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

Ex 34:4-6,8-9; Dan 3:52-56; 2 Cor 13:11-13; Jn 3:16-18

Seeing the Israelites dancing round the golden calf, Moses was angry and had thrown down and broken the tablets on which the Lord had written his covenant. The agreement with God was literally broken!

Now the Lord, a God of compassion, tells Moses to prepare two more tablets. After “passing before” Moses, the Lord declares that He is “a God merciful, … forgiving iniquity”. Moses asks the Lord to forgive his people, and the Lord re-affirms his covenant and again writes the Commandments on stone tablets.

Today’s psalm comes from the hymn of thanks in the story of Daniel, set in the 6th century BC but probably written about 165 BC. Daniel’s three companions refused to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s statue and so were thrown into a furnace so hot their guards were killed. But God protected the three men, who walked about inside the furnace with their clothes intact but their rope bindings burned off.

After Paul’s stern instructions to his beloved Corinthians, his second letter ends with this fond farewell, including the Trinitarian grace used widely by Christians.

At the beginning of John’s Gospel, after the wedding at Cana and the cleansing of the Temple, Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be “born again”. Nicodemus cannot understand this, but Jesus insists that those who refuse to believe and trust in Jesus condemn themselves.

Psalm Response: To you glory and praise for evermore.

(Ex 34:4-6,8-9; Dan 3:52-56; 2 Cor 13:11-13; Jn 3:16-18)

Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 103(104); 1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13; John 20:19-23

Pentecost was less understood by Christians than the other two Jewish pilgrimage feasts of Passover and Tabernacles. Then the Dead Sea Scrolls showed that Pentecost was associated with God giving the Covenant on Sinai, and enrolling new community members. The coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles fits neatly with this Covenant feast.

The Psalm calls us to praise God’s creative wisdom. Filled with wonder at the details of God’s glorious works, this psalm is well worth reading in full.

Acts tells us that they “had all met”, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. Wind and fire remind us of Sinai. The list of peoples who hear is effectively the programme for the mission now starting.

After rebuking the Corinthians for their factions and giving us the earliest description of the Eucharist, Paul shows how Christians together make up the one body of Christ on earth. It is the one Spirit who gives the gifts each of us needs for the particular task God has given us.

In the first ending of John’s Gospel, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalen after his resurrection, and then to the disciples together in a closed room “for fear of the Jews”. Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on them, sending them on mission with power to forgive sins.

Psalm Response: Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.

Acts 8:5-8,14-17
Psalm 65(66)
1 Peter 3:15-18 or 4:13-16
John 14:15-21 or 17:1-11

After Stephen had been killed, Saul led “a great persecution” against the Church in Jerusalem. The Hellenists were therefore driven out of Jerusalem and Philip takes the gospel to Samaria. Peter and John came to investigate these first non-Jew converts. The apostles confirmed these new members by laying hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

The psalm praises God’s power as revealed throughout history but especially during the Exodus.

Peter continues his advice to Christians suffering abuse and ridicule from their non-Christian neighbours. Do not be afraid! Stick to your principles, being ready to explain your reasons politely. And rejoice that your sufferings enable you to share in Christ’s sufferings so that you may share in his glory.

In John’s Gospel description of the Last Supper, Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to continue his work after he returns to his Father. The supper ends with Jesus’ great prayer to his Father for the Church he is leaving behind. All three persons of the Trinity are mentioned in the gospels, but the Church only gradually developed its understanding of the Trinity over many centuries. We believe that the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son (filioque). The Orthodox Church says that the Spirit comes from the Father through the Son.

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

(Acts 8:5-8,14-17; Psalm 65(66); 1 Peter 3:15-18 or 4:13-16; John 14:15-21 or 17:1-11)

Acts 2:14,36-41
Psalm 22(23)
1 Peter 2:20-25
John 10:1-10

Last Sunday we heard the middle section of Peter’s speech at Pentecost, saying the Resurrection shows Jesus was the Holy One expected by King David. Today the consequences: many of his hearers accept this and are told they must repent and be baptised. “Repent” in the sense of radically changing their life and directing it towards God. Even though Jesus does not appear to baptise during his lifetime, baptism is immediately the mark of membership of the new Christian community, at which they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The psalm celebrates God’s loving care for his people, like a shepherd guarding and guiding his flock, who are looking forward to his generous end-time feast.

