The prophet Isaiah sees a new vocation for Israel.  Having been the servant of God, Israel is now also to become the light of the nations. But what does that mean in practice?  Does it mean that the remarkable perseverance of Israel will be held up for the nations to see and admire?  Will the nations at last pay attention to the tiny nation of Israel because it is now clear that they have the might of God on their side?  These sectarian thoughts do not cohere with all else that Isaiah sees,...

In a few moments’ time, you will see me put a drop of water into the chalice of wine.  The chalice and the wine come from us: the metalworker made a beautiful piece from raw materials for our ceremonial; the winemaker patiently turned his cultivated grapes into drink.  The chalice of wine is the best we can do by ourselves: it is the result of human industry and endeavour.  In it we find aspiration and ambition.  We can admire the chalice of wine as something noble which our race produced,...

Would that a sign as clear as a star were given more often.  Would that we too would draw the right conclusions about its significance. We can envy the Magi: they saw Christ face-to-face; they met the Blessed Virgin.  Such is their place in salvation history; this is what they were chosen to do.  And we might wish it was our place too. But we have been chosen for other things.  The Magi have such firm conviction, such a good read on the heavens.  Could we not have the same ourselves?  But we...