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

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.

Scripture Readings

God responds to Abram’s concern at his lack of heirs by promising him countless descendants. Then God covenants with Abram, promising land for the multitude of nations he will father. Even before male circumcision became the sign of this covenant, Abram was held righteous because he trusted in the Lord’s promise. Such was his faith that he travelled to a new land, and was even prepared to obey the Lord’s command to sacrifice his promised son. Sarah named their son Isaac, meaning “he who laughed”: Sarah had laughed at God’s promise that she would bear a son – now she perhaps feels the laugh is on her, caring for a new-born child in her nineties.

Hebrews describes more people of tremendous faith in God, even though they did not have the example of Jesus, whose faith in his Father enabled him to endure the cross. This example encourages perseverance in our faith, confident in God’s promises, and willingly enduring our less demanding trials.

Luke’s mixture of the rites of purification and dedication of the first-born male links Jesus’ birth to God’s promises: the promised redeemer has come, and Abraham’s descendants in faith will indeed be as numerous as the stars. But God is always faithful to his promises and, in his justice, innermost thoughts will be revealed.

Psalm Response: He, the Lord, is our God. He remembers his covenant for ever.

Scripture Readings

Around 720 BC Judah was threatened by many enemies. Isaiah advised the kings to stand firm, because the Lord would give a sign: “the maiden shall be with child”. The birth of a helpless baby gives hope for the future. But this future must be founded on justice and integrity. Early Christians adopted these words as a marvellous way to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Written over 60 years after Jesus’ birth, Paul’s summarises the gospel to Titus: a compassionate God chose to offer us the free gift of being “at one” with him. But God’s revelation of salvation in Christ demands we transform our lives and “give up everything that does not lead to God”. The reading from Hebrews tells us that God has spoken to us through his son, who is “the perfect copy of his nature”.

Luke places the birth of the Christ firmly in time and space. Jesus was a man born miraculously to a virgin in Bethlehem in Judea. The peace and quiet of the undercroft, where animals gave warmth, must have been a welcome relief for Mary, after the noise and bustle of the inn. The simplicity of Jesus’ birth is important: God comes as a vulnerable baby to draw us into a relationship with him. The royal birth announcement was sent not to royalty, but to poor shepherds, outcasts excluded from Temple worship by their occupation. Joseph, of the house of David, named Jesus as his son. Jesus lived in history, growing up in Nazareth in Galilee.

By the time John’s gospel was written, Christians had come to realise that Jesus had existed as the Word of God before time began. So John’s prologue seeks to describe the complexity of the creator becoming part of his own creation.

Psalm Response: Today a saviour has been born to us; he is Christ the Lord.

Scripture Readings

After seven years as King of Judah, David was anointed King of all the tribes of Israel. He then captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites, making it the capital of Israel. Then he increased his power by bringing into Jerusalem the Ark of the Covenant, in which the Lord dwelt. But in our first reading the Lord tells David not to build a house for the Ark, because the Lord will himself build a house – ie a dynasty – founded on David. This covenant is repeated in today’s Psalm.
Two verses summarise Paul’s letter to the Romans. The Good News is that Jesus Christ is the revelation of God’s plan that all humanity is to be brought into community with God through faith. Observing the rules of the Jewish Law is not enough: we are justified and saved by Jesus’ faith in his Father and by our faith in Jesus Christ.
Luke gives us the supreme example of faith: Mary agrees to God’s invitation to be the mother of God’s Son – the greatest ‘Yes’ in history! Even though she does not know what the future might bring – except possibly death by stoning as an unmarried mother. By her faith and trust in God she becomes the first disciple. And God’s promise to David is fulfilled.

Psalm Response: I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

Scripture Readings

In words used by Jesus to announce that the Messianic era has come, third Isaiah confidently rejoices that Zion will be restored after the return from exile. It will be the focal point for all peoples, where God will dwell in his renewed creation at the end of time. Everyone will behave with justice. It will be total salvation for God’s people – bodily and spiritually, individually and socially.

