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

Is 66:10-14; Ps 65(66):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 coming with Jesus’ resurrection.

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

This fond farewell concludes our readings from Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Human distinctions and marks on our flesh like circumcision no longer signify. We have become a new Spirit-filled 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, affecting our whole lives.

In the reading from Luke’s gospel last week, Jesus “set himself to travel to Jerusalem”. For the rest of Ordinary Time, the “ordinally numbered weeks”, all our gospel readings are from his journey, as Jesus 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 her mind about Jesus.

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

Chris

This is the last chapter in Acts about the Jerusalem church before Paul’s missionary journeys. Peter’s third arrest is this time by Herod who is the grandson of the Herod when Jesus was born. The story of Peter being freed from prison is so lovingly told that the parallels with Jesus’ arrest may be missed. Like Jesus, Peter was arrested during the Passover, and was also taken for a ghost, here by the maid, Rhoda, who shuts the door in his face. The angel who proclaimed Jesus to be risen, and who frees Peter, goes on to strike Herod dead.

The psalm thanks the Lord for help in difficult times, urging us to glorify the Lord, who is always ready to give comfort.

A rather lonely Paul, abandoned in prison, writes these encouraging words to Timothy, whom Paul has commissioned to take over his ministry. Paul urges him to keep on preaching the true Christian message in its entirety. But Timothy will therefore suffer and need always to rely on the Lord’s strength.

Today’s gospel is Matthew’s version of Jesus asking who people say he is. It is similar to Luke’s version. But Matthew inserts the well-known commissioning of Peter to be the rock of the Church, the only reference in all the gospels to the whole Church.

Psalm Response: From all my terrors the Lord set me free.

Proverbs 8:22-31, Psalm 8:4-9, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15

Written after the return from the exile in Babylon, the Wisdom books contain the practical knowledge of both the Israelites and the peoples around them, accumulated over two thousand years. Wisdom is the art of living a life at peace with God and with other people. It was developed by reflecting on the great questions: life, death, suffering, love, evil, relationships. It was seen to be a universal guide for living, and so given by God. So Wisdom came to be seen as a person – the caring, feminine side of God, existing from all eternity. In today’s reading from Proverbs Wisdom speaks of sharing God’s delight in His work at the beginning of creation.

The Psalm expresses our amazement at the dignity the infinite God has given to mankind’s finite nature in his wonderful creation.

In his letter to the Romans Paul insists that being justified, or made “at peace” with God, means that our previous alienation from God is overcome. God’s love “poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit” has brought us into an intimate relationship with God, but we confidently hope in a more glorious intimacy in the future.

No wonder Jesus says in John’s Gospel “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now”. The Spirit gives us understanding.

Psalm Response: How great is your name, O Lord our God, through all the earth.

Acts 2: 1-11; Psalm 103(104); Romans 8: 8-17; John 14: 15-16, 23-26

The Jewish feast of Pentecost, 50 days after Passover, was less well known than the other two pilgrimage feasts. Passover was linked to the nomadic sacrifice of lambs and the barley harvest in the Spring. Tabernacles after the grape harvest was associated with the wanderings in the desert. Recently it was realised that Pentecost was associated with God giving the Covenant on Sinai. So the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles at Pentecost fits neatly with this Covenant feast: the formal birth of the Christian Church. Acts lists the regions where the Church was to grow.

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.

Paul urges the Romans to live by the Spirit who, with Christ, has made his home in us. We are now Sons of God. If we are led by the Spirit within us to follow God’s laws, we will have confidence that the
Father will “give life to our mortal bodies”, just as Jesus was raised.

In John’s Gospel we hear from Jesus’ long Last Supper talk, promising that his Father would send the Advocate, through whom he and the Father would be with his church for all time.

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

(Acts 2: 1-11; Psalm 103(104); Romans 8: 8-17; John 14: 15-16, 23-26)

Acts 7:55-60, Ps 96 (97), Rev 22:12-14, 16-17, 20, John 17:20-26

Our final reading from Acts before Pentecost describes the martyrdom of Stephen, in which he echoes Jesus’ words of forgiveness on the Cross. Stephen’s death was followed both by persecution of Greek-speaking believers who fled, spreading the gospel outside Jerusalem, and by Paul’s life-changing journey to Damascus.

The psalm rejoices in God’s justice: as judge over all the world those obedient to God’s Law will be rewarded, and the disobedient will be punished.

The book of Revelation ends with these promises: God’s justice will be seen in action, the just will receive everlasting life in the New Jerusalem; all who ask may have the water of life; Maranatha, come Lord Jesus, Jesus come as Lord.

In John’s Gospel, at the climax of the Last Supper, immediately before his arrest, Jesus makes this heart-felt “high-priestly prayer” to his Father. He has done all that his Father asked; like Isaac he is willing to be the sacrifice of his Father’s only son. Before going to his death he prays that his followers may be as united as He and the Father are, and that they may share in the Father’s love.

Psalm Response: The Lord is king, most high above all the earth.

(Acts 7:55-60, Ps 96 (97), Rev 22:12-14, 16-17, 20, John 17:20-26)

Acts 14:21-27; Psalm144(145):8-13; Rev 21:1-5; John 13:32-35

Last week in Acts the first mission of Paul and Barnabas started. They preached in synagogues, with mixed receptions. Many Jews became Christians. But many did not, stirring up hatred and violence against the Apostles, leaving Paul for dead. Barnabas and Paul then preached to the Gentiles, showing how they could recognise God’s activity in nature. Today we hear how this first mission ends, with religious leaders appointed in each church, and a report of “what God had done”.

