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

Scripture Readings

Pentecost, 50 days after Passover, was one of the three Jewish pilgrimage feasts. Nomadic Hebrews sacrificed lambs in the spring to ensure adequate water for their flocks through the dry season. Settled into agriculture, they celebrated the barley harvest a few days later. These two linked feasts became associated with the Passover in Egypt when the plague “passed over” houses with doorposts marked with the blood of a lamb. Tabernacles, when everyone slept in tents on the hillsides for the grape harvest, was associated with the temporary shelters during the 40 years of wilderness wandering.

The Dead Sea Scrolls showed new community members were enrolled at Pentecost, which was associated with God giving the Covenant on Sinai. Pentecost fits neatly with this Covenant feast: the formal birth of the Christian Church and the commitment and strengthening of the Christian community for its task.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit not only enabled the disciples to speak in foreign languages: it gave them the courage to travel throughout the countries listed in the first reading, fearlessly proclaiming “the marvels of God”. The Holy Spirit gives each person the skills they need and the strength to avoid self-indulgence. And the Church, Christ’s presence on earth, is promised the constant support and guidance of the Advocate.

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

(Acts 2: 1-11; Psalm 103(104); Gal 5: 16-25; John 15: 26-27, 16: 12-15)

Scripture Readings 17th May 2015, Ascension, Year B

Luke begins Acts by repeating Jesus’ ascension, both to emphasise its importance and to link the coming work of the apostles with Jesus’ earthly ministry. Before Pentecost the disciples still do not understand, asking if the time has come for the kingdom of Israel to be restored. But Jesus’ restored kingdom will be the people of God: it is about mission, not knowledge. Jesus must return to the Father so that the Holy Spirit can come and give them power to be his witnesses “to the ends of the earth”. The two men from the Transfiguration and the empty tomb appear again promising Jesus will return. But we are not to know when.
Both alternative second readings are from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, which gives a broad, developed understanding of Jesus. So the “hymn in Ephesians” praises the glorified Christ, revealed by his resurrection and ascension, now ruling as universal king and head of the Church, his body. The alternative reading urges us to behave charitably, seeking unity in the one Lord, and using the share of grace we have each been given after Jesus’ ascension.
In the second ending of Mark’s gospel, before the Lord was taken up into heaven, the apostles are commissioned as his witnesses.

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

(Acts 1: 1-11; Psalm 46(47); Eph 1:17-23 or Eph 4: 1-13; Mark 16: 15-20)

Scripture Readings

Much has happened in Acts since last Sunday’s reading: Peter and some apostles have been imprisoned and beaten before being set free again. Some “Hellenists” – apparently Greek-speaking Christians – complained about their treatment by the Hebrew-speaking Christians, and seven Greeks were appointed to look after the Hellenists. Stephen was arrested and his speech to the Jewish leaders suggests that the Hellenists were persecuted by the Jews because they did not join in the Jewish Temple worship.
Today we hear how Paul returns from his conversion near Damascus and is accepted by the Hebrew Christians. But not by the Hellenists, so has to be hustled out of town. The Hellenists were also driven out by the Jews, and so the Gospel spreads – to Phoenicia, Antioch and Cyprus.
John’s First Letter continues with John insisting that we must show our faith by our actions: keeping God’s commandments and living the kind of life God wants. Providing we obey our conscience we can be sure we are doing right. But our conscience must be guided by God’s Spirit dwelling in us.
In John’s gospel Jesus gives his disciples detailed teaching at the last supper, just before his arrest. We must be bound closely to Christ: He is the vine, we are the branches, gaining sustenance and support from him.

Psalm Response: You, Lord, are my praise in the great assembly.

(Acts 9: 26-31 ; Ps 21(22) ; 1 John 3: 18-24 ; John 15: 1-8)

Scripture Readings

After healing the cripple in Jesus’ name and calling on the people to repent, Peter and John were put in prison overnight. Peter then repeats his preaching to the Jewish leaders. The leaders accept that “a notable miracle has been worked through them”, and cannot decide what to do. They simply order the Apostles not to speak in Jesus’ name again. The apostles reject this warning, but are released without being punished – at least this time.
John’s first letter insists that the love the Father has given us makes us his children now, anticipating already in some way what we shall be “when he appears”. John then contrasts the righteous who do not sin with those who commit sin and are “of the devil”. You are either for God or against him – there is nothing between.
In John’s gospel, after healing the man born blind, Jesus describes himself both as the door through which we can enter and be saved, and also as the good shepherd, whom the sheep know and follow. In contrast to the false shepherds criticised by Exekiel, the good shepherd cares for his sheep, even at the cost of his life. Jesus emphasises that he is in control of his life, causing division among the Jews.

Psalm Response: The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

(Acts 4: 8-12 ; 117(118); 1 John 3: 1-2 ; John 10: 11-18)

Scripture Readings

After Peter healed the man lame from birth, who had been begging at the Beautiful gate, the man joyfully walked with the Apostles in the Temple. At the portico of Solomon Peter addresses the crowds, emphasising that the man had been cured by the power of the God the Jews believed in, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God’s kingdom is already becoming visible.
Perhaps reflecting later antagonism between Jews and Christians, Peter goes on to say that it was “you”, “men of Israel” who insisted on killing Jesus, declared innocent by Pilate. But, Peter adds, they “acted in ignorance” so that God’s plan would be fulfilled. (Vatican II insisted that this was only some Jews, and it condemned antisemitism (NE4)).
Paul appointed presbyters to lead his young churches. Thirty years later, John’s community appears to have little structure. But there are problems: “many antichrists have come”, and some members have left the community, perhaps misled by the small amount of moral teaching in John’s Gospel. Paul’s hierarchical model survived, but tension between structure and charism continues.
How strange the resurrected Jesus appears! The two disciples had recognised Jesus after he had left them in the inn on the way to Emmaus, but now they are frightened, thinking him a ghost.

