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

Wisdom 7: 7-11; Psalm 89(90): 12-17; Hebrews 4: 12-13; Mark 10: 17-30

The last of the Old Testament books to be written, the Wisdom of Solomon was written to encourage Jews living in the rational Greek culture of Alexandria. Today’s reading is part of a speech ascribed to Solomon, describing what Wisdom is, and why we should seek her. Solomon prayed and was given wisdom which he sees as “a breath of the power of God”, “a reflection of eternal light”, “an image of God’s goodness”. And so to be desired above all riches.

The Psalm, attributed to Moses, compares God’s awesome eternity to the shortness of Moses’ and our lives, asking God for wisdom, so that our work be firmly based. Filling our short lives with God’s love is all we need to be full of joy.

The Letter to the Hebrews has insisted Jesus, a man like other men, is capable of leading into God’s rest those who hear and obey “the living Word of God”, which, like a sword, can unfailingly “judge secret emotions and thoughts”.

Jesus continues to teach on his way to Jerusalem: the rich man appears to have heard the good news, but does not have the wisdom to let go of his riches. How hard it is to do so! We cannot practise this wisdom without God’s help.

Psalm Response: Fill us with your love so that we may rejoice.
(Wisdom 7: 7-11; Psalm 89(90): 12-17; Hebrews 4: 12-13; Mark 10: 17-30)

Wisdom 2:12,17-20; ; Psalm 53(54); ; James 3:16 – 4:3; Mark 9: 30-37

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 wicked are blinded by their thoughts: “haphazard were we born”, they thought, and we leave no trace when we die, “because no-one returns.” So “let us enjoy the good things that exist” and “oppress the righteous”, simply because “he annoys us”. But Wisdom responds: “God formed man to be imperishable; in the image of his own nature”.

The Psalm implores God’s help against our enemies, confident that he will help. Prayed by David when his hiding place was betrayed to Saul.
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)

Chris

Deut 4: 1-2, 6-8; Psalm 14(15): 2-5; James 1: 1-27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

fter the testamentary speech from Joshua last week, this week we have the beginning of Moses’ last testament, following God’s refusal to allow Moses to cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy Moses sums up the Law, but with some relaxations from the strict Law given by God on Sinai. As God’s representative, Moses allowed divorce and hating enemies. But God’s justice cannot change, and Jesus will later reverse these changes, made “because of their hardness of heart”. Observing God’s Law “will demonstrate to the peoples” their wisdom and understanding.

The Psalm summarises the moral qualities required to be “at one” with the Lord, especially the social virtues of justice and charity.

James also insists “do what the word tells you”, especially helping the vulnerable and avoiding contamination by the world. We must be “quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger”. More practical advice from James in the coming weeks.

Jesus gives the same message: his disciples should do what the Pharisees say, but not what they do. As Peter is to learn later before preaching to Cornelius, “nothing that goes into a man from outside can make him unclean”. It is what we do that can make us unclean, not lack of washing. This teaching is underlined immediately by the faith of the Syro-Phoenician woman.

Psalm Response: The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

(Deut 4: 1-2, 6-8; Psalm 14(15): 2-5; James 1: 1-27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23)

|Wisdom 1: 13-15, 2:23-24; Psalm 29(30); 2 Cor 89: 7-15; Mark: 5: 21-43

The Book of Wisdom, written in the century before Christ, starts by exhorting us to “love righteousness … and seek the Lord with sincerity of heart”. God made man in his own image: not immortal, for only God is immortal, but God made man “imperishable”. Death is not the end.

The Psalm gives thanks for deliverance from death: prayers during sickness were answered by God, triumphing over death.

The reading from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians might have been written today: we should share the earth’s resources with other peoples currently in need. We may need help some time! Paul was collecting financial aid for the Church in Jerusalem, since many towns in the rest of the empire had greater resources. Paul’s approach is supremely practical: he praises the Corinthians and then challenges them to give generously. But they should always keep a balance, not beggar themselves.

We resume our Sunday readings from Mark’s gospel. During his journey to heal Jairus’ daughter, Jesus is interrupted by a woman seeking a cure for her continuous haemorrhage. Jesus tells her her faith has restored her to health. As with the child raised from the dead, God’s kingdom breaks through, to help us understand what God has planned for us in his new creation.

