sunday Matters: Reflections on the Lectionary Readings for Year C, Mark A O’Brien, 2012. 9. Scanning the Signs of the Times, edited by Thomas F O’Meara OP and Paul Philibert OP, 2013. 10. From North to South: Southern Scholars Engage with Edward Schillebeeckx, edited by Helen Bergin OP, 2013. Disclaimer: Views expressed in publications within the Dominican Series do not necessarily reflect those of the respective Congregations of the Sisters or the Province of the Friars. Text copyright © 2013 remains with the author. All rights reserved. Except for any fair dealing permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this book may be reproduced by any means without prior permission. Inquiries should be made to the publisher. Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry Author: O’Brien, Mark A, 1945-author. Title: The ABC of Sunday matters : re$ections on the lectionary readings / Mark O’Brien. ISBN: 9781922239440 (paperback) EPUB ISBN: 9781922239464 Series: Dominican series. Notes: Includes bibliographical references. Subjects: Bible--Homiletical use. Lectionary preaching--Catholic Church. Dewey Number: 269.2 Cover design by Astrid Sengkey Original artwork by Yvonne Ashby Original lino cut by Yvonne Ashby An imprint of the ATF Ltd PO Box 504 Hindmarsh, SA 5007 ABN 90 116 359 963 www.atfpress.com Table of Contents Introduction YEAR A Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew First Sunday of Advent Second Sunday of Advent Third Sunday of Advent Fourth Sunday of Advent Christmas (Midnight) Christmas Holy Family Mary Mother of God The Epiphany Baptism of the Lord First Sunday of Lent Second Sunday of Lent Third Sunday of Lent Fourth Sunday of Lent Fifth Sunday of Lent Palm Sunday of the Passion Thursday in Holy Week Good Friday Easter Second Sunday of Easter Third Sunday of Easter Fourth Sunday of Easter Fifth Sunday of Easter Sixth Sunday of Easter Ascension of the Lord Pentecost Trinity Sunday Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) Second Sunday of the Year Third Sunday of the Year Fourth Sunday of the Year Fifth Sunday of the Year Sixth Sunday of the Year Seventh Sunday of the Year Eighth Sunday of the Year Ninth Sunday of the Year Tenth Sunday of the Year Eleventh Sunday of the Year Twelfth Sunday of the Year Thirteenth Sunday of the Year Fourteenth Sunday of the Year Fifteenth Sunday of the Year Sixteenth Sunday of the Year Seventeenth Sunday of the Year Eighteenth Sunday of the Year Nineteenth Sunday of the Year Twentieth Sunday of the Year Twenty First Sunday of the Year Twenty Second Sunday of the Year Twenty Third Sunday of the Year Twenty Fourth Sunday of the Year Twenty Fifth Sunday of the Year Twenty Sixth Sunday of the Year Twenty Seventh Sunday of the Year Twenty Eighth Sunday of the Year Twenty Ninth Sunday of the Year Thirtieth Sunday of the Year Thirty First Sunday of the Year Thirty Second Sunday of the Year Thirty Third Sunday of the Year Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King Extras For Year A Year 2014 Presentation of the Lord Ss Peter and Paul, Apostles Triumph of the Holy Cross Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed Dedication of the Lateran Basilica Year 2017 Transfiguration Select Bibliography Biblical Index Subject Index YEAR B Introduction to the Gospel of Mark (for Year B) First Sunday of Advent Second Sunday of Advent Third Sunday of Advent Fourth Sunday of Advent Christmas Holy Family (Sunday after Christmas) Mary Mother of God The Epiphany Baptism of the Lord First Sunday of Lent Second Sunday of Lent Third Sunday of Lent Fourth Sunday of Lent Fifth Sunday of Lent Palm Sunday of the Passion Thursday in Holy Week Good Friday The Passion According to Mark Easter Second Sunday of Easter Third Sunday of Easter Fourth Sunday of Easter Fifth Sunday of Easter Sixth Sunday of Easter Ascension of the Lord Pentecost Sunday Trinity Sunday