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

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

Probably written in the fifth century BC, after the return from the exile, the apocalyptic oracles of Zechariah 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).

Over the next few weeks we hear about the “life in the Spirit” from chapter 8 of Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome. Paul has bemoaned our inability to “do the good I want!” He 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”.

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

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 about the prophet Elisha and the Shunammite woman. She recognises this frequent passer-by as a holy man and 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.

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 evoked by sin but is the expression of God’s love. This leads to today’s profound reading: “we were buried with Christ through baptism into death” so that we “might live in newness of life”. We must think of ourselves “as being dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus”. After our ritual death in baptism we must unite ourselves with Christ and we will eventually 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.

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. Other counsellors had Jeremiah scourged for prophesying that the Lord would punish the city because the people had not obeyed the words of the one God. Here 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.

In his letter to the Romans Paul continues reflecting 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, and so continue to suffer death. But “the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one person Jesus Christ overflow for the many”, making 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.

Psalm Response: In your great love, answer me, O God.

Deut 8:2-3,14-16; Ps 147; 1 Cor 10:16-17; Jn 6:51-58

Deuteronomy, the “second” book of the law, collected and organised the whole Jewish law from the previous four books. It emphasises that Israel must remember how they had been tested in the wilderness so that they would not again neglect their God. God provided manna and land for their needs, but warned them not to think their success was due to their own efforts.

Paul recalls the wanderings of the Jews in the desert to warn the Corinthians not to have anything to do with idols. They must not compromise. Worship is more than words and actions, it implies the spiritual reality of becoming partners. We cannot share in Christ’s body and blood while also seeking demons such as money and power. Belonging to Christ must be total.

Chapter six of John’s gospel describes Jesus feeding the five thousand before saying that the manna came not from Moses but from the Father. And it is the Father who now offers “the true bread from heaven”, which “gives life to the world” – that is, Jesus himself. Jesus’ teaching is stark. Many could not accept it then, or now. But Jesus insists: we must show we are united with him body and soul by our physical communion with him – and so be united with all his followers. Faith must always be shown by action.

Psalm Response: O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!

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, revealed as 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; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13; John 20:19-23

Until recently 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 it was at Pentecost that new community members were enrolled. So the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles at Pentecost fits neatly with this Covenant feast.

Acts tells us that they “had all met”, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. God often made himself known with wind and fire. The list of peoples who hear and understand the Apostles extends from the east to west of the empire: effectively this is 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 individual needs for the particular task God has given him or her.

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

Psalm Response: Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.
Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 103; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13; John 20:19-23

Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 46; Ephesians 1:17-23; Matthew 28:16-20

Luke’s Gospel opens in the Temple in Jerusalem with the angel appearing to Zechariah, and ends, after the ascension, with the disciples joyfully praising God in the Temple, still in Jerusalem. Acts starts with Jesus’ appearances over 40 days and his ascension, but finishes in Rome. This “double ascension” links Jesus’ ministry “to the lost sheep of Israel” with the apostles’ witness “to the ends of the earth”. The coming of God’s Kingdom was enacted by Jesus. His Kingdom will continue to be present on earth in and through the witness of his people, the Church. When God’s Kingdom is finally established over the whole world. Jesus will return to the Mount of Olives, where the Jews expect all the nations to stream.

Paul opened his letter to the Ephesians by reminding them that God has made known to us the mystery of his plan “to unite all things in Jesus”. He then prays that they may know the hope – ie confidence – that this revelation gives us, ending with his understanding of the Church as Christ’s body.

Matthew’s Gospel ends with Jesus commissioning the Apostles to “make disciples of all the nations”. Both Luke and Matthew, writing about 40 years after the Ascension, emphasise that Christians are to show their commitment by being baptised.

Psalm Response: God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.

Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 46; Ephesians 1:17-23; Matthew 28:16-20

Scripture Readings 28th May 2017, 7th Sunday of Easter, Year A

The “double ascension” links Jesus’ ministry “to the lost sheep of Israel” with the apostles’ witness “to the ends of the earth”. God’s Kingdom, whose coming was enacted by Jesus, includes both forgiveness and judgement. After praying in the upper room, the eleven remaining apostles filled the vacancy in the ‘twelve’ – the twelve judges of Israel. Then the new-born Church was ready for its mission to be inaugurated at Pentecost. When God’s Kingdom is finally established over the whole world. Jesus will return to the Mount of Olives, where the Jews expect all the nations to stream.

Expecting this end to disorder in the world to come soon, Peter continues his letter by encouraging Christians to avoid the sinful behaviour of others. Be glad, even if being a Christian brings suffering – as it will. Our suffering, like that of Jesus, shows the coming of God’s Kingdom.

Jesus ends his long teaching at the last supper with this heartfelt prayer for those who believe in him. He has told his apostles they will be scattered. But He and his Father will take care of them, and Jesus prays that they may always be one, just as Jesus and the Father are one. Then He goes to the Mount of Olives to be arrested.

Psalm Response: I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.

Acts 1:12-14; Ps 26; 1 Peter 4:13-16; John 17:1-11.

Acts 8:5-8,14-17; Psalm 65; 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. As a consequence the Hellenists were 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 their membership by laying hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

Peter continues his advice to Christians suffering abuse and ridicule from their non-Christian neighbours. Do not be afraid! Gently but firmly 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 description of the Last Supper in his Gospel, 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; 1 Peter 3:15-18 or 4:13-16; John 14:15-21 or 17:1-11

Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 32; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12

The dispute with the Hellenists, described in Acts, is highly significant for its resolution. There are several ways of resolving community arguments. A common way is schism: you go your way, we’ll go ours. Miraculously the early Christians managed to maintain fellowship by allowing each group to manage its own affairs.

The Hellenists were Christian Greek-speaking Jews. As Stephen’s speech later shows, the Hellenists bitterly opposed the Jewish Temple authorities, who drove them out of Jerusalem, starting the spread of Christianity. The Apostles were not expelled, and continued their work, with many Jews including priests being converted.

Peter’s letter continues encouraging persecuted Christians by reminding them that we are “a body of priests, … a people set apart to sing the praises of God”. Each preface concludes with the words: “every land, every people exults in” God’s praise. At Mass we – as priests – offer all we have done during the week, our presence together in community, and our material gifts, as a sacrifice to confirm our allegiance to Christ, just as God’s sacrifice of his Son showed his love for us.

In John’s Gospel, after washing the disciples’ feet and foretelling his death, Jesus emphasises his intimate relationship with the Father, saying “to have seen me is to have seen the Father”.

Psalm May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.

Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 32; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12

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

Last Sunday we heard the middle section of Peter’s speech at Pentecost in which he said that the Resurrection shows that 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 reading from Peter’s letter also continues from last week, but omits the saying that there is no credit in patiently bearing punishment that is deserved. God’s approval comes from suffering patiently even when we have done right. For us, Christ patiently bore 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; 1 Peter 2:20-25; John 10:1-10