Author: ANTONINO

Eccles 1:2, 2:21-23 Ps 89:3-17 Col 3:1-5, 9-11 Lk 12:13-21

The “Preacher” struggles with the contradictions of life and the vanity of created things which give no lasting satisfaction. Good people suffer, sinners enjoy life and prosper. At a time when there was no idea of rewards after death, the “Preacher” has no solution to offer except to trust that God will make it right in the end. The Psalm echoes our need to rely on the Lord.

This final extract from Colossians hints at Paul’s very detailed moral teaching. The Christian’s life is now “hidden with Christ”, but when Christ is revealed “you too will be revealed in all your glory”. Paul then spells out how we should live our lives focussed on Christ. So that we will grow in knowledge and maturity towards the images of our creator that God intended us to be. We must put away sins of both sex and speech, which damage individuals and the Christian community.

Luke’s Gospel answers the Prophet’s problem in the first reading: good actions in this life are rewarded after death, and evil will be punished. The rich man’s approach was sensible in capitalist terms, and not immoral. But Luke’s gospel frequently insists that we must help the poor in this world, while we can!

Psalm Response: O Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to the next.

(Eccles 1:2, 2:21-23 Ps 89:3-17 Col 3:1-5, 9-11 Lk 12:13-21)

Gen 18:20-32 Ps 137:1-8 Col 2:12-14 Lk 11:1-13

After promising Abraham a son next year, God hesitates before revealing his plans for Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham urges God to be just to the threatened towns, where his nephew Lot lives. Later Lot defends his angelic guests from the depraved demands of the men of Sodom, and escapes before Sodom is destroyed.
Paul urges the Colossians, whom he has never visited, to be confident in their understanding of “God’s mystery”, Christ. As Gentiles they were outside the Jewish Law, and therefore seen as sinners. But now they are “buried in Christ”, the Law is overridden, and they should follow only Christ. For Paul, transgressions are debts owed to God for failing to carry out our duties under our covenant with the creator. The list of our debts, like IOUs, is destroyed by being graphically nailed to the Cross.
Luke’s version of the Our Father is shorter and more abrupt than Matthew’s. Both versions are looking to the end days, especially “Do not put us to the test” ie the final judgement. “Daily bread” may refer to the Eucharist. Or it may mean “Give us tomorrow’s bread” – in the heavenly banquet, like the double portion of manna collected in the desert before the Sabbath. God promises to respond to all our requests, as he did to Abraham.

Psalm Response: On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord

Gen 18:1-10 Ps 14:2-5 Col 1:24-28 Lk 10:38-42

Abraham, now settled by the oaks of Mamre, near Hebron, south of Jerusalem, gives proper hospitality to his three special visitors. But he addresses only one of them as Lord. The Lord promises a son to the couple in their old age. So that God’s covenant promise to Abraham of countless descendants can begin to come true.

Paul had explained to the Colossians that God’s covenant plan is now back on track. Christ’s death was sufficient for our redemption, but Paul sees his afflictions as adding to those of Christ, both helping spread the knowledge of redemption more widely and deeply, and to make a contribution towards the debt Christ has already paid on our behalf.

The Jews believed that God would reveal his secret plans for creation: Paul says these have now been revealed – the mystery is Jesus the Christ, the man who is the revelation of God.

In Luke’s description of Jesus’ visit to Martha and Mary their brother Lazarus is not mentioned. Like Sarah, Martha is busy preparing the meal. With so much to do she is naturally – but not obsessively – distracted, and asks for Mary’s help. But Jesus reminds her that listening to the words of their prophetic guest is more important than domestic perfection.

Psalm Response: The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

(Gen 18:1-10 Ps 14:2-5 Col 1:24-28 Lk 10:38-42)

Deut 30:10-14 Ps 68:14-37 Col 1:15-20 Lk 10:25-37

The book of Deuteronomy, the “second law”, evolved over many centuries. It restates the Jewish Law and the covenant God made with Abraham. Our reading starts with an imperative, but if we do obey God’s Law “the Lord will take delight in prospering” us. And this Law is easily accessible: it is written “in our hearts”. Put the covenant into practice, and so choose life, not death.

In this beautiful hymn from Colossians Paul spells out the awesome reality of Christ: “Christ Jesus is the image of the unseen God” who “existed before anything was created”. We know God through Jesus. Jesus is fully human in the way God intended all humanity to be. He shows us the way to God. But reconciliation comes with a proviso: “that you continue in the faith”.

Jesus has rejoiced and given thanks with the 70 disciples for their successful mission. He then responds to a sincere questioner by updating the Jewish Law to what was originally intended. The parable of the Good Samaritan insists that everyone is our neighbour. Details of the Law that evolve over time can come to be misleading. The priest and the Levite were more concerned with ritual purity than with love. Just as over emphasis on rigid moral rules and liturgical details can lead us astray from mercy.

Psalm Response: The precepts of the Lord gladden the heart.

(Deut 30:10-14 Ps 68:14-37 Col 1:15-20 Lk 10:25-37)

Is 66:10-14 Ps 65:1-20 Gal 6:14-18 Lk 10:1-12, 17-20

Third Isaiah wrote this beautiful imagery of a compassionate God to encourage the Jews returning from exile in Babylon to rebuild the Temple: the Lord sends his peace to Jerusalem through which he will give peace and nourishment to those who recognise the new creation to come with Jesus’ resurrection there.

This fond farewell concludes our 6 readings from Paul’s letter to the Galatians. It summarises his letter: through the Cross we are crucified to the world. Human distinctions and marks on our flesh like circumcision no longer signify. We have become a new creation, the “Israel of God” – God’s chosen family to carry God’s message to the world.
The new Mass translation, “and with your spirit”, picks up Paul’s final phrase. God’s grace is to be deep and personal.

In the reading from Luke’s gospel we heard last week, Jesus “set himself to travel to Jerusalem”. For the rest of Ordinary Time, ie “numbered weeks”, all our gospel readings are from Jesus’ journey, consciously focussed on his coming suffering in Jerusalem. Today we hear of Jesus sending 70 disciples on mission ahead of him, like the 70 elders chosen by Moses to lead the Exodus. But Jesus’ disciples are offering Israel a last chance to change their mind about Jesus.

Psalm Response: Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

(Is 66:10-14 Ps 65:1-20 Gal 6:14-18 Lk 10:1-12, 17-20)

Scripture Readings

In the first Book of Kings Elijah, a prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel, throws his cloak over Elisha. But Elisha remains free to choose whether or not to follow Elijah. Freely he burns his plough and turns his back on all earthly ties. When Elijah’s life ends Elisha literally inherits the prophet Elijah’s mantle.

For Paul holiness and freedom are closely linked. Holiness is giving ourselves in love in the service of others. Paul tells the Galatians holiness can be developed and exercised only in relationship with others – ie in community. Paul saw that, without faith, the Law given to the Hebrews on Mount Sinai could not bring salvation. The Law was a sort of monitor or tutor to guide and curb God’s people until Jesus came and “set us free”. Now “the whole of the Law is summarised in a single command: Love your neighbour as yourself”. This new freedom is not freedom from restraint, it is freedom for love – the love of service to each other.

Today’s reading from Luke’s Gospel refers first to Elijah, who called down fire from heaven to consume his sacrificial offerings rather than those of idolatrous priests. And then to Elisha who burned his plough and did not look back. Faith in Jesus requires total commitment.

Psalm Response: O Lord, it is you who are my portion.

(1 Kgs 19:16-21; Ps 15:1-11; Gal 5:1, 13-18; Lk 9:51-62)

Scripture Readings

Writing in the 4th century BC, Zechariah promises that the Lord will enable the house of David to lead Judah to defeat its enemies. Jerusalem will mourn “the one whom they have pierced”, as they mourned the good king Josiah, slain at Megiddo. From Jerusalem will come a “fountain to wash away all guilt and uncleanness”, later seen as Christ pouring out God’s grace. Zechariah then promises that “the Lord will become king over all the earth”.
In his letter to the Galatians Paul has explained his claim we heard last week that “if justification were through the Law, then Christ died to no purpose”: Abraham was justified through his belief in God. In this week’s reading Paul concludes: through our faith in Christ we are all adopted as the heirs Abraham was promised long before the Law was given to Moses. The Law was a temporary “tutor” to guide God’s people until Christ brings us to maturity.
In Luke’s gospel, after the Apostles had returned from a preaching mission, Jesus had bolstered their confidence by feeding 5,000 people. In this week’s reading Jesus for the first time confirms who he is, but foretells his own death and the sufferings of his followers, before further revealing himself in the Transfiguration.

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

(Zech 12:10-11, 13: 1; Psalm 62(63); Gal 3: 26-29; Luke 9: 18-24)