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

Wisdom 7: 7-11; Psalm 89(90): 12-17; Hebrews 4: 12-13; Mark 10: 17-30

The last of the Old Testament books to be written, the Wisdom of Solomon was written to encourage Jews living in the rational Greek culture of Alexandria. Today’s reading is part of a speech ascribed to Solomon, describing what Wisdom is, and why we should seek her. Solomon prayed and was given wisdom which he sees as “a breath of the power of God”, “a reflection of eternal light”, “an image of God’s goodness”. And so to be desired above all riches.
The psalm, attributed to Moses, compares God’s awesome eternity to the shortness of Moses’ and our lives, asking God for wisdom, so that our work be firmly based. Filling our short lives with God’s love is all we need to be full of joy.
The Letter to the Hebrews has insisted Jesus, a man like other men, is capable of leading into God’s rest those who hear and obey “the living Word of God”, which, like a sword, can unfailingly “judge secret emotions and thoughts”.
Jesus continues to teach on his way to Jerusalem: the rich man appears to have heard the good news, but does not have the wisdom to let go of his riches. How hard it is to do so! We cannot practise this wisdom without God’s help.
Psalm Response: Fill us with your love so that we may rejoice.

(Wisdom 7: 7-11; Psalm 89(90): 12-17; Hebrews 4: 12-13; Mark 10: 17-30)

Chris

Gen 2:18-24; Ps 127(128); Heb 2:9-11; Mk 10:2-16

In this second version of creation, since God has created man as social being like himself, he now creates woman, to support and join with him.

The psalm celebrates the blessings of children and family life.

Readings from the Letter to the Hebrews will take us up to the end of Ordinary Time. The most Jewish of the New Testament books, it has a rich theology of Christ’s priesthood. Jesus is greater than the angels as God, but lower than the angels as man. Christ’s priestly sacrifice, as man and as God’s Son, renews once and for ever the covenant God has made with man.

As intermediaries, priests offer prayers and sacrifices to God on our behalf. Not seeking to change God’s mind. Relationships are confirmed with celebratory meals and things of value sacrificed by making them unusable. A wedding feast confirms our witness and support for the vows made by the married couple.

In Mark’s Gospel Jesus continues teaching during his journey to Jerusalem. He insists on the full meaning of the Law, which Mark updates, applying it also to a Gentile woman divorcing her husband. The union of a man and a woman in a marriage made by God cannot be unmade. Children help us to recognise our utter dependence on God.

Psalm Response: May the Lord bless us all the days of our life.

(Gen 2:18-24; Ps 127(128); Heb 2:9-11; Mk 10:2-16)

Numbers 11: 25-29; Psalm 18(19); James 5:1-6; Mark 9: 38-48

The Book of Numbers mainly describes Israel’s wanderings in the wilderness from Mount Sinai towards the Promised Land. The people frequently murmured complaints against Moses, who found the burden of leadership too much to bear. Bored with the daily diet of manna, the people complain, so God gives them heaps of quail, but then punishes them for their greed. God gives some of his spirit to seventy elders to share Moses’ burden, but even if the whole people became prophets Moses must continue alone as leader.

The psalm rejoices in the way both the heavens and God’s commandments reveal the glory of the Lord, while reminding us that we need cleansing from even our “hidden faults”.

Our last reading from the letter of James reminds those who are well off that life is short and their sins will be punished. We should patiently share the earth’s fruits until the Lord’s coming.

In Mark’s Gospel we hear Jesus’ last teachings before he starts his final journey to Jerusalem. Like Moses, Jesus confirms that people may work in God’s name even if they have not been formally appointed. God’s work is not limited to formal organisations. Above all, we should keep our mind on God’s kingdom, not be tempted away from it by the pleasures of this world.

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

(Numbers 11: 25-29; Psalm 18(19); James 5:1-6; Mark 9: 38-48)

Wisdom 2:12,17-20; ; Psalm 53(54); ; James 3:16 – 4:3; Mark 9: 30-37

Wisdom was the last book of the Old Testament to be written, probably in Alexandria about 50 BC. Written in Greek, it is not in the Hebrew Scriptures and is therefore treated as apocryphal in non-Catholic bibles. The wicked are blinded by their thoughts: “haphazard were we born”, they thought, and we leave no trace when we die, “because noone returns.” So “let us enjoy the good things that exist” and “oppress the righteous”, simply because “he annoys us”. But Wisdom responds: “God formed man to be imperishable; in the image of his own nature”.

The psalm implores God’s help against our enemies, confident that he will help.

James’ letter continues emphasising we must show our faith in good works, for which we need “wisdom from above”. We must “show works in the meekness of wisdom”, not in “jealousy and selfish ambition”. “Friendship with the world is enmity with God”.

In the Gospel Jesus uses a quiet moment on the way back from the Transfiguration to tell his disciples again that he will be killed and “after three days he will rise”. But as yet they cannot understand. He then insists that his way is to “be last of all and servant of all”, giving welcome to the least significant, even little children. God’s wisdom is not the world’s wisdom.

Psalm Response: The Lord upholds my life

(Wisdom 2:12,17-20; ; Psalm 53(54); ; James 3:16 – 4:3; Mark 9: 30-37)

Isaiah 50: 5-9; Psalm 114(116); James 2: 14-18; Mark 8: 27-35

Second Isaiah was writing during the exile in Babylon. Israel had lost land, king, and Temple. But Isaiah confidently proclaims hope of returning to Jerusalem: have no fear, whatever ills beset us, God is on our side and will save us.

The Psalm offers an individual’s grateful praise to the Lord: in danger of death he trusted in the Lord who saved him.

James’ letter develops last week’s theme of what faith is: real faith cannot help but be expressed in good works. James insists that you cannot show you have faith without showing the good works it produces. He then gives examples: Abraham, who offered Isaac; and Rahab the prostitute, who protected Joshua’s spies in Jericho. Both were justified by their works of faith. This message challenges us today: is giving money enough?

For the first time in Mark’s Gospel a human being acknowledges Jesus as the Christ. But then Peter immediately gets it wrong and is severely chastised by Jesus: God’s ways are not our ways. Jesus has to suffer the humiliation Isaiah described to show the way we must follow to salvation. The way of the Cross is the only way, and we must imitate Jesus’ faith in his Father and follow his way in faith.

Psalm Response: I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

(Isaiah 50: 5-9; Psalm 114(116); James 2: 14-18; Mark 8: 27-35)

Isaiah 35: 4-7; Psalm 145(146):7-10; James 2: 1-5; Mark 8: 27-35

First Isaiah preached in Jerusalem before the exile in 587 BC. In God’s presence in the Temple, Isaiah became aware that the great sin is pride: we think we can “do it my way”. The nation’s disasters were their own fault. They must trust in God, especially in face of the constant threats from Assyria. After dire descriptions of the calamities to come, Isaiah paints this encouraging eschatological picture of the kingdom in the end time.

The psalm praises and thanks God for his generosity and kindness, especially to those who put their trust in him.

James continues his theme that faith must be shown in what we do. His mentioning “synagogue” reminds us how Jewish was the Christian community this “brother of the Lord” was writing for. He insists that faith in Jesus is not compatible with treating people differently depending how we see them. We are in no position to judge the worth of others.

In Mark’s Gospel we see God’s kingdom breaking into creation, as Jesus heals first the Syro-phoenician woman’s daughter and then a deaf-mute. Isaiah’s prophecy is being fulfilled. Naturally the disciples cannot help spreading this good news far and wide. But Jesus cautions them not to do so yet, because his work will not be understood until after the Crucifixion.

Psalm Response:        My soul, give praise to the Lord.

(Isaiah 35: 4-7; Psalm 145(146):7-10; James 2: 1-5; Mark 8: 27-35)

1 Kings 19: 4-8; Psalm 33(34): 2-9; Eph 4:30-5:2; John 6: 41-51

Elijah had defeated the gods of Baal by pouring water over the firewood, and then asking God to accept his sacrifice, thus bringing rain to end the drought he had predicted. The king’s wife, Jezebel, had brought worship of Baal to Israel, so she was very angry, and sought to kill Elijah, who fled in despair. But today we hear how God encourages Elijah to continue his journey to Mount Sinai, and, as during the Exodus, God provides food and water for the journey.

The psalm invites us to praise the Lord, who will help us in time of need.

Our readings from the letter to the Ephesians continue with rules for the new life, teasing out the real meaning of the Ten Commandments. But in loving others we must be prepared to suffer persecution and even death, as Christ did.

Jesus’ teaching on the Eucharist in Chapter 6 of John’s Gospel continues. Last week we heard Jesus say “I am the bread of life”. This week Jesus takes it further: just as God fed Elijah, and had fed the Israelites with manna and quails during the Exodus, Jesus feeds us with the “living bread”. Even more: the bread that Jesus gives is his own flesh. Next week we hear reactions to this astounding claim.

Psalm Response: Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Exodus 16: 2-4, 12-15; Psalm 77(78); Eph 4: 17, 20-24; John 6: 24-35

Exodus, the second of the five books of the Law, tells of Moses leading the Israelites through the desert to the promised land, a collection of slaves becoming a people, developing culture and laws. Above all coming to recognise and worship the God who saved them as the one God. They often rebelled and murmured against Moses. But God fed them in the desert with quails and manna – ‘daily, or tomorrow’s bread’.

The psalm reminds us of the importance of handing down to later generations the traditions of God’s dealings with his people.

Paul continues reminding the Ephesians of the new rules they must live by. Not overturning the rules in Exodus, but demanding more and deeper conformity to Jesus’ way. We have to put aside our old self which – as Paul knows very well – so easily “gets corrupted by following illusory desires”. We must “put on the new self that has been created in God’s way”.

In chapter 6 of John’s Gospel, after Jesus fed five thousand, he starts to explain the meaning of this miracle. Jesus feeds us, just as God fed the Israelites in the wilderness. Gently Jesus corrects the Jews’ understanding of Exodus: It was not “Moses who gave” but Jesus’ “Father who gives the bread from heaven” – now and always.

Psalm Response: The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

(Exodus 16: 2-4, 12-15; Psalm 77(78); Eph 4: 17, 20-24; John 6: 24-35)Chris

Jeremiah 23: 1-6; Psalm 22(23); Eph 2: 13-18; Mark 6: 30-34

Jeremiah was preaching around 600 BC. For forty years before the exile he reminded Judah’s rulers how they had broken the covenant, worshipping other gods and taking advantage of the poor. His warnings were ignored, Jerusalem was destroyed, and the people taken into exile in Babylon.

But the Lord promises to rescue his people. He will make a new covenant and send a descendant of David to rule with truth, integrity and honesty.

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

Paul tells the Ephesians that Gentiles and Jews, previously separated by the Law, have now become one “by the blood of Christ”. The Law’s barriers have been broken down, and God’s covenant now extends to Gentiles. Early proposals for Christians to ignore the Jewish Scriptures were rejected, and the Old Testament readings now included at Mass can help our faith.

Mark’s Gospel has described the death of John the Baptist while the apostles were away on their mission. On their return Jesus takes them away ‘on retreat’. But the crowds follow, setting the scene for the feeding miracles. For the next five weeks we switch to John’s Gospel for a fuller account of Eucharistic feeding.

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

Amos 7:12-15; Psalm 84(85): 9-1 4; Eph 1: 3-14; Mark 6: 7-13

The first six chapters of the Book of Amos show in detail why the Jews will suffer judgement. Amaziah denounces Amos to the northern king for his unwelcome prophecies. Speaking around 760 BC, Amos bravely ignores him, and continues to warn the people. 200 years later his warnings were written down – because he was right: the northern kingdom had rejected God, and was destroyed.

The Psalm describes the coming happiness revealed by the Lord: virtues are imagined as courtiers of the returned king.

Over the next seven weeks we hear extracts from Paul’s breathtaking letter “to the Ephesians”. Its ideas can flow past us so quickly that we can easily miss their significance. If we stop after each phrase and ponder its meaning, we see a God very different from common belief. A God who lovingly “chose us in Christ” “before the world was made”. A God whose “hidden plan he so kindly made in Christ from the beginning”, so that we might “live through love in his presence”. This was no ‘plan B’, suddenly concocted to correct a mistake!

In Mark’s gospel, after his rejection in his home town we heard last week, Jesus now sends the disciples out on mission Next week we hear about their experiences.

Psalm Response: Let us see, O Lord, your mercy, and give us your saving help.