Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Jesus and the Spirit unlock the Old Testament (readings for June 12, 2019 annotated)

Key
What these scriptures tell us about God
What these scriptures tell us to do
Commentary
Hyperlinks to other translations
Brothers and sisters:
Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God, who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life.

Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, was so glorious that the children of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of its glory that was going to fade, how much more will the ministry of the Spirit be glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, the ministry of righteousness