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

Scripture Readings

In Genesis God sets a greater test of Abraham’s faith than might appear: Isaac seems now to be Abraham’s only son. His wife, Sarah, had persuaded Abraham to drive out into the desert his other son, Ishmael, with her mother, Hagar, the slave woman. God had promised Abraham would be father of a host of nations, with as many descendants as stars in the sky. How could this now come about? On the way Isaac had asked “Where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham answered: “God will provide himself”. Abraham’s faith is rewarded and God renews his covenant.

Paul urges the Romans to have similar trust in God. That God gave up his only Son to death shows how completely God loves us and gives anything he can to lead us to salvation. Paul goes on to insist that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

In our last reading from Mark’s gospel until the Ascension, the disciples appear confused by Jesus’ transfiguration. Although God has again confirmed Jesus as his Son, they do not understand how Jesus relates to Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets. After Jesus’ resurrection they would realise Jesus had come to fulfil the whole of Israel’s scriptures.

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

(Gen 22:1-2,9-18; Psalm 115(116):10.15-19; Rom 8:31-34; Mark 9: 2-10)

Scripture Readings

Genesis describes how, after the Great Flood, God established the first covenant with humanity, promising not to destroy all living creatures again.
Peter applies the Genesis story to Jesus. We should not “repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse” but repay with a blessing. If God wills that we suffer, then it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. God’s promise to Noah is fulfilled in Christ, who “in the body was put to death, in the spirit was raised to life”. Just as Noah was saved by water, so in baptism we suffer a fleshly death and rise into a new life in Christ, cleansing our consciences from sin.
In Mark’s gospel Jesus’ baptism is followed immediately by this very brief description of his temptation in the desert. Angels guided the Israelites during the Exodus. Now angels look after Jesus as he rejects Satan and remains obedient to God, ready to begin his human ministry.

Psalm Response: Your ways, Lord, are faithfulness and love for those who keep your covenant.

(Gen 9: 8-15; Psalm 24(25):4-9; 1 Peter 3: 18-22; Mark 1: 12-15)

Scripture Readings

Leviticus, the third book of the Pentateuch, describes rituals used by the Levite priests. Laws and rituals kept Israelites in the state of legal purity to which they were called as a sign of their union with the Lord. For skin disorders like leprosy detailed diagnostic inspections of body and clothing were required. A leper had to live apart in a disheveled state, warning people to keep away. A cleansing ritual is was specified for anyone cured.

Paul continues his theme of not placing obstacles which might hinder the spreading of the gospel. The Corinthians should eat whatever is put before them. They should not risk giving offence to their host, even if they suspect some food is ritually unclean by being offered to heathen gods before being sold in the market. But they should not eat food that they are told has been offered to idols – because that would offend their informant’s conscience.

Mark’s gospel continues with another healing, this time Jesus shows enormous tenderness in insisting that of course he wants to heal the leper. And he does so by touching the unclean leper – so becoming unclean himself. A supreme example of Jesus making very visible how much God wants to heal us.

Psalm Response: You are my refuge, O Lord; you fill me with the joy of salvation.

Scripture Readings 8th February 2015, 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

In this Wisdom Book the blameless Job laments his sufferings at great length. The Lord allowed Satan to afflict Job any way he chose except death. Job asks God why he allows his suffering, but refuses to curse God. Today’s reading describes the drudgery that many people see in their lives, with only death to look forward to. Job challenges God to say what he has done to deserve these sufferings, but recognises “how can mortal man be just before God?” God replies, showing how ignorant man is, and Job accepts that “I have dealt with great things that … I cannot know”. But Job’s challenge is not answered.

Our readings from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians have omitted a long argument that Christians should not behave in a way that might be a stumbling block to others. Today Paul gives an example: he does not claim justifiable payments for spreading the gospel in case people doubt his motives – and so doubt the gospel message.

In Mark’s gospel the demoniac was healed by word, now Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law by touch – well enough for her to get supper immediately. Jesus heals many more, but again the demons are not allowed to say who Jesus is – Jesus cannot be understood until the Cross reconciles mankind with God.

Psalm Response: Praise the Lord who heals the broken-hearted.

Scripture Readings

The final book of the five books of the Law – the Pentateuch, Deuteronomy seeks to bring up to date the earlier Law books, and so to persuade Israel that their only salvation is to obey God’s Law. Today’s reading promising that the Lord will raise up Prophets like Moses was seen by Jesus and his followers as pointing to Jesus himself as the supreme Prophet.
In last week’s reading Paul emphasised to the Corinthians that the world is passing away and they should stop arguing among themselves. They should consider carefully before giving themselves extra worries by more responsibilities. Hence the advice this week for unmarried people to remain in their present state so they can give all their time to the Lord’s affairs. But Paul goes on make it clear he is not against marriage.
After the calling of the first disciples, Mark’s Gospel continues with Jesus teaching in the synagogue. His teaching and healing authority is immediately recognised. But spirits recognise Jesus so he tells them to be quiet. Their words can have no meaning to human beings during his lifetime. Mark insists that we can only know Jesus through the Cross.

Psalm Response: O that today you would listen to his voice! “Harden not your hearts”.

Scripture Readings

In the short book of Jonah God sent a great fish to force Jonah back to the mission God had given him, to warn Nineveh that it was to be destroyed. Today we hear God’s second command, after the fish had spewed Jonah back on to dry land. But Jonah was very angry that God relented. He had run away to avoid drawing God’s mercy on the hated city. He thought only the Jews were worthy of God’s mercy.

