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

Scripture Readings

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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. We can wonder what Jesus’ transformed body was like. He was recognised, invited touch, but not limited by space or time.

In Acts Peter and John were arrested, then released. The growing Christian community lived in peace. Peter acted as judge of Israel once only, killing Ananias and his wife Sapphira for pretending to have given all their wealth to the community. In today’s reading the other disciples stand apart from the Apostles, apparently in awe after this display of Peter’s power – doubtless further amazed by these healing miracles.

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.

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

Scripture Readings

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Luke’s Book of Acts describes Jesus’ continuing activity on earth through his Holy Spirit. Cornelius was told in a vision to send for Peter. Meanwhile Peter in a vision was told that all animals and birds are suitable for eating, implying the restrictions of the Jewish Law were ending. So Peter was now willing to enter the house of Cornelius, even though he was a Gentile. Peter’s eloquent speech is interrupted by the Holy Spirit pouring his gifts on these Gentiles. Peter then realises that forgiveness of sins is offered to “everyone who believes” in Jesus’ name.
Paul draws the Colossians’ attention away from earthly rules of religion: they should focus on the life to come when they “will appear with Christ in glory”. In the alternative reading Paul tells the Corinthians that sexual immorality should be cleaned out of the Church, like old yeast before the feast of Unleavened Bread, which followed Passover.
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 is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

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

Scripture Readings

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In this suffering servant song Isaiah expresses the despondency of an exiled people apparently deserted by their God. But it is they who have fallen away. God has not gone back on his promise to them, and he will come to their help. But they must turn back to him and put all their trust in him, in spite of their sufferings. Christians applied this song to Jesus remaining faithful to his Father throughout his passion.
Paul pleaded for unity among the Philippians, who were divided by rivalry and personal vanity. Paul urged them to “do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather humbly regard others as more important than yourselves”. This hymn rejoices that, unlike Adam, Jesus did not try to be equal to God. Instead his crucifixion gives us the supreme example of faith and unselfish love. Therefore he was raised to new life, as those who follow his example will be also.

It is worth listening carefully for some of the differences in Luke’s description of Jesus’ passion. At the Last Supper Jesus shares the cup with his disciples twice, speaking of “the new covenant in my blood which will be poured out for you”. Luke inserts here the argument among his disciples about who is the greatest, for Jesus to insist that the greatest is “the one who serves”.

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

(Isaiah 50:4-7;Psalm 21;Phil 2:6-11;Luke 22:14-23:56)

Scripture Readings

Second Isaiah describes the new Exodus, the return from exile in Babylon. God shows who he is by freeing Israel, and by preparing and caring for them during their return journey. Because of this wonderful event his servant Israel will no longer need to remember their Exodus from Egypt. The exodus is a repeated pattern: Israel continues doing wrong. But the Lord forgave Israel’s many sins, which led to their exile, and will continue to do so, because “I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine”.

Writing from prison, Paul shares his hopes, fears and convictions with the Philippians. His previous righteousness under the Law seems worthless in comparison with the great gift of knowing Jesus Christ as Lord, and the righteousness that God gives through our faith in Christ. Possessed by Christ, he keeps his eye on the final goal of living in God’s new world.

The story of the woman caught in adultery is found in different places in various manuscripts: it fits better with Luke’s gospel, but here in John’s gospel it matches the changing mood. This chapter opens with people trying to stone a woman, but ends with them seeking to stone Jesus. Jesus has shown them God’s wisdom, different from men’s wisdom.

Psalm Response: What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.

Isaiah 43: 16-21 Psalm 125(126) Phil 3: 8-14 John 8: 1-11

Scripture Readings 13th March 2016 5th Sunday of Lent, Year A (Alternative)

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 Lenten readings from John, which are surely too dramatically detailed to be abbreviated? 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.

Ezek 37:12-14 Ps 129 Rom 8:8-11 Jn 11:1-45

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Scripture Readings

In the book of Joshua Israel’s conquest of Canaan, the promised land, starts with the miraculous crossing of the Jordan. The river waters were held back until all the people had crossed on dry ground. Then, before celebrating the Passover, all the men who had been born during the Exodus were circumcised to mark them now as Israelites, so removing the “shame of Egypt”. The place where they crossed was named Gilgal, a pun on the word meaning “remove”.
Paul reminds the Corinthians that as new creations in Christ they must forget their old ways of seeing the world. We have been given work to do, that of showing visibly in our lives that God has reconciled us to himself, just as Christ did by dying on the Cross.

