Reflections on the readings of Sundays and feasts: March-May 2021
Today's gospel narrative is set at the beginning of Jesus' ministry and in the context of the Passover. We can interpret the second reading then, with its stirring proclamation of a crucified Christ, in the light of Jesus' actions and words in the temple scene of the gospel reading: h...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
[2021]
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| In: |
The Australasian Catholic record
Year: 2021, Volume: 98, Issue: 1, Pages: 96-114 |
| IxTheo Classification: | CB Christian life; spirituality HA Bible RC Liturgy |
| Summary: | Today's gospel narrative is set at the beginning of Jesus' ministry and in the context of the Passover. We can interpret the second reading then, with its stirring proclamation of a crucified Christ, in the light of Jesus' actions and words in the temple scene of the gospel reading: he is the new sanctuary of God. Neither the second nor gospel readings, however, bear any obvious relationship to the first reading, from the Old Testament. First, we might notice that "words" and "word" feature frequently in the Old Testament Scriptures. In today's Scriptures, we encounter them three times: at the beginning of the first reading (Exod 20:1); in the psalm response, which takes up Peter's response to Jesus in another place in the gospel (John 6:68); and in the disciples' response to Jesus towards the end of the gospel reading (John 2:22). We are also accustomed to hearing the scripture readings conclude, 'the word of the Lord', a common prophetic declaration, which points to what has just been heard, not the book from which it was read. In the Old Testament, sometimes, "words/word" signifies something said, and on other occasions, going further, signifies something done or to be done (Deut 4:9). When the 'word of God' is uttered and heard, it is powerful and effects what it declares (Isa 55:11). Likewise therefore we, in turn, are meant to make the 'word' achieve its purpose (Jas 1:22). |
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| ISSN: | 0727-3215 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: The Australasian Catholic record
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