Author: ANTONINO

Amos 7:12-15; Psalm 84(85): 9-1 4; Eph 1: 3-14; Mark 6: 7-13

The first six chapters of the Book of Amos show in detail why the Jews will suffer judgement. Amaziah denounces Amos to the northern king for his unwelcome prophecies. Speaking around 760 BC, Amos bravely ignores him, and continues to warn the people. 200 years later his warnings were written down – because he was right: the northern kingdom had rejected God, and was destroyed.
The Psalm describes the coming happiness revealed by the Lord: virtues are imagined as courtiers of the returned king.
Over the next seven weeks we hear extracts from Paul’s breathtaking letter “to the Ephesians”. Its ideas can flow past us so quickly that we can easily miss their significance. If we stop after each phrase and ponder its meaning, we see a God very different from common belief. A God who lovingly “chose us in Christ” “before the world was made”. A God whose “hidden plan he so kindly made in Christ from the beginning”, so that we might “live through love in his presence”. This was no ‘plan B’, suddenly concocted to correct a mistake!
In Mark’s gospel, after his rejection in his home town we heard last week, Jesus now sends the disciples out on mission Next week we hear about their experiences.
(Amos 7:12-15; Psalm 84(85): 9-1 4; Eph 1: 3-14; Mark 6: 7-13)

Wisdom 1: 13-15, 2:23-24; Psalm 29(30); 2 Cor 89: 7-15; Mark: 5: 21-43

The Book of Wisdom, written in the century before Christ, starts by exhorting us to “love righteousness … and seek the Lord with sincerity of heart”. God made man in his own image: not immortal, for only God is immortal, but God made man “imperishable”. Death is not the end.
The Psalm gives thanks for deliverance from death: prayers during sickness were answered by God, triumphing over death.
The reading from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians might have been written today: we should share the earth’s resources with other peoples currently in need. We may need help some time! Paul was collecting financial aid for the Church in Jerusalem, since many towns in the rest of the empire had greater resources. Paul’s approach is supremely practical: he praises the Corinthians and then challenges them to give generously. But they should always keep a balance, not beggar themselves.
We resume our Sunday readings from Mark’s gospel. During his journey to heal Jairus’ daughter, Jesus is interrupted by a woman seeking a cure for her continuous haemorrhage. Jesus tells her her faith has restored her to health. As with the child raised from the dead, God’s kingdom breaks through, to help us understand what God has planned for us in his new creation.
(Wisdom 1: 13-15, 2:23-24; Psalm 29(30); 2 Cor 89: 7-15; Mark: 5: 21-43)

Ezekiel 17: 22-24; Psalm 91(92); 2 Cor 5: 6-10; Mark 4: 26-34

Ezekiel has many chapters about Israel’s failure to keep faith in God, culminating in the Babylonian exile. But God keeps his promises: He will restore his people to Israel. A remnant will survive and return to Zion, to build a renewed and perfect creation.
The Psalm extolls the Lord’s just deeds: “the just” are so steadfast they appear rooted, flourishing “in the courts of our God”, while “evildoers shall be scattered”.
Paul has described some of his difficulties, accepting that “while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake”. He encourages the Corinthians to have confidence in the Lord: whatever problems we face in our earthly lives, we look forward to making “our home with the Lord”. Then our reward will be affected by our behaviour in this world.
In Mark’s gospel Jesus describes the kingdom of God in parables. All around us are examples of transformation, seeds becoming unimaginable plants. We have got used to thinking of the kingdom of God as “somewhere else” – in “heaven” rather than on earth. But Jesus’ parables do not suggest this, and in the Lord’s prayer we ask every day that God’s kingdom come “on earth, as it is in heaven”. Do we mean it? What are we doing about it?
(Ezekiel 17: 22-24; Psalm 91(92); 2 Cor 5: 6-10; Mark 4: 26-34)

Deut 4: 32-34, 39-40; Psalm 32(33); Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28: 16-20

Deuteronomy, the second book of the Law, consolidated Israel’s beliefs and rituals. A long introductory teaching by Moses emphasises the requirement for Israel to keep the Law, as its part in their covenant with God. In today’s reading Moses emphasises the uniqueness of God, who has made himself known to Israel, speaking out of a fire, and who has made a covenant with them: He will be their God and they are to be his people. Moses then repeats the ten commandments, given by God.
The Psalm picks up God’s omnipotence, who created even the heavens and the stars. We can rely confidently on His promises.
God’s revelation in Christ fulfilled this covenant relationship: Paul tells the Romans that if we are in the Spirit we are not in the flesh. We are no longer dominated by our human tendency to turn from God. We are now God’s children, sharing in Christ’s inheritance, in his suffering and in his glory.
There only two resurrection appearances in Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus appeared very briefly to two Marys. Then the Gospel ends with Jesus commissioning the eleven disciples to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. And He promises to be with his people always.
(Deut 4: 32-34, 39-40; Psalm 32(33); Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28: 16-20)

Acts 1: 1-11; Psalm 46(47); Eph 4: 1-13; Mark 16: 15-20

Luke begins Acts by repeating Jesus’ ascension, both to emphasise its importance and to link the coming work of the apostles with Jesus’ earthly ministry. Before Pentecost the disciples still do not understand, asking if the time has come for the kingdom of Israel to be restored. But only God knows. Jesus must return to the Father so that the Holy Spirit can come and give them power to be his witnesses “to the ends of the earth”. The two men from the empty tomb appear again, promising Jesus will return. But we are not to know when.

The Psalm calls on all nations to acknowledge the God of Israel as the only true God. He is King and reigns over all the earth.

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians gives a broad, developed understanding of Jesus. Christians should seek unity in the one Lord, making good use of the various gifts given us by Christ.
In the second ending of Mark’s gospel, Jesus appeared after his resurrection to Mary Magdalen, and then to two disciples walking in the country. All three told the Apostles – who did not believe them. Jesus then rebuked the apostles, before commissioning them as his witnesses. He was then taken up into heaven.

Job 7: 1-4, 6-7; Psalm 146(147):1-6; 1 Cor 9: 16-19, 22-23; Mark 1: 29-39

In this Wisdom Book the blameless Job laments his sufferings at great length. The Lord allowed Satan to afflict Job any way he chose except death. Today’s reading describes the drudgery that many people see in their lives, with only death to look forward to. Job refuses to curse God, but challenges God to say what he has done to deserve these sufferings. Then he accepts that “I have dealt with great things that … I cannot know”. But Job’s challenge is not answered.
The Psalm sings the praises of God who restored Israel to Jerusalem after their exile, and who sustains the needy.
Our readings from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians have omitted a long argument that Christians should not behave in a way that might be a stumbling block to others. Today Paul gives an example: he does not claim justifiable payments for spreading the gospel in case people doubt his motives – and so doubt the gospel message.
In Mark’s gospel the demoniac was healed by word, now Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law by touch – well enough for her to get supper immediately. Jesus heals many more, but again the demons are not allowed to say who Jesus is – Jesus cannot be understood until the Cross demonstrates God’s infinitely merciful love for mankind.
(Job 7: 1-4, 6-7; Psalm 146(147):1-6; 1 Cor 9: 16-19, 22-23; Mark 1: 29-39)