Psalm Response: I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.

(Wisdom 1: 13-15, 2:23-24; Psalm 29(30); 2 Cor 89: 7-15; Mark: 5: 21-43)

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

After rescuing the Israelites from Egypt God gave Moses the Law, including the Ten Commandments. The animal’s blood thrown over people and altar symbolises the people’s agreement to this covenant.

The Psalm gives thanks to God for answering prayers in time of need. And renews our promise to keep God’s laws.
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 “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. But Jesus postpones drinking the fourth, final cup of the meal until just before dying on the Cross. Jesus commanded us to repeat the Eucharistic meal “until he comes”.

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

Deut 4: 32-34, 39-40; Psalm 32(33); Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28: 16-20

Deuteronomy, the second book of the Law, consolidated Israel’s beliefs and rituals. A long introductory teaching by Moses emphasises the requirement for Israel to keep the Law, as its part in their covenant with God. In today’s reading Moses emphasises the uniqueness of God, who has made himself known to Israel, speaking out of a fire, and who has made a covenant with them: He will be their God and they are to be his people. Moses then repeats the ten commandments, given by God.

The Psalm picks up God’s omnipotence, who created even the heavens and the stars. We can rely confidently on His promises.

God’s revelation in Christ fulfilled this covenant relationship: Paul tells the Romans that if we are in the Spirit we are not in the flesh. We are no longer dominated by our human tendency to turn from God. We are now God’s children, sharing in Christ’s inheritance, in his suffering and in his glory.

There only two resurrection appearances in Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus appeared very briefly to two Marys. Then the Gospel ends with Jesus commissioning the eleven disciples to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. And He promises to be with his people always.

Psalm Response: Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.

(Deut 4: 32-34, 39-40; Psalm 32(33); Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28: 16-20)

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 only God knows. 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 empty tomb appear again, promising Jesus will return. But we are not to know when.

The Psalm calls on all nations to acknowledge the God of Israel as the only true God. He is King and reigns over all the earth.

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians gives a broad, developed understanding of Jesus and the Church. Christians should seek unity in the one Lord, making good use of the various gifts given us by Christ.

In the second ending of Mark’s gospel, Jesus appeared after his resurrection to Mary Magdalen, and then to two disciples walking in the country. All three told the Apostles – who did not believe them. Jesus then rebuked the apostles, before commissioning them as his witnesses. He was then taken up into heaven.

Psalm Response: God goes up with shouts of joy, the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
(Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 46(47); Eph 4:1-13; Mark 16:15-20)

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

Much has happened in Acts since last Sunday’s reading: Peter and some apostles have been imprisoned and beaten before being set free again. Seven Greeks were appointed to look after the Hellenists – apparently Greek-speaking Christians. 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 Temple worship. They were driven out to Judea and Samaria – and so the Gospel began to spread.

Today we hear how Paul returns from his conversion near Damascus. He is accepted by the Hebrew Christians, but not by the Hellenists, so has to be hustled out of town.

The ending of this Messianic Psalm, uttered by Our Lord on the Cross, rejoices in the triumph of God’s justice: God’s promises to Israel are fulfilled in Jesus.

In his first Letter John insists that we must show our faith by our actions: keeping God’s commandments. We can be sure we are doing right if we obey our conscience 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)

Chris

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

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 cannot deny “a notable miracle has been worked”. Undecided, they order the Apostles not to speak in Jesus’ name again, and release them without punishing them – at least this time.

The Psalm is from the Passover Psalm heard on Easter Sunday, thanking and praising God for repeatedly saving us.

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 goes on to contrast the righteous who do not sin with those who commit sin. 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 Ezekiel, 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 ; Ps 117(118); 1 John 3: 1-2 ; John 10: 11-18)

Acts 3: 13-15, 17-19 ; Psalm 4; 1 John 2: 1-5; Luke 24: 35-48

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 some Jews and Christians, Peter adds that it was “you”, “men of Israel” who insisted on killing Jesus, declared innocent by Pilate. But, Peter says, they “acted in ignorance” so that God’s plan would be fulfilled.

The Psalm begs God’s aid and admonishes incredulous observers to put their trust in God.

Paul appointed presbyters to lead his young churches. Thirty years later, John’s community appears to have almost no 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.