In this long chapter responding to questions by the Corinthians about married life, Paul gives detailed advice – but against the background of expecting Jesus to return in glory virtually any minute There may also have been a famine when he was writing. They should not be alarmed by any current world crisis, even if normal activities are interrupted for a time. But one day the world will end. What will matter then is their faithfulness to the Lord, whatever their social circumstances.

Last week we heard from the Gospel of John about Jesus calling the first disciples. Today our year B readings from the Gospel of Mark resume for the next 6 weeks, continuing after Trinity Sunday. Mark describes Jesus beginning his ministry by first proclaiming the Good News, and then also calling the first disciples.

Psalm Response: Lord, make me know your ways.

(Jonah 3: 1-5, 10; Psalm 24(25): 4-9; 1 Cor 7: 29-31; Mark 1: 14-20)

Scripture Readings

The first Book of Samuel opens with Hannah, the devout barren wife of Elkanah, praying for a child in the temple at Shiloh. She promises that if she has a son she will give him to the Lord as a Nazirite. The priest Eli added his prayers.

Their prayers were answered, and Hannah gave Samuel up into Eli’s care in the temple. Hannah’s song of thanks is echoed by Mary’s Magnificat in Luke’s gospel, and Luke based the birth of John the Baptist on the miraculous birth of Samuel.

The Lord told Eli his dynasty would die, and the Lord himself would choose a faithful priest to succeed him. In our first reading Eli realises it is Samuel who is to succeed him as prophet to bring the word of the Lord to the people.

Paul devotes several parts of his letter to the Corinthians to sexual immorality, which some Corinthians did not see as sins, but Paul sees as sinning against your own body.

In John’s Gospel the Baptist prophetically points Jesus out to his disciples as the “Lamb of God”, so they follow him instead. Like the rest of Jesus’ disciples, they come to Jesus through the testimony of others, responding to the invitation to “Come and see”.

Psalm Response: Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

Scripture Readings

Isaiah 55:1-11; 1 John 5:1-9; Mark 1 : 7-11

Second Isaiah reminds the exiled Israelites God has not forgotten his everlasting covenant. They are invited to return to him, looking forward to the heavenly banquet in the end days. But they must “listen, and your soul will live”. In every Mass we are “called to the supper of the Lamb”. Isaiah urges: “seek the Lord while he may be found”: hidden and unimaginably different from us, yet he is “still near” and “rich in forgiving”.

John briefly summarises the basis of our faith, namely that the man Jesus is Son of God, God’s Christ. Both the water at his baptism, and the water and blood pouring from his side on the Cross, witness to Jesus’ humanity. Just as Baptism and the Eucharist witness to our faith, which demands that we love God as we love his son. Loving God is not about emotion: is an act of will, it means keeping his commandments.

Unlike the other three gospels Mark has no prologue: after quoting Isaiah he starts immediately with John the Baptist proclaiming the coming of the Lord. God was revealed to the Jews during the Exodus and in their return from exile. Now God reveals himself to the whole world through his Christ. Jesus is confirmed as God’s Son by the Father and by the Spirit.

Psalm Response: With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Scripture Readings

Third Isaiah was writing just after the Israelites had returned from exile in Babylon. Participation in the future messianic salvation is offered to all who believe in the Lord and keep his commandments. Isaiah visualises the new Jerusalem, illuminated by God, to which all peoples will stream and a time when their offerings will be acceptable. The church’s task is to bring the good news to the whole world.

The vision of the universal Church Paul describes in Ephesians matches Isaiah’s image of the new Jerusalem. Paul sees the Church, led by the Spirit, as Christ’s body, part of God’s plan for the whole of creation. And Paul joyfully realises that it was always part of God’s plan that the gospel message is to be taken to all: Gentiles as well as Jews are to share in the inheritance promised by God.

In Luke’s Gospel an angel announced Jesus’ birth to poor Jewish shepherds, excluded by their occupation from Temple worship. Today we hear Matthew’s description of Gentile scholars travelling from afar to bring kingly offerings to the new-born child. But they needed the Jewish scriptures to help find him. We too need the Old Testament to help us understand God’s plan and what he has done in Jesus for our salvation.

Psalm Response: All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.

Scripture Readings

The Book of Numbers continues the story of the Israelites during their exodus journey from Mount Sinai until they arrive outside the Promised Land before 1200 BC. Among the many laws for behaviour and ritual practices is this beautiful form of blessing given to Moses by the Lord. It is one of the oldest and finest pieces of ancient poetry. To “bless” means to pour out the power of life that produces growth, success, fertility and prosperity.
Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians as an angry and anguished appeal to them not to forsake the gospel he had taught them. Other preachers were trying to persuade them that, to be fully Christian, Gentiles had to become Jews and conform to the Jewish Law. No, says Paul. The Law was a temporary disciplinarian needed until humanity was mature enough to join God’s family. This is now possible through the faith of, and our faith in, God’s Son, who was born of a woman and so fully human.
In Luke’s Gospel the coming birth of Jesus was announced to Mary by the Angel Gabriel. Accepting what God wanted of her, and still a virgin when Jesus was born, she may still have been puzzling over this strange event. So she must have been much helped by the coming of these shepherds, who confirmed that her son was “Messiah and Lord”.

Psalm Response: O God, be gracious and bless us.