2, Scripture Readings – Summaries of the readings of each Sunday Mass (by Chris Oliver)

Wis 6:12-16; Ps 62(63):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.
(Wis 6:12-16; Ps 62(63):2-8 r.2; 1 Thess 4:13-18; Matt 25:1-13)

Second Isaiah insists that every event, good or bad, is part of God’s plan, including the conquest and exile of Israel by Babylon. And so does the freedom given them about 530 BC by Cyrus, King of Persia, whom God calls his ‘anointed’ or ‘messiah’, because he did God’s work. Thus all men, including Gentiles, though they do not know him, will know that there is only one God, the Lord.
The Psalm therefore calls on all men – and all creation – to worship and praise the one and just God.
For the last 5 Sundays of Ordinary Time we read from Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessalonika, which he founded about AD 50. Paul later sent Silvanus and Timothy back to support the new community. Written from Corinth, this letter is the earliest Christian writing we have. Centuries before the idea of the Trinity was formally defined, Paul distinguishes clearly between “God our Father”, “our Lord Jesus Christ”, and “the Holy Spirit”.
Over the next three weeks we hear the final three discussions in Matthew’s Gospel between Jesus and the Jewish leaders. They ironically address Jesus as “Teacher”, but he silences them: he does have full authority to interpret the Jewish Scriptures.
(Isa 45:1, 4-6; Ps 95(96):1. 3-5. 7-10 r.7; 1 Thess 1:1-5; Matt 22:15-21 )

Is 55:1-3; Ps 144(145); Rom 8:35,37-39; Mt 14:13-21

Second Isaiah encourages the Israelites exiled in Babylon by reminding them that God had not forgotten his everlasting covenant with them. They are still invited to turn to him and to enjoy the heavenly banquet in the end days. But they must “listen, and your soul will live”.
The Psalm praises the Lord’s care for creation: God – of his nature – must be “just in all his ways”, but he is also “kind and full of compassion”.
Paul has now arrived at the tremendous conclusion he has been working towards through these four chapters of his letter to the Romans: “nothing can come between us and the love of Christ”. We have been justified by our faith in the gospel. God is on our side. Jesus himself prays on our behalf. We can be certain that, no matter who we are, nor what we do, God never stops loving us. How difficult it can be to accept this! This is what God’s covenant means: we will never cease to be his people.
The Gospel shows how readily God provides for our needs, just as he provided the manna in the desert. The feedings of the multitudes give us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet to come. Foreshadowing the Eucharist, the disciples begin to take on some of Christ’s work.
(Is 55:1-3; Ps 144(145); Rom 8:35,37-39; Mt 14:13-21)

1 Kgs 3:5,7-12; Ps 118(119); Rom 8:28-30; Mt 13:44-52

After David’s death his son, Solomon, became king. Until Solomon built the Temple, sacrificing to God in high places was acceptable. It was during one such sacrifice that God appeared in a dream asking Solomon what he most wanted. In humility Solomon asked for a discerning judgement, rightly earning God’s praise.
The Psalm praises God’s law as the supreme rule for life because it is designed to help us become who we are meant to be.
Paul continues describing life in the Spirit to the Romans. Christians should try to reproduce in themselves images of Christ by progressively sharing in his risen life. God prepares those called to do his work and cooperates with them. Each individual is called for some task in God’s plan for salvation. Those who love him will share in his glory. This includes not only Christians and others of goodwill, but also the Jews, “the ones he chose specially long ago”.
Matthew’s Gospel compares the Kingdom of Heaven to the greatest treasure found either accidentally or after a search, and then compares the Kingdom to a dragnet: the good fish will be kept and those of no use will be thrown in the furnace. There is a surprise ending: not all old treasures should be thrown away, some should be kept – like Israel’s Scriptures, our Old Testament.
(1 Kgs 3:5,7-12; Ps 118(119); Rom 8:28-30; Mt 13:44-52)
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Wis 12:13,16-19; Ps 85(86); Rom 8:26-27; Mt 13:24-43
The Book of Wisdom was probably written in Alexandria about 50 years before Christ, to encourage the faith of Jews living in a pagan Egypt. It wrestles with the age-old problem that evildoers are not punished in this world. Wisdom insists that God is just and merciful: he will reward the just after death, although this book does not say how. We can see that God moderates his own power with his justice from the way he gave the Canaanites time to repent during the exodus, and we should follow his example by showing mercy to those who hurt us.
The Psalm really says it all this week: God is a loving God, a “God of mercy and compassion, slow to anger”, “good and forgiving, full of love to all who call.” Eventually “all the nations” – ie the Gentiles – will come to adore God.
Paul has been telling the Romans we may have confidence in the future life God has planned for us. God sends the Spirit to help us and to enable us to express our prayers more meaningfully.
The Gospel shows God’s mercy in action. Instead of venting punishment on sinners and immediately uprooting them, God patiently gives us time to repent.
(Wis 12:13,16-19; Ps 85(86); Rom 8:26-27; Mt 13:24-43)

Is 55:10-11; Ps 64(65); Rom 8:18-23; Mt 13:1-23

Second Isaiah, writing around 550 BC, concludes his “Book of Comfort” to the Jewish exiles in Babylon with an invitation to a joyful banquet. After renewing His covenant of peace, God has reminded Israel that “my thoughts are not your thoughts”: God’s words come down gently to bring forth divine fruits, like the rain which enables the earth to yield its fruits.
The Psalm give God praise and thanks for his power over all the earth and the rains which produce abundant crops.
Paul continues this theme of God’s plan slowly moving towards its climax: creation is unable to attain its purpose without help, and it was made this way by God. Paul gives us a brilliantly clear vision of God’s plan: with the coming of Christ creation is now groaning in the birth pangs of being set free.
It is worth listening carefully to Matthew’s explanation of the parable of the sower. And especially to Jesus’ very difficult statements that he talks to the crowds in parables because “they listen without hearing or understanding”. He says “They have shut their eyes, for fear they should see, … and be converted”. The coming of Jesus brings both judgement and mercy. But some will not receive God’s words, unless their minds are open and cease making their own image of God.
(Is 55:10-11; Ps 64(65); Rom 8:18-23; Mt 13:1-23)

Zech 9:9-10; Ps 144(145); Rom 8:9,11-13; Mt 11:25-30

From the fifth century BC, after the return from the exile, Zechariah’s apocalyptic oracles look forward to the restoration of Israel, when all the nations will look towards Jerusalem. The Davidic king to be restored by God will bring release from captivity, but repentance must come first. Later Matthew misinterprets the idiomatic repetition of “riding on a donkey, on a colt” and has Jesus riding into Jerusalem on two animals at once (Mt 21).
The Psalm praises the Lord’s kindness and care for creation and exhorts all creatures to thank the Lord.
Over the next few weeks Paul’s letter to the Roman describes “life in the Spirit”. Unable to “do the good I want!”, Paul sees that we serve sin through our “flesh”, our weak, earth-bound, human nature. But by coming in the likeness of sinful flesh, God’s Son has enabled us to walk “according to the Spirit”. The Spirit of God dwelling in us enables us to participate in divine life.
After Jesus’ proclaimed the gospel in Galilee, he went on to preach “in their cities” but met opposition to his teaching, and he upbraided them for their lack of repentance. Those reputed to be wise do not understand, but those with the simple trust of children do. Learn from him, for his “burden is light”.
(Zech 9:9-10; Ps 144(145); Rom 8:9,11-13; Mt 11:25-30)

2 Kings 4: 8-11, 14-16; Psalm 88(89): 2-3. 16-19; Romans 6: 3-4, 8-11; Matthew 10: 37-42

Today we hear only the beginning of this story from the Second Book of the Kings. Recognising this frequent passer-by as a holy man, the Shunammite woman hospitably offers him a place to stay each time he passes. Elisha promises she will have a child. Some years later the child became ill and died, and the woman urgently travels the twenty miles to Carmel, confident that Elisha will heal her son, and Elisha brings her son back to life.
The long Psalm, written during or after the exile, reminds God of his promise to David of an everlasting dynasty, and expresses confidence that God keeps his promises.
Paul’s meditation on redemption leads him to ask “Shall we persist in sin that grace may abound?” No, he says, God’s grace is not prompted by sin but is the expression of God’s love. “We were buried with Christ through baptism into death”. After our ritual death in baptism we must unite ourselves with Christ to share in his bodily resurrection.
In Matthew’s gospel Jesus concludes his teachings on the requirements and rewards of discipleship. Disciples must accept the trials that it entails, burying ourselves completely in Christ. But acts of charity and hospitality will be rewarded, just as the Shunammite woman found.
(2 Kings 4: 8-11, 14-16; Psalm 88(89): 2-3. 16-19; Romans 6: 3-4, 8-11; Matthew 10: 37-42)

(Jer 20: 10-13; Ps 68(69): 8-10.14.17.33-35; Romans 5: 12-15; Matthew 10: 26-33)
About 600 BC Jeremiah counselled King Zedekiah to be conciliatory towards Babylon, ruled by Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah expresses his internal doubts but concludes that the Lord is indeed on his side, and asks that he will see his persecutors punished. Against Jeremiah’s advice, Zedekiah revolted, Jerusalem was destroyed and the people led into exile.
The Psalm implores God to save him from unmerited suffering. The reference in an omitted verse to “vinegar to drink” and the expectation that “God will save Zion” led Christians to think of Messiah – Christ.
In his letter to the Romans Paul reflects on the redemptive mystery of Christ. Sin, the dreadful power that has gripped humanity from the beginning, causes both bodily and spiritual death. Like Adam, all people pursue their own desires in opposition to God’s will. But God’s free gift of grace makes life available to all.
In Matthew’s gospel Jesus has described the trials the newly commissioned Apostles will face in their mission. They will be persecuted and even betrayed by members of their families. But they should “not worry about how they are to speak” in front of judges. They “will be given at that moment” what they are to say. Today’s reading insists they can have complete confidence in God and must not be afraid.
(Jer 20: 10-13; Ps 68(69): 8-10.14.17.33-35; Romans 5: 12-15; Matthew 10: 26-33)