Peter’s letter continues: God’s approval comes not from justifiable punishment but from suffering patiently even when we have done right. Christ patiently bore for us unjustified insults and hurts without retaliating, trusting completely in his Father. We must imitate the Lord our shepherd in every way, placing all our trust in him. He will “give us comfort” and “repose”.

In the Gospel John also sees Jesus as the Good Shepherd. He knows each one of us and leads us. We follow him because we know his voice. He is also the gate, through which we can enter and find safety.

Psalm Response: The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

(Acts 2:14,36-41; Psalm 22(23); 1 Peter 2:20-25; John 10:1-10)

Acts 2:14,22-28; Psalm 15(16); 1 Peter 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35

Today and next Sunday we hear parts of Peter’s speech at Pentecost. Peter emphasises that Jesus’ death was part of God’s plan, quoting the prophet Joel’s words about the wonders expected in the last days, when God’s Spirit will be poured out on all peoples. Jesus, a descendant of David is this expected “Anointed One”, “Messiah” in Hebrew, “Christ” in Greek, who now rightfully succeeds David as King of Israel.

The psalm, attributed to King David, expresses total confidence in God, who will not let his soul die and will not let “your faithful one” suffer corruption in the grave. Both Peter, in today’s reading, and Paul saw this as referring to Christ’s resurrection.

Peter’s first letter reminds us of the price Jesus paid for our salvation in his suffering and death, so that we might “have faith and hope in God”. We should persevere in hope, in face of attacks and attractions of secular society.

In the Gospel Jesus appeared to the women. Then he joins two disciples walking despondently to Emmaus, and explains the scriptures to them, before they recognise him “at the breaking of bread”. The appearances of Jesus after the resurrection invite us to listen carefully: he was clearly bodily present, not just a spirit. Yet he was different, and could only be recognised with faith.

Psalm Response: Show us, Lord, the path of life.

Scripture Readings 19th April 2020, Second Sunday of Easter Year A

Between Easter and Pentecost, readings from the Old Testament are replaced by the Book of Acts, about the beginnings of the Church as the Holy Spirit continues Christ’s work on earth. Today Luke describes the early believers’ close-knit community, holding their resources in common, and practising their Jewish faith before meeting in their homes for Eucharist.

More verses from the psalm used for the Easter Masses, rejoicing at the coming of the king.

This year the second readings during Eastertide are from the First Letter of Peter, the only time this letter is read on Sundays. Written from Rome to the Gentile Christians in Asia Minor. God gives us a new birth and a hope based on the resurrection. We must try as good citizens to maintain Christian standards amid pagan people. Suffering can purify our faith, enabling us to imitate Christ more. God cares for us while we look forward to our inheritance in heaven.

This first week of Easter ends with the first ending of John’s Gospel. Jesus appears twice to the apostles, sending them out to forgive sins. After doubting without seeing, Thomas utters the most complete expression of faith. The brief accounts of Jesus’ ministry are that we may “believe that Jesus is the Christ, and “have life in his name”.

Psalm Response: Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.

(Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 117(118); 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31)

Acts 10:34,37-43 Psalm 117(118) Romans 6:3-11/Colossians 3:1-4/1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Matthew 28:1-10/John 20:1-9

Luke’s book of Acts describes Jesus’ continuing activity on earth through his Holy Spirit. A vision shows Peter that all animals and birds are suitable for eating – the restrictions of the Jewish Law are ending. He can then enter the house of Cornelius, a Gentile. The Holy Spirit interrupts Peter’s speech by welcoming the Gentile community into the church. Peter then realises that forgiveness of sins is offered to “everyone who believes” in Jesus’ name.

This dramatic psalm gives thanks when the Lord responds to prayers for salvation. Verse 26 is the “Benedictus” of our Sanctus.

The short reading from Paul’s letter to the Colossians draws attention away from earthly marks of religion: their focus should be on the life to come when they “will appear with Christ in glory”. The alternative reading is an early Easter homily. In the Jewish calendar Passover was followed by the feast of Unleavened Bread.