Psalm Response: Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.

Scripture Readings

During the six weeks of Easter the first readings are from the Book of Acts, in which Luke describes Jesus continuing his ministry through the Church after his earthly life ended. The weekday readings told how Pentecost transformed Peter into boldly proclaiming belief in the resurrection of Jesus. Not intimidated by his arrest, he continued to attract many Jews to follow Jesus. Today we hear how this growing community held their assets in common. The next verses give two examples: Barnabas who gave the proceeds from selling a field; and Ananias and his wife, who held back some of the proceeds and were struck dead by Peter in his Apostolic role as a Judge of Israel.
The second readings in Eastertide are from the first letter of John, whose gospel said little about Jesus’ humanity and his moral teachings. Some members of John’s community needed to be reminded that our faith is in a man, Jesus, who is Son of God, God’s Christ. Loving God is not about emotion: it means keeping his commandments.
The gospel reading is the beautiful first ending of John’s gospel, after Thomas, in the highest expression of faith in any of the gospels, acclaims Jesus as “My Lord and my God”.

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

Scripture Readings 29th March 2015, Palm Sunday, Year B

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 today’s ‘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 starts in this mood, but ends praising God.

The hymn in Philippians rejoices that – unlike Adam – Jesus did not seek to be equal to God. But God raised him high, so that all creation should “acclaim Jesus as Lord, to the glory of God the Father”.

Jesus died just before Passover, when Jews celebrated their freedom from slavery. The soldiers, the Jewish leaders, the inscription on the Cross, all ironically give Jesus his true title of ‘King of the Jews’, the Messiah, who frees us from death. When Jesus dies, the first human being in Mark’s gospel to recognise Jesus as “Son of God” is a Gentile, the centurion. All the disciples had run away when Jesus was arrested. Only some women watched, and they saw where he was buried.

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

(Is 50:4-7; Ps 21; Phil 2:6-11; Mark 14:1 – 15:47)

Scripture Readings

Jeremiah warned Israel against their idolatry and failure to respond to God’s love, breaking God’s covenant. At the time of the exile to Babylon Jeremiah proclaimed this great oracle of the “New Covenant”. This promised that God’s Law will be written on men’s hearts, giving them the power – or “grace” – to respond with love to God’s love. This new covenant will not be broken: it will last for ever.

The Letter to the Hebrews emphasises that Jesus is truly human, and lived his life showing this new covenant in practice. Jesus shared our humanity and our weaknesses and afflictions. So he sympathises patiently with us in our sinfulness and is well able, as a high priest, to intercede with God for us, and to offer sacrifice on our behalf. He prayed with such love and respect that God heard his prayer.

In the gospel of John some pagan Greeks ask their fellow Greek, Philip, to help them meet Jesus. The gospel message is now reaching out to Gentiles and this is taken by Jesus as the signal that his work is nearing its inevitable climax. Jesus’ life has shown the way to salvation, but the human Jesus is very troubled by anticipation of his coming suffering, also described by the other Gospels in the Garden of Gethsemene.

Psalm Response: A pure heart create for me, O God.

(Jer 31: 31-34; Psalm 50(51); Hebrews 5: 7-9; John 12: 20-33)

Scripture Readings

Today’s reading from Chronicles echoes the cleansing of the Temple by Jesus in last week’s gospel. The Temple was central to the Jewish religion, but under King Zedekiah it had been defiled, leading to the destruction of the Temple and Israel’s seventy year exile in Babylon. Then the Persian King Cyrus called for the people to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild the Temple on Mount Moriah, where Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac. After their return in 540 BC Ezra re-discovered the Jewish Law and the people renewed their covenant with God.

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians emphasises the unity of the world-wide Church, based firmly on God’s saving love, shown in Jesus Christ. We have been saved by grace, a gift from God. The phrase “in Christ Jesus” occurs frequently, reminding us of the ending of every Eucharistic Prayer. Christ will bring all things to perfection “in him” – and that includes us! “We are God’s work of art”.

In John’s gospel, after telling Nicodemus that he must be “born again” Jesus tells him that “God sent his Son into the world” so that “the world might be saved” through him. Jesus’ coming provokes judgement, both now and in the future. If our deeds are true we come into the light.

Psalm Response: O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not!

Scripture Readings

In last week’s reading from Genesis God promised to shower blessings on Abraham and his descendants. Today’s reading from Exodus spells out the people’s part of the covenant. The Law given to Moses on Sinai starts with the ten commandments, and is followed by 10 chapters of detailed laws about behaviour and ritual. Meanwhile, back at the foot of the mountain, the people became bored, and built a golden calf to worship! The psalm underlines the irony: God’s decrees “are more to be desired than gold”.

Paul began his letter to the Corinthians by telling them to stop squabbling among themselves. They should not divide into opposing groups, saying “I belong to Paul” or “I belong to Apollos”, and so on. They must follow the crucified Christ only. Christ has brought the Law of Moses to completion by his command to love one another. He demonstrated this love by dying on the Cross – “a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles”.

In John’s gospel Jesus cleanses the Temple at the beginning of his ministry, instead of towards the end, as in the other gospels. Jesus claims he will rebuild the Temple in three days, replacing it with himself and antagonising the Jewish leaders. From the start of John’s gospel Jesus’ death and resurrection are foreshadowed.

Psalm Response: You, Lord, have the message of eternal life.

(Exodus 20: 1-17; Psalm 18(19); 1 Cor 1: 22-25; John 2: 13-25)