Author: ANTONINO

1 Samuel 3: 3-10, 19; Psalm 39(40); 1 Cor 6: 13-15, 17-20; John 1: 35-41

In the first Book of Samuel Hannah, the devout but barren wife of Elkanah, prayed for a child in the temple at Shiloh. She promised if she has a son she will give him to the Lord as a Nazirite. Her prayers were answered, and Hannah gave Samuel up into Eli’s care in the temple.

Luke’s story of the birth of John the Baptist recalls the miraculous birth of Samuel, and Hannah’s song of thanks is echoed by Mary’s Magnificat. In our first reading Eli realises it is Samuel who is to succeed him as prophet to bring the word of the Lord to the people.

The Psalm expresses gratitude to the Lord for saving us, recognising that obedience is better than ritual sacrifice – as later seen in the supreme example of Jesus’ obedience.

Paul devotes several parts of his letter to the Corinthians to sexual immorality, which some Corinthians did not see as sins, but Paul sees as sinning against your own body.

In John’s Gospel the Baptist prophetically points Jesus out to his own disciples as the “Lamb of God”, so they follow him instead. Like the rest of Jesus’ disciples, they come to Jesus through the testimony of others, responding to the invitation to “Come and see”.

Psalm Response: Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

(1 Samuel 3: 3-10, 19; Psalm 39(40); 1 Cor 6: 13-15, 17-20; John 1: 35-41)

2 Sam 7:1-5,8b-12,14a,16; Ps 88:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29; Rom 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38

After seven years as King of Judah, David was anointed King of all the tribes of Israel. He then captured Jerusalem making it the capital of Israel. Then he increased his power by bringing into Jerusalem the Ark of the Covenant, the Lord’s dwelling. But in our first reading the Lord tells David not to build a house for Him, because the Lord will himself build a house – ie a dynasty – founded on David.

The long Psalm, written during or after the exile, starts by reminding God of this promise to David, before asking God how long before He will fulfill His promise.

Paul summarises the Good News: Jesus Christ is the revelation that God intends all humanity to be brought into community with God through faith. We are not justified and saved by the Jewish Law, but by Jesus’ faith in his Father and by our faith in Jesus Christ.

Luke gives us the supreme example of faith: Mary agrees to God’s invitation to be the mother of God’s Son – the greatest ‘Yes’ in history! She does not know what might happen – except possibly death by stoning as an unmarried mother. By her faith and trust in God she becomes the first disciple. And God’s promise to David is fulfilled.

Psalm Response: I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

(2 Sam 7:1-5,8b-12,14a,16; Ps 88:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29; Rom 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38)

Isa 40:1-5, 9-11; Ps 84:9-10, 11-12, 13-14; 2 Pet 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8

Scripture Readings 6th December 2020, 2nd Sunday of Advent, Year B
Isaiah celebrates with fulsome praise their God who has enabled the Israelites to return from exile in Babylon. God has cleared the way for their return, just as He led his people during the Exodus from Egypt. Then God was visible in a small area as a pillar of cloud or fire. Now God’s work should be shouted throughout the whole world.

In the Psalm a prophet, after the return from exile, first listens to hear what the Lord has to say, and then reports the joyful happiness revealed to him.

The second letter of Peter, written probably towards the end of the first century, addressed doubts about when Christ would return in majesty. God patiently guides mankind to the promised land of his kingdom, giving everyone plenty of time to turn to him. But the Day of the Lord will come, and it will come to all creation, and when we least expect it.

Mark’s gospel omits any mention of Jesus’ early life. It starts with Jesus’ coming proclaimed by Isaiah and the Baptist. God was revealed to the Jews during the Exodus and in their return from exile. Now He is revealed to the whole world through his Christ, Jesus, confirmed as God’s son at his baptism.

Psalm Response: Let us see, O Lord, your mercy; and give us your saving help.

(Isa 40:1-5, 9-11; Ps 84:9-10, 11-12, 13-14; 2 Pet 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8)

The reading from third Isaiah is part of a prayer written around the end of Israel’s exile. Their leaders have been arguing instead of rebuilding the Temple. The prophet recalls God’s blessings on Israel in the past, and desperately begs the Lord to come once more in his mercy to the aid of his people, who all now humbly confess their sinfulness. God is our Father, and we are clay, to be formed by his hand.

The Psalm pleads with God to restore his vineyard, Israel, to its former favour. Especially the northern tribes, threatened by Assyria.

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians was prompted by internal rivalries. He can’t stop talking about Jesus. God has now come, giving “all the graces” “through Jesus Christ”, and joining us to his Son.

Since Vatican II we are blessed by reading all through each gospel in turn. Listening to what each evangelist actually says may help us to sense different Christian communities gradually developing their understanding of Christ. This Advent we start the year of Mark, whose gospel is the earliest and shortest. It is the gospel in which no human being recognises or understands Jesus before his death. Today we have Mark’s version of “Stay awake!”, immediately before Jesus’ passion begins.

Psalm Response: God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

(Isa 63:16-17; 64:3-8; Ps 79:2-3,15-16,18-19; 1 Cor 1:3-9; Mark 13:33-37)

Ezek 34:11-12, 15-17 ; Ps 22:1-3. 5-6 r.1; 1 Cor 15:20-26, 28; Matt 25:31-46

Ezekiel was writing in Babylon (now Baghdad) after Israel’s exile in 587 BC. He encourages the Israelites, despairing after their crushing defeat. Because he loves his people, God will take over their care and protection from their failed leaders, and provide a new King from David’s line.