In the three synoptic gospels three women discover the tomb empty and run to tell the apostles. But in John’s gospel Mary of Magdala is alone. She finds the stone removed from the tomb. Without going inside she runs to tell Peter. Peter goes in first and sees the empty burial cloths. When the other disciple goes in, he believes.

Psalm Response: This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad.

(Acts 10:34,37-43 Psalm 117(118) Romans 6:3-11/Colossians 3:1-4/1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Matthew 28:1-10/John 20:1-9)

Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 21(22); Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 26:14 – 27:66

In exile in Babylon, after Jerusalem was destroyed in 597 BC, the despairing people are tempted to give up their faith in God. In the ‘servant-song’ Isaiah offers consolation, recommending trust in the Lord.

Today Isaiah’s words express both our horror at the way Our Lord was treated, and our admiration for his example of patient non-retaliation. Trusting confidently in his Father, he “sets his face like flint”, even though it is covered with spittle.

On the Cross Jesus uttered the first words of this psalm which reflects his suffering. Not a cry of despair, but expressing Jesus’ complete confidence in his Father and praising the redemption bought by his Cross.

The hymn in Philippians rejoices: unlike Adam, Jesus did not seek to be equal to God. But God raised him to glory and gave him the name ‘Lord’. Jesus on the Cross invites us to imitate his humility.

Matthew’s Passion, with its lively dialogue, shows Jesus aware and in control. Writing after the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, Matthew blamed the Jewish leaders for Jesus’ death. Jesus died just before Passover, when Jews celebrated their freedom from slavery. Soldiers, Jewish leaders, the inscription on the Cross, all ironically give Jesus his true title of ‘King of the Jews’, the Messiah. Jesus’ obedience to God’s plan gives the Cross meaning.

Psalm Response: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

(Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 21(22); Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 26:14 – 27:66)

For the Jews after 597 BC, exiled in Babylon without their king, land, Temple, all seemed lost as a nation. Ezekiel’s encouraging messages gave them hope that the nation would rise and live again, like a field full of dry bones coming to life. But this will be the Lord’s doing, for the sake of his name, which they have profaned by their idolatry.

In deep sorrow the psalm cries to the Lord, begging pardon for our sins, trusting in God’s mercy and awaiting redemption in hope.

Writing to the Jewish Christians in Rome, Paul has been puzzling over our human condition: “I do not do the good that I want, but I do the evil that I hate”. Mortal flesh is weak. “But God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh” so that the Son’s Spirit might give us the strength to live according to His Spirit. Paul’s conclusion: with Christ’s Spirit in us we are given life reconciled with God both now and in bodily resurrection after death.

These foretastes of resurrection prepare us for John’s description of the raising of Lazarus, the third of the three beautiful Lenten readings from John. Perhaps we should ponder how difficult it is to believe, and how difficult it was for Martha to open the tomb?

Psalm Response: With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.

(Ezekiel 37:12-14; Psalm 129(130); Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45)

Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7; Psalm 50(51); Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11

From Genesis we have the second and probably older description of the creation of humanity. This expresses the truth that God made us as “living beings”. By eating the forbidden fruit, man does “become like God”, able to make choices, but without the wisdom needed to choose well. Perhaps like a child’s growing self-awareness. The mischievous serpent later came to be interpreted as Satan.

This penitential psalm begs pardon for our sins, asking to be restored to grace and purity, and promising to make God’s mercy known to others.

Paul has been arguing to the Romans that righteousness comes only through faith. Human beings are unable to become righteous by following the Law given to Moses, which identifies – but does not help to avoid – sin. God offers righteousness as gift, through Jesus’ obedience to his Father.

In Matthew’s gospel the devil introduces each temptation with the words: “If you are the Son of God”, exploring what can it mean for Jesus to be “Son of God”? Is he a miracle-worker, able to satisfy all desires without effort? Is it about showy displays of power or trying to make God do what we want, in return for belief in him? Jesus dismisses Satan, showing his real power. Jesus will rule over all creation, but only through the Cross.

Psalm Response: Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7; Psalm 50(51); Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11