The Psalm praises the Lord’s kindness and care for creation.

In Revelation the promise of salvation described last week is now accomplished. The new Jerusalem comes down adorned as a bride for her marriage with the Lamb, the union of the Messiah with the community of the elect. God dwells with men on earth, after the “former heaven and the former earth” are replaced by a “new heaven and a new earth”. God’s ancient covenant is fulfilled.

In the Gospel we hear the first of Jesus’ farewell discourses at the Last Supper. Jesus is sad to leave his followers. After washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus draws out the meaning of this action. He predicts his coming death and gives a new commandment: love one another. The true mark of discipleship is that we “have love for one another”.

Psalm Response: I will bless your name for ever, O God my King.

Acts 13: 14, 43-52; Psalm 99(100); Rev 7: 9, 14-17; John 10: 27-30

The Antioch church sent Barnabas and Paul on mission. After visiting Cyprus, Barnabas’ birthplace, they arrived at Perga on the south coast of what is now Turkey, and travelled north to Antioch in Pisidia. Everywhere they went they spoke first to the Jews about Jesus as the climax of the whole Jewish history. Jesus who was killed by the Jewish leaders, but raised from the dead by God. At first many Jews listened attentively.

The processional psalm sings joyfully of God: “he made us, we belong to him”.

In the Book of Revelation John sees events in heaven which mirror events on earth. Witnesses persecuted for their beliefs do not suffer in vain: they will be vindicated and evildoers punished. Not vengeance, but God’s justice. And a message of hope: the faithful of every nation will be rewarded with perfect life in God’s renewed creation.

In John’s Gospel, after Jesus had healed the man born blind, the Jewish leaders argued about Jesus, and asked him to say plainly if he was the Messiah. Jesus says the healing he does in the Father’s name testifies to him. He ends with a clear statement: “I and the Father are one” The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus: they understood Jesus was claiming to be God.

Psalm Response: We are his people, the sheep of his flock.

Acts 5:27-32, 40-41; Psalm 29(30); Rev 5:11-14; John 21:1-19

After the healings we heard in last week’s reading from the Book of Acts, the Apostles were again arrested, but miraculously freed. They immediately continued teaching in the Temple, and were again brought before the Sanhedrin, where they defended themselves strongly. Omitted from today’s reading is Gamaliel’s urging that they be released because if their activity “comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them”.

The psalm thanks God for rescue from a sudden illness.

In the Book of Revelation John sees God seated on a throne, with praises rippling out through widening circles of heavenly creatures. The one on the throne holds a scroll written on both sides and sealed with seven seals. An angel proclaims “Who is worthy to open the scroll?” But everyone is in despair because there seems to be no one worthy to break the seals and open the scroll. But then someone says “The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David has triumphed”. Instead of a lion, a slain lamb steps forward to receive the scroll.

After the reading last week of the first ending to John’s Gospel, we hear today most of the second ending. With his three repeated questions, Jesus forgives Peter’s three denials, and insists that the essential pre-condition for authority is love.

Psalm Response: I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.

(Acts 5:27-32, 40-41; Psalm 29(30); Rev 5:11-14; John 21:1-19)

Acts 5:12-16; Ps 117(118); Rev 1:9-19; John 20:19-31

All the first readings of Eastertide are from the Acts of the Apostles describing the early years of the Church. The second readings are from the Book of Revelation, John’s vision of the new life in heaven promised to all believers. The readings from John’s Gospel describe Jesus’ resurrection appearances and claims of his unity with the Father. Today the risen Jesus identifies himself as the one crucified, before this Gospel’s first ending.

In Acts Peter and John were arrested, then released. Then the growing Christian community lived in peace. Peter only once acted as judge of Israel, killing Ananias and Sapphira for lying to the Holy Spirit. In today’s reading the other disciples stand apart from the Apostles, apparently in awe after this display of Peter’s power.

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

John is exiled to the island of Patmos, south-west of Ephesus, for spreading the gospel. In this first chapter of Revelation a figure appears to John in his vision, identifying himself both as the risen “Son of Man”, which Jesus called himself while on earth, and as “the First and the Last” – ie God. John is commanded to write down what is now to be revealed to him.

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

Acts 10:34,37-43;Ps 117(118); Rom 6:3-11/Col 3:1-4/1Cor 5:6-9;Luke 24:1-12/Jn 20:1-9

Luke’s Book of Acts describes how after his death Jesus continues his work on earth through his Holy Spirit, who interrupts Peter’s speech to Cornelius. Peter then realises that forgiveness of sins is offered to “everyone who believes” in Jesus’ name.

The dramatic psalm thanks and praises the Lord for rescuing us from the dangers threatening us. It includes the shouts that welcomed Jesus into the Temple on Palm Sunday, now the second verse of the “Holy, Holy, Holy”.

Our second readings are all from Paul’s letters. The vigil reading from Romans compares baptism to death: our sinful life has died: we have risen to a new life in Christ. The Sunday reading from Colossians draws attention away from earthly marks of religion: our focus should be on our new life in Christ. 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, who disbelieve. But in John’s gospel Mary of Magdala, alone, 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 (Sunday): This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad.

(Acts 10:34,37-43;Ps 117(118); Rom 6:3-11/Col 3:1-4/1Cor 5:6-9;Luke 24:1-12/Jn 20:1-9)