Although Luke’s unique parable in today’s gospel is usually called “The Prodigal Son”, it is worth focussing on the behaviour of the other two people in the story. The father has been watching continually for his son’s return, and rushes out to meet him. A marvellous image of God the Father. But are we sometimes tempted to imitate the other son’s reactions to his father’s reconciliation with “this son of yours”?

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

(Joshua 5: 9, 10-12; Psalm 26(27); 2 Cor 5: 17-21; Luke 15:1-3,11-32)

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 entire Jewish sacred literature offers them hope and consolation. Look at the exultant attitude of the ungodly, who “summoned death by their deeds”. If we are here by chance, they thought, and leave no trace when we die, “let us enjoy the good things that exist” and “oppress the righteous”, simply because “he annoys us”. But Wisdom responds: “the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God”.

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

Scripture Readings

This chapter of Acts is the last about the Jerusalem church before Paul’s missionary journeys. We hear about Peter’s third arrest, 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.
A rather lonely Paul, abandoned in prison in Rome, writes these encouraging words to Timothy. Paul has solemnly commissioned Timothy to take over his ministry, and Paul urges him to keep on preaching the true Christian message in its entirety. But this will inevitably lead to similar suffering and Timothy will 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, and probably added later.

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

Scripture Readings

Satan challenged God that if Job lost all that he valued he would curse God. So God permitted Satan to test Job. After losing everything Job laments his losses, but rather than cursing God, Job asks why God has treated him – a just man – so badly. Eventually God answers at great length – a beautiful hymn of praise to God’s power over, and in, all creation, confirming that God is indeed “greater than any mortal”.

Paul has told the Corinthians he would prefer to be with the Lord, who has rescued him from near despair, but nevertheless he accepts that he is required to do further work on earth. He urges the Corinthians to constantly keep in mind the new creation they have become, now they know the risen Christ. So he does not lose heart nor give up hope, even though people might have thought God is no longer caring for him.

Today’s first reading supports Mark’s description of Jesus stilling the storm. But in Mark’s gospel the disciples do not understand: they cannot make the connection to the lesson learned so painfully by Job. They do not yet have faith in his continued care even when asleep! Understanding can come only after Jesus’ death on the cross.

Psalm Response: O Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures for ever.

Job 38: 1, 8-11; Ps106(107): 23-26, 28-31; 2 Cor 5: 14-17; Mark 4: 35-41

Scripture Readings

Writing in Babylon shortly after Israel’s deportation in 587 BC, Ezekiel
has many chapters about Israel’s failure to keep faith in God, leading
to their exile. But God keeps his promises: He will restore his people
to Israel. A remnant will survive and return to Zion. But the people
must repent and submit to the sovereignty of God. The Psalm looks
forward to when “the just” “will flourish in the courts of our God”.

Paul has described his sufferings to the Corinthians. He accepts that
while we are in our mortal bodies “we are being given up to death” “so
that Jesus may be made visible in our flesh”. We should have confidence
in the Lord: whatever problems we face in our earthly lives, we look
forward, “longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling”, our future,
resurrected body which is waiting for us.

In Mark’s gospel Jesus describes the kingdom of God in parables.
Examples of transformation surround us, seeds and larvae being amazingly
transformed. We may think the kingdom of God is “somewhere else”, in
heaven, rather than on earth. But Jesus’ parables do not suggest this,
and in the Lord’s prayer we ask every day that God’s kingdom come “on
earth, as it is in heaven”.

Psalm Response: It is good to give you thanks, O Lord.

Scripture Readings

After rescuing the Israelites from Egypt God gave Moses the Law, including the Ten Commandments, saying he would help them enter the land he had promised them. Moses explains God’s laws and promises to the people, and symbolises the people’s agreement to this covenant by throwing the blood of sacrificed animals over the altar and over the people.
The blood which ratified Israel’s covenant with God foreshadowed the people’s suffering before they could build their kingdom in the promised land. So the Letter to the Hebrews sees Jesus Christ’s suffering and bloody sacrifice as marking the new covenant, which enables the new people of God to enter their eternal inheritance. But, as Paul reminded us last week, as “co-heirs with Christ” we must share in Christ’s suffering “so as to share his glory”. God’s kingdom can be built only through suffering: the Cross is the only way. Like the apostles, we must also drink the cup Christ has drunk, as well as eating the heavenly food we celebrate today.
Mark’s gospel brings us back to the Passover blood of the lamb, with which the exodus began, then forward to the Last Supper, when Jesus’ own blood was drunk to initiate the new covenant. And Jesus commanded us to repeat the Eucharistic meal “until he comes”.

Psalm Response: The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name.

Exodus 24:3-8; Ps 115(116); Hebrews 9:11-15; Mark 14:12-16, 22-26