Scripture Readings 24th July 2016, 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Gen 18:20-32 Ps 137:1-8 Col 2:12-14 Lk 11:1-13

After promising Abraham a son next year, God hesitates before revealing his plans for Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham urges God to be just to the threatened towns, where his nephew Lot lives. Later Lot defends his angelic guests from the depraved demands of the men of Sodom, and escapes before Sodom is destroyed.
Paul urges the Colossians, whom he has never visited, to be confident in their understanding of “God’s mystery”, Christ. As Gentiles they were outside the Jewish Law, and therefore seen as sinners. But now they are “buried in Christ”, the Law is overridden, and they should follow only Christ. For Paul, transgressions are debts owed to God for failing to carry out our duties under our covenant with the creator. The list of our debts, like IOUs, is destroyed by being graphically nailed to the Cross.
Luke’s version of the Our Father is shorter and more abrupt than Matthew’s. Both versions are looking to the end days, especially “Do not put us to the test” ie the final judgement. “Daily bread” may refer to the Eucharist. Or it may mean “Give us tomorrow’s bread” – in the heavenly banquet, like the double portion of manna collected in the desert before the Sabbath. God promises to respond to all our requests, as he did to Abraham.

Psalm Response: On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord

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