current expectation of a supremely evil event before God could finally establish his rule of justice). Luke 20, 27 38 – Beliefs concerning life-after-death were as varied in Our Lord’s time as they are now. Observe how adroitly Jesus deals with an attempt to outwit him in public debate! THE SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE ADVENT Malachi 4, 1 - 2a The eternal struggle between Good and Evil and the conviction that God is on the side of the righteous - is a theme – common to most of the Old Testament prophets. 2 Thessalonians 3, 6 13 – A mistaken belief that Jesus would soon return to establish his final kingdom led some Christians to abandon work, becoming a burden to the rest of the community. Paul will have none of this! Luke 21, 5 19 – Facing the certainty of his own death, Jesus was acutely aware of the inevitable fate of Judaism at the hands of the Romans. As he foresaw, a Jewish revolt in AD 70 led to the total destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple. (Our Lord’s prediction of hatred and martyrdom rings true down twenty centuries.) THE Last SUNDAY BEFORE ADVENT - CHRIST THE KING Jeremiah 23, 1 6 – The statesman and prophet Jeremiah did not his words when he attacked political corruption, but he spoke code’. ‘in For read King, Court and Aristocracy. For read oppressed ordinary folk. As always there rings the ‘shepherds’ – ‘sheep’ – hope that God will raise up a just ruler. Colossians 1, 11 20 – Writing to converts who feel threatened by the mysterious powers of pagan gods and devils, Paul presents an overwhelming vision of Jesus the image of a saving Creator. – Luke 23, 33 43 – As we reflect on the theme of Christ as St. Luke reminds us that the Kingship of Jesus inverts human notions of ‘King’ – sovereignty.
current expectation of a supremely evil event before God could finally establish his rule of justice). Luke 20, 27 – 38 Beliefs concerning life-after-death were as varied in Our Lord’s time as they are now. Observe how adroitly Jesus deals with an attempt to outwit him in public debate! THE SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE ADVENT Malachi 4, 1 - 2a The eternal struggle between Good and Evil – and the conviction that God is on the side of the righteous - is a theme common to most of the Old Testament prophets. 2 Thessalonians 3, 6 – 13 A mistaken belief that Jesus would soon return to establish his final kingdom led some Christians to abandon work, becoming a burden to the rest of the community. Paul will have none of this! Luke 21, 5 – 19 Facing the certainty of his own death, Jesus was acutely aware of the inevitable fate of Judaism at the hands of the Romans. As he foresaw, a Jewish revolt in AD 70 led to the total destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple. (Our Lord’s prediction of hatred and martyrdom rings true down twenty centuries.) THE Last SUNDAY BEFORE ADVENT - CHRIST THE KING Jeremiah 23, 1 – 6 The statesman and prophet Jeremiah did not his words when he attacked political corruption, but he spoke ‘in code’. For ‘shepherds’ read – King, Court and Aristocracy. For ‘sheep’ read – oppressed ordinary folk. As always there rings the hope that God will raise up a just ruler. Colossians 1, 11 – 20 Writing to converts who feel threatened by the mysterious powers of pagan gods and devils, Paul presents an overwhelming vision of Jesus – the image of a saving Creator. Luke 23, 33 – 43 As we reflect on the theme of Christ as ‘King’ – St. Luke reminds us that the Kingship of Jesus inverts human notions of sovereignty.
intros-to-readings-year-c-0714-ED.docx