In the Psalm, a shepherd’s care and protection for the sheep he leads, and a host’s welcome at a banquet, illustrate God’s loving care for us.

From 51 AD Paul worked for about eighteen months with the Christians in Corinth. Five years later he wrote to correct some of their enthusiasms, including doubting the resurrection of the body. Greeks tended to see the spirit as more important than the body and how they behaved in this life. But Paul insists that it is the whole person – body and spirit – that is raised, just as Christ appeared in his risen body to many of his followers after his Resurrection.

In Matthew’s gospel, in his final speech before his Passion, Jesus describes the Last Judgement when Jesus is enthroned as King. These are the terrifying criteria he will use: have we fed the hungry, given drink to the thirsty, welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, visited the sick and those in prison? Dies Irae – Day of Wrath – indeed!

Psalm Response: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

(Ezek 34:11-12, 15-17 ; Ps 22:1-3. 5-6 r.1; 1 Cor 15:20-26, 28; Matt 25:31-46)

The Book of Proverbs united ancient values and ideals with Israel’s understanding of God. Written at the time of the exile, about 500 BC, it was intended for serious study in the effort to gain wisdom. Today’s reading is more than a song praising both the housekeeping and commercial activities of a good wife – it is Wisdom in action. And it recognises that a wife should share in the benefits of her work.

And the Psalm celebrates the blessings of family life, wishing such a family prosperity and long life.

The reading from Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians continues from last week’s reading, reminding his hearers that the “Day of the Lord” will come when we least expect it. So we should learn wisdom and live every day in justice and integrity, as if it will be our last.

Matthew’s parable of the talents, like the gospel last week, also urges us to live wisely and justly while waiting for the day of judgement, which will certainly come. But we must do more than just use the resources we have been given for God’s purposes: just as it needs effort to learn wisdom, so we must work at developing our faith, otherwise we may lose it.

Psalm Response: O blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Wis 6:12-16; Ps 62:2-8 r.2; 1 Thess 4:13-18; Matt 25:1-13

The Book of Wisdom was written in Greek, probably in Alexandria during the century before Christ. It seeks to strengthen faith by recalling the ways in which God rewards his people. But our just God also punishes individuals who act unjustly. We must learn wisdom to live justly in accord with God’s justice, and so imitate and be drawn into the life of God.
The Psalm expresses our homesickness for God’s sanctuary, our true home, confident that God will help us overcome all our enemies. Good advice: when our minds are empty, as at night – fill them with thoughts of God.

The parousia, when Christ will return – or be revealed in glory – was expected almost daily by the early Christians. But some believers had already died, so Paul reassures the Thessalonians that they will not “miss out” – they will join everyone else in the resurrection of the dead. Two thousand years later we may now see the parousia at the end of time being anticipated by Jesus revealed to us in every Mass.

Matthew’s gospel links the two readings together: we must live justly every moment of our lives so that we may be ready when the Lord calls us to him. We cannot rely on a last chance to repent.

Psalm Response: For you my soul is thirsting, O God, my God.

(Wis 6:12-16; Ps 62:2-8 r.2; 1 Thess 4:13-18; Matt 25:1-13)

Rev 7:2-4,9-14; Ps 23(24):1-6; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12

Films about “apocalypses” can lead us to misunderstand the book of Revelation. “Apocalypse” really means “revealing”. Cosmic battles are raging all about us: evil seems to triumph in our world, yet this revelation of Christ gives us confidence (hope) that He will save us. The previous chapter ended by describing the coming terrible day of judgement (Dies irae). But in this chapter there is a pause while the elect – the chosen ones – are sealed with God’s mark to show they will be protected. Not only many from Israel but numberless people from all nations. Our liturgies on earth have an effect in heaven. The chapter ends with the hope faith gives those who repent: “The Lamb … will lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes”.

This liturgical Psalm gives the moral requirements for assisting at divine worship, while confirming the hope the just may have in God.

The reading from John’s first letter emphasises that we are already God’s children, but we must try to prepare for the greater joy still to come.

In Matthew’s Gospel the beatitudes bring the Commandments up to date: positive actions, not just avoiding doing wrong, are necessary for us to be counted among the elect.

Psalm Response: Such are the men who seek your face, O Lord.

Exod 22:20-26 (& cf 24:9-11) Ps 17:2-4. 47. 51. R.2 1 Thess 1:5-10; Matt 22:34-40

In our reading from Exodus the Lord expands the rather general Ten Commandments into detailed rules for living, with practical laws and punishments. In this covenant or treaty the Lord promises his favour and the people accept certain obligations. Moses sprinkled blood on the people to seal this covenant with the Lord. The sacrificial meal, eating and drinking in the Lord’s presence, ritually confirms the people now belong to the family of the Lord.
Five verses sum up this very long Psalm, thanking God for his help against enemies while welcoming his justice.

Continuing our reading from the earliest surviving Christian document, Paul concludes his address to the Thessalonians with fulsome praise for them. He knows they are chosen and loved by God because others have told him the examples they give. Especially their imitation of Christ, and their acceptance of the word of the risen Lord, in spite of suffering persecution.

In Matthew’s Gospel it is now the turn of the Pharisees to test Jesus. But they fare no better than the Sadducees heard last week. Again Jesus shows that he is the authoritative interpreter of the Jewish Scriptures. Even the detailed rules given to Moses can be summed up in the requirement to love God and your neighbour.

Psalm Response: I love you, Lord, my strength.