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

Isa 45:1, 4-6; Ps 95:1. 3-5. 7-10 r.7; 1 Thess 1:1-5; Matt 22:15-21

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 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.

Psalm Response: Give the Lord glory and power.

(Isa 45:1, 4-6; Ps 95:1. 3-5. 7-10 r.7; 1 Thess 1:1-5; Matt 22:15-21)

Isa 25:6-10; Ps 22(23) r.6; Phil 4:12-14, 19-20; Matt 22:1-14

After the desolation of the earth and the final judgement, Isaiah describes in mouth-watering detail the great banquet the Lord will provide. It will be on Mount Zion and all peoples are invited. Not only will all sorrows be wiped away, but also the ultimate worry – death – will be destroyed.

The familiar psalm expresses our personal confidence that the Lord is preparing a beautiful surprise for us to enjoy after death.

Our readings from Paul’s letter to the Philippians conclude with Paul again thanking them for their continued support and the money they had sent him. God’s help enables him to be content whatever his problems, but their thoughtfulness is especially welcome now that he is in prison. He ends his letter with a fond farewell: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit”.

Matthew compares the kingdom of heaven to a wedding feast – the heavenly banquet to which all are invited. But if we accept the invitation we must prepare adequately and be willing to participate fully. Otherwise we may still be thrown out. Our membership must be visible to others. We must do more than just belong. Like the Philippians we must share what we have with the community we have joined, and with those in need.

Psalm Response: In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.

11th October 2020, 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Isa 5:1-7; Ps 79(80); Phil 4:6-9; Matt 21:33-43

First Isaiah was writing before 700 BC, when Assyria threatened and eventually overwhelmed Israel, the northern kingdom. Isaiah insists that only being faithful to God will protect the nation from disaster. The unproductive vineyard is the house of Israel, where, in spite of the care lavished on it by the Lord, there is bloodshed and injustice.
The psalm beseeches the Lord to protect his vine, Israel. Transplanted from Egypt, it has been severely damaged, but Israel promises not to forsake the Lord again.
In his affectionate farewell to the Philippians, Paul urges them to “rejoice in the Lord always”, not anxious, but thinking about all that is good, letting the Lord know all their needs. They should imitate Paul in the way he relies on the Lord. Then God’s grace will bring them peace. Our God is the God of peace. He not seeking to catch us out, but longs for us to accept the peace he offers and to rely on him totally.
This parable in Matthew’s Gospel about a vineyard owner follows immediately after last week’s story of the two sons. Matthew has brought Isaiah’s tale up to date with the murder of the prophets and even the Lord’s son. As with Isaiah’s prophecy, Israel would again be devastated, in AD70.

Psalm Response: The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

Ezek 18:25-28; Ps 24(25); Phil 2:1-11; Matt 21:28-32

The priest Ezekiel appears to have been among the first Israelites taken to Babylon in captivity in 598 BC. He had strongly urged Israel’s leaders to be faithful to God and his covenant, instead of resisting their enemies. But in vain: Israel’s further rebellion led to the final destruction of Jerusalem in 586. Ezekiel insists that children are not punished for the sins of their fathers. Each generation and each person must accept responsibility for their own behaviour. Why choose sin and death: “I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God, so turn, and live”.

The psalm is a personal prayer for guidance and pardon, while meditating on God’s goodness to the just.

Paul urges the Gentile Christians in Philippi to strive for unity, putting their own interests behind those of the Christian community. The hymn glorifies the way the already existing Christ obediently humbled himself to become man so that “every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord” – the basic definition of a Christian.

In Matthew’s gospel Jesus has entered Jerusalem and cleansed the Temple. Now, challenged by the Jewish leaders, Jesus asks which is better – to refuse a command and then do it, or to say ‘yes’ but disobey? Israel frequently broke their Covenant with God, so sinners will enter God’s kingdom before the Jews.

Psalm Response: Remember your mercy, Lord.

Ezek 18:25-28; Ps 24(25); Phil 2:1-11; Matt 21:28-32

Isa 55:6-9; Ps 144(146):2-3. 8-9. 17-18 r.18; Phil 1:20-24, 27; Matt 20:1-16a

Earlier in this chapter Isaiah invited us to the joyful banquet the Lord has prepared for us – “the supper of the Lamb”. Today’s reading urges us to “seek the Lord while he may be found”: hidden and unimaginably different from us, yet he is near and wanting to give us his forgiveness.

The Psalm, a hymn of praise to God’s mercy, recalls when the Israelites worshipped the golden calf: the Lord is “slow to anger and abounding in mercy”.

For the next four weeks the second reading is from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, probably written about 57 AD from Ephesus. Paul writes to thank the Philippians for the money they had sent him while he was in prison, and to encourage them to support each other in their pagan surroundings. Paul is very clear about his future life with Christ immediately after death. Sharing in Christ’s suffering means also sharing in the joy of the union with Christ which such suffering brings. Paul is torn between wishing to be gone and so be with Christ, or staying alive suffering in the Lord’s work.

