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

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)

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.