We read Acts 2:1-21, which tells the wonders of the first Pentecost, in light of Genesis 10-11, Exodus 24:17, Leviticus 23:15-17, Joel 2:28-32, 3 Kingdoms/1 Kings 8:27-30; 41-43, and Hebrews 12:18. Here is the great reversal and first sign of unity; here is the beginning of the mighty Acts of God seen in the Apostles.

We read Acts 1:15-26, understanding Peter’s instruction in the light of Joshua 18:10, 1 Kingdoms/Samuel 10:20–21, 1 Chronicles 24:5, 25:8, Psalms LXX 68, 108 (MT 69, 109), Proverbs 16:33, Luke 24:3, 1 Cor 8:6, and 2 Peter 1:16-20. Especially important is how the apostle directs the praying community to look to the Old Testament for light upon their understanding of the LORD Jesus and what God is doing in their midst.

Encouraged by our father St. John Chrysostom, we begin a close look at the Acts of the Apostles, especially at how it uses the Old Testament to illumine its narratives and its teaching. In episode one, we read Acts 1:1-14, understanding it through the promise of the prophets regarding the kingdom or rule of God, and the triumph of the Son of Man in Daniel 7. Our God does wonders!

The final episode in this short series on Isaiah’s Lenten readings shows Isaiah 40-66 to be foundational for key New Testament passages such as Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 20:28, 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Galatians 3:13-15. Of special importance is God’s Suffering Servant, a role fulfilled by Jesus, the God-Man.

This week we read Isaiah 8-39, noticing important themes, and God’s actions of wrath and mercy. We also delight in the special glimpses of God’s future complete salvation, initiated through the Child, and fulfilled in the new land where all is glory and light.

Passages from the beginning to the end of the book of the prophet Isaiah are prescribed for us in the lectionary all through Great Lent. We introduce Isaiah and probe four matching themes in chapters 1-7, seeing their connection with Paul’s letters in particular, where he deals with the human problem and God’s remedies for it.

This week we complete our reading of the Nativity stories by adding Matthew’s account (Matt 1:1-2:18), and seeing its important connections to Genesis 35:19-20, Jeremiah 31:15-16, Isaiah 7:14, Hosea 11:1, and Micah 5:2. Matthew deliberately quotes and alludes to the Old Testament to show how Jesus recapitulates the story of humankind and of Israel, putting us right with God.

This week, just following the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple, we read Luke 2:21-52, with the help of Isaiah 42-52, Hebrews 5, and several Church Fathers. What does it mean to talk about the obedience and growth of God Incarnate? How do these stories of Jesus’ childhood encourage and instruct us?

We read Luke 2:1-20, seeing the birth of Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s work among the Jewish people, the story of David, and the human story as a whole. God the creator cares about our world, about time and space, and comes to dwell with us in this fragile context. We are especially helped by fathers who marvel concerning Luke’s attention to detail, and God’s great compassion.

Today we look at Luke 1:57-80, the story of John’s birth, circumcision, and the surrounding joy. We understand this deep passage in the light of Isaiah 54:1, Isaiah 9:2 and Psalm LXX 17/MT18:1-3.