Also emphasising the wholeness of each person’s salvation, Paul ends his letter to the Thessalonians with simple rules of behaviour which enable the new Christian way of living to become automatic: show respect to others, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all. Rejoice and give thanks always, for “God has called you”: he is faithful, it is he who makes you “perfect and holy”.

Last week Mark briefly described the Baptist’s announcement of Christ’s coming. Today John gives us more detail, immediately after the gospel’s prologue. The Baptist’s answers to his questioners become shorter and shorter, until they ask an open question, to which he replies more fully. John’s is the only gospel which sees Jesus as existing before creation. The Baptist testifies that Jesus’ identity has been confirmed by God. Baptism appears to be well-known, though Jesus’ disciples only started baptising after he had risen.

Psalm Response: My soul rejoices in my God.

Scripture Readings

Second Isaiah celebrates with fulsome praise their God who has enabled the Israelites to return from exile in Babylon. God has cleared the way for their return, just as He led his people during the Exodus from Egypt. Then God was visible in a small area as a pillar of cloud or fire. Now God’s work should be shouted throughout the whole world.
The second letter of Peter, written probably towards the end of the first century, addressed doubts about when Christ would return in majesty. God patiently guides mankind to the promised land of his kingdom, giving everyone plenty of time to turn to him. But the Day of the Lord will come, and it will come to all creation, and when we least expect it.
In each gospel a prologue suggests who Jesus is. Luke and Matthew identify Jesus as Son of God at his conception, while for John, writing much later, Jesus was God before creation. Mark’s gospel, the earliest, says only that the coming of Jesus was proclaimed by Isaiah and the Baptist. God was revealed to the Jews during the Exodus and in their return from exile. Now God is being revealed to the whole world through his Christ, Jesus, confirmed at his baptism as his son.

Scripture Readings

(Isa 63:16-17; 64:3-8; Ps 79:2-3,15-16,18-19; 1 Cor 1:3-9; Mark 13:33-37)

The reading from third Isaiah is part of a prayer written around the end of Israel’s exile. Their leaders have been arguing instead of rebuilding the Temple. The prophet recalls God’s blessings on Israel in the past, and desperately begs the Lord to come once more in his mercy to the aid of his people, who all now humbly confess their sinfulness. God is our Father, and we are clay, to be formed by his hand.

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians is also prompted by internal rivalries. He can’t stop talking about Jesus. God has now come, giving “all the graces” “through Jesus Christ”, and joining us to his Son.

Since Vatican II we are blessed by reading all through each gospel in turn. Listening to what each evangelist actually says helps us to sense how each different Christian community gradually developed their understanding of Christ. This Advent we start the year of Mark, whose gospel is the earliest and shortest. It is the gospel in which no human being recognises or understands Jesus before his death, as noone can without seeing his Cross and Resurrection. Reading Mark’s gospel in sequence starts after the end of Christmastide. Today we have Mark’s version of “Stay awake!”, immediately before Jesus’ passion begins.

Psalm Response: God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

Readings

The Book of Proverbs united ancient values and ideals with Israel’s understanding of God. Written at the time of the exile, about 500 BC, it was intended for serious study in the effort to gain wisdom. Today’s reading is more than a song praising both the housekeeping and commercial activities of a good wife – it is Wisdom in action. And it recognises that a wife should share in the benefits of her work.
Paul’s wrote to the Thessalonians from Corinth about 51 AD after Timothy had brought news of the developing Thessalonian church. The “Day of the Lord” will come. Roman – and our – peace can be shattered at any time. We are now “children of the light and of the day”, aroused the Holy Spirit. We must slough off the confusing darkness of the world. We must learn wisdom and live every day in justice and integrity, as if it will be our last.
Matthew’s parable of the talents almost ends Jesus’ teaching before his passion begins. Again we are urged to live wisely and justly while dutifully preparing for the day of judgement, which will certainly come. We must use for God’s purposes the resources we have been given. But we must also work at developing our faith, otherwise we may lose it. Effort is needed, as with learning wisdom.

Psalm Response: O blessed are those who fear the Lord.