Author: ANTONINO

Daniel 7: 13-14; Psalm 92(93): 1-2.5; Rev 1: 5-8; John 18: 33-37

The Book of Daniel was written about 165 BC. It looks forward with certainty to the day of the Lord at the end of history, when the kingdom of God will triumph. In this vision the worldly kingdoms opposed to God have been portrayed as various beasts. In contrast, the glorified people of God who will form his kingdom on earth, is represented in human form, as “one like a son of man”. This became the most characteristic way in which Jesus referred to himself, as the one through whom the salvation of God’s people is realised.

The psalm praises the eternal kingship of the Lord, who triumphs over rebellion and chaos.

The Revelation to John was probably written about 90 AD, during a time when Christians were being persecuted. Today we hear John’s greeting to the seven churches of Asia, before he criticises them. His summary of the Christian faith includes a reference to Daniel’s vision.

The Gospel of John was also probably written near the end of the 1st century. It is very different from the other 3 gospels, which are read over the 3 year cycle. In today’s reading Jesus clearly tells Pilate the nature of his kingship, reflecting how much the understanding of Jesus had developed over the 60 years since his death.

Psalm Response: The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.

(Daniel 7: 13-14; Psalm 92(93): 1-2.5; Rev 1: 5-8; John 18: 33-37)

Daniel 12: 1-13; Psalm 15(16): 5.8-11; Hebrews 10: 11-14.18; Mark 13: 24-32

The Book of Daniel belongs to “apocalyptic” literature, which secretly looks forward to the day of the Lord at the end of history, when all will be made right. It was written about 165 BC to strengthen the Jews who were suffering bitter persecution. The hero, Daniel, is saved by adhering to his faith in face of many trials. Daniel is promised that the just will live for ever, an early expectation of resurrection.

The psalm rejects idolatry and expresses confidence in the Lord, who will bring us to everlasting life.

Our final reading from the Letter to the Hebrews also looks forward to the end time. The daily animal sacrifices in the Temple could not take sins away. They have now been replaced by the one sacrifice of Christ, who now sits enthroned until he comes again. His perfect sacrifice has made forgiveness available to all. No further sacrifices will ever be needed.

An earlier chapter in the Book of Daniel, which we will hear next week, describes a vision of “One like a Son of Man” coming to rule God’s kingdom on earth. In today’s gospel Jesus graphically describes the heavenly signs that will accompany his return as the “Son of Man”.

Psalm Response: Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.

(Daniel 12: 1-13; Psalm 15(16): 5.8-11; Hebrews 10: 11-14.18; Mark 13: 24-32)

Ahab, the king of Israel “did evil in the sight of the Lord more than any of his predecessors” by worshipping false gods, introduced by his wife, Jezebel. Elijah told Ahab the Lord would punish him with a drought lasting many years. In today’s reading a widow gives Elijah the last of her food, and is rewarded with food until the drought ends.

The psalm advises us not to put our trust in princes, but in our God, who is kind and good.

The Letter to the Hebrews continues showing how Jesus Christ is our eternal high priest, “mediator” of the new covenant, which replaced the old covenant. The high priest no longer goes each day into the sanctuary of the Temple, where God dwells on earth, to mediate between man and God. Christ has entered heaven, so he can intercede directly with God on our behalf. Christ died and offered himself as a sacrifice once only, perfectly confirming man’s agreement to the new covenant for ever.

Like the first reading, today’s gospel also involves a widow who gives her all. After last week’s reading about the greatest commandment, the widow exemplifies loving God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength, instead of meaningless ritual.

Psalm Response: My soul, give praise to the Lord.

(1 Kings 17: 10-16; Psalm 145(146): 7-10; Hebrews 9: 24-28; Mark 12: 38-44)

Deut 6: 2-6; Psalm 17(18):2-4.47.51; Hebrews 7: 23-28; Mark 12: 28-34

Deuteronomy, the “second law”, the last of the five books of the Pentateuch, was written long after the Israelites settled in Palestine. It summarises, expands and completes the record of the Law given by God to Moses. It was very familiar to Jesus, who quoted from it frequently. Today’s reading ends with the “Schema”: “Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the one Lord”, the basic principle of the Mosaic Law, and familiar to all Jews.

The psalm is said to be by King David, giving thanks to the Lord for rescuing him after he had called for help in dire distress. David goes on to imagine God sending earthquakes and raining down lightning bolts and arrows to overwhelm his enemies.

The Letter to the Hebrews continues from last week, explaining that Christ is a priest forever, replacing the priests of the tribe of Levi, each of whom dies and has to be replaced. For our sake Christ sacrificed himself once and for all.

When Jesus is asked in today’s gospel which is the first of all the commandments, the Schema is what he immediately thinks of. There is one God, and we must love him with an undivided heart.

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

Jeremiah 31: 7-9; Psalm 125(126); Hebrews 5: 1-6; Mark 10: 46-52

Jeremiah has promised that Israel will return from their exile in Babylon. This new exodus will be on a smooth path with ample water, not like the first wanderings in the desert. God has redeemed his people, and will make a new unbreakable covenant with Israel, writing his law on people’s hearts, instead of on breakable stone. Jesus made this new covenant at the Last Supper.

The psalm exults in the imagined joy of this restoration, so intense as to seem like dream.

The extended extract from Hebrews read over the last 2 weeks, concludes by showing how Christ’s humanity enables him to understand our weaknesses. As the high priest forever, appointed by God at his baptism, Christ is therefore supremely fitted to mediate between us and God. But Hebrews goes on to say that Christ had to learn the depths of the human condition through his suffering.

Today we hear the last of Jesus’ teachings during his journey up to Jerusalem. Though blind, Bartimeus calls Jesus “Son of David”. He can see who Jesus is more clearly than the disciples following Jesus. He then calls Jesus “Master”, the only person in the first three gospels to do so before the resurrection. Able to see, Bartimeus now follows as a disciple.

Psalm Response: What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.

(Jeremiah 31: 7-9; Psalm 125(126); Hebrews 5: 1-6; Mark 10: 46-52)

Wisdom 7: 7-11; Psalm 89(90): 12-17; Hebrews 4: 12-13; Mark 10: 17-30

The last of the Old Testament books to be written, the Wisdom of Solomon was written to encourage Jews living in the rational Greek culture of Alexandria. Today’s reading is part of a speech ascribed to Solomon, describing what Wisdom is, and why we should seek her. Solomon prayed and was given wisdom which he sees as “a breath of the power of God”, “a reflection of eternal light”, “an image of God’s goodness”. And so to be desired above all riches.
The psalm, attributed to Moses, compares God’s awesome eternity to the shortness of Moses’ and our lives, asking God for wisdom, so that our work be firmly based. Filling our short lives with God’s love is all we need to be full of joy.
The Letter to the Hebrews has insisted Jesus, a man like other men, is capable of leading into God’s rest those who hear and obey “the living Word of God”, which, like a sword, can unfailingly “judge secret emotions and thoughts”.
Jesus continues to teach on his way to Jerusalem: the rich man appears to have heard the good news, but does not have the wisdom to let go of his riches. How hard it is to do so! We cannot practise this wisdom without God’s help.
Psalm Response: Fill us with your love so that we may rejoice.

(Wisdom 7: 7-11; Psalm 89(90): 12-17; Hebrews 4: 12-13; Mark 10: 17-30)

Chris

Gen 2:18-24; Ps 127(128); Heb 2:9-11; Mk 10:2-16

In this second version of creation, since God has created man as social being like himself, he now creates woman, to support and join with him.

The psalm celebrates the blessings of children and family life.

Readings from the Letter to the Hebrews will take us up to the end of Ordinary Time. The most Jewish of the New Testament books, it has a rich theology of Christ’s priesthood. Jesus is greater than the angels as God, but lower than the angels as man. Christ’s priestly sacrifice, as man and as God’s Son, renews once and for ever the covenant God has made with man.

As intermediaries, priests offer prayers and sacrifices to God on our behalf. Not seeking to change God’s mind. Relationships are confirmed with celebratory meals and things of value sacrificed by making them unusable. A wedding feast confirms our witness and support for the vows made by the married couple.

In Mark’s Gospel Jesus continues teaching during his journey to Jerusalem. He insists on the full meaning of the Law, which Mark updates, applying it also to a Gentile woman divorcing her husband. The union of a man and a woman in a marriage made by God cannot be unmade. Children help us to recognise our utter dependence on God.

Psalm Response: May the Lord bless us all the days of our life.

(Gen 2:18-24; Ps 127(128); Heb 2:9-11; Mk 10:2-16)