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

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

Acts 2:14,22-28; Psalm 15; 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. He then quotes from today’s Psalm (15/16) to show how King David expected a “holy one” who would not suffer corruption. The resurrection shows that Jesus, a descendant of David who worked many signs, is this expected “Anointed One”, “Messiah” in Hebrew, “Christ” in Greek. He now rightfully succeeds David as king of Israel.

Peter’s first letter reminds us of the price Jesus paid for our salvation in his suffering and death, so that through his resurrection we might “have faith and hope in God”. We will be judged impartially by our just God. So we should persevere in hope, not relaxing our Christian standards in face of persistent attacks and attractions of secular society.

In the Gospel Jesus appeared to the women. Then, without being recognised, 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.

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

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

The Book of Acts is read only between Easter and Pentecost, when it replaces readings from the Old Testament. This second part of Luke’s book describes the beginnings of the Church, as the Holy Spirit continues Christ’s work on earth. Today we hear Luke’s somewhat idealised picture of the early believers’ close-knit community, holding their resources in common, and practising their Jewish faith before meeting in their homes for the Eucharist.

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

Continuing his gospel about Jesus’ ministry before he died, Luke’s Book of Acts describes Jesus’ activity on earth through his Holy Spirit. In a vision Peter was told that all animals and birds are suitable for eating, indicating that the restrictions of the Jewish Law were coming to an end. He is then able to enter the house of Cornelius, a Gentile. Peter’s speech about what God has done in Jesus, is interrupted by the Holy Spirit welcoming the Gentile community into the church. Peter then realises that forgiveness of sins is offered to “everyone who believes” in Jesus’ name.

The short reading from Paul’s letter to the Colossians also draws attention away from earthly marks of religion: they should focus 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 – Vigil: Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.
Psalm Response – Sunday: This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad.

Acts 10:34,37-43 Psalm 117 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; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 26:14 – 27:66

Second Isaiah was writing during the exile of the Israelites in Babylon after Jerusalem was destroyed. The people are discouraged, in despair, and tempted to give up their faith in God. In the ‘servant-song’ Isaiah offers consolation, recommending non-resistance and 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. The Psalm continues this mood, but ends with praise.

The hymn in Philippians rejoices that – 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 of what is to happen – and allowing it. After the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, bitterness between Jews and Matthew’s Jewish-Christian community led Matthew to blame the Jews 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, who overcomes death. 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; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 26:14 – 27:66

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

Ezekiel was a priest exiled with the Jews to Babylon in 597 BC. The Jews had lost their king, land, and Temple, and all seemed lost for them as a nation. Ezekiel’s messages during the exile were encouraging, giving 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.

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 dramatic Lenten readings from John, which need to be read in full. Perhaps we should sit and 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.