In Matthew’s gospel even those rejected by others are swept up into the Lord’s vineyard. Justice to those hired first is balanced by mercy to the latecomers.

Psalm Response:        The Lord is close to all who call him.

Ezek 33:7-9; Ps 94(95): 1-2. 6-9 r.7-8; Rom 13:8-10; Matt 18:15-20

Ezekiel says religious leaders have authority, but also daunting responsibility. Failing to instruct the people correctly will lead to the same fate as the sinners they have failed to guide wisely. After the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC, Ezekiel promises hope for a future return to Jerusalem – but only if the people accept individual responsibility for sins and purify themselves of false gods.

The Psalm invites us to praise and worship the Lord daily, for he is our king and shepherd. We must not lose faith in God, as did the Israelites in their desert journey.

Paul’s advice to the Romans on Christian living continues: obey secular authorities, whose authority comes from God, and pay the taxes and respect that is their due. Above all “love your neighbour as yourself”.

The first reading, with the last verse of the Gospel reading, help us to understand the Gospel. “Where two or three meet in Jesus’ name”, Jesus will be in their midst – and by implication he will be guiding their decision-making, so their decisions will be in tune with God’s will. The Church’s awesome authority to include or exclude individuals on God’s behalf is not to be exercised carelessly, but only after due deliberation by the whole Christian community.

Psalm Response: O that today you would listen to his voice! “Harden not your hearts”.

(Ezek 33:7-9; Ps 94(95): 1-2. 6-9 r.7-8; Rom 13:8-10; Matt 18:15-20)

Scripture Readings 23rd August 2020, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today’s reading from Isaiah helps us to understand the tremendous power Jesus gives to Peter and the Apostles: Eliakim, newly appointed as “master of the palace”, is given complete authority to decide who may enter the House of David – and who may not. And he is to be “a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the House of Judah”.

The Psalmist thanks the Lord for answering his prayer, while calling on all rulers to join in this hymn of thanks for the Lord’s words.

Earlier in his letter to the Romans, Paul suggested that he was sent as the apostle to the pagans “in order to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them”. Israel, even while attacking the gospel, is still God’s “beloved”, since God never takes back his promises. Now Paul gasps in awe and wonder at the daring brilliance of God’s plan, which we can never fully comprehend.

This chapter of Matthew’s gospel began with Jesus finally breaking off discussions with the Jewish authorities. Now recognised as divine, Jesus, begins to form his disciples into a community to continue his work after his death. Like Eliakim, Peter, and – in chapter 18 – all the Apostles, are given authority to make eternal decisions, which will be upheld by God.

Psalm Response: Your love, O Lord, is eternal; discard not the work of your hands.

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

Third Isaiah was writing after 515 BC, when the Jews had returned from exile in Babylon and had rebuilt the Temple. But there is idolatry and injustice. Isaiah looks forward to a time when all peoples will be able to worship in the Temple, both foreigners and individuals with imperfect bodies. All that matters is justice and keeping the covenant.

Paul kept hoping his people would accept Jesus as the Christ. In his letter to the Jewish Christians in Rome he insists that God has not rejected his people: the Gentiles are a branch grafted onto the tree of Israel. In today’s reading he sees the Gentile mission as trying to make Jews envious and so also come to accept God’s mercy, as he has. But the Gentile branch can be broken off if they lose their faith.

In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus has criticised the Jewish leaders for insisting on external purity while disobeying God’s commandments. Nothing entering one’s mouth defiles, only what comes out. In Phoenicia, the only scene outside Israel in this gospel, Jesus heals the Canaanite child. But first he utters the memorable insult that “it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs”.

Psalm Response: Let the Peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

Isa 56: 1, 6-7; Ps 66(67); Rom 11: 13-15, 29-32; Mt 15:21-28

Third Isaiah was writing after 515 BC, when the Jews had returned from exile in Babylon and had rebuilt the Temple. But there is idolatry and injustice. Isaiah looks forward to a time when all peoples will be able to worship in the Temple, both foreigners and individuals with imperfect bodies. All that matters is justice and keeping the covenant.

Paul kept hoping his people would accept Jesus as the Christ. In his letter to the Jewish Christians in Rome he insists that God has not rejected his people: the Gentiles are a branch grafted onto the tree of Israel. In today’s reading he sees the Gentile mission as trying to make Jews envious and so also come to accept God’s mercy, as he has. But the Gentile branch can be broken off if they lose their faith.

In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus has criticised the Jewish leaders for insisting on external purity while disobeying God’s commandments. Nothing entering one’s mouth defiles, only what comes out. In Phoenicia, the only scene outside Israel in this gospel, Jesus heals the Canaanite child. But first he utters the memorable insult that “it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs”.

Psalm Response: Let the Peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
(Isa 56: 1, 6-7; Ps 66(67); Rom 11: 13-15, 29-32; Mt 15:21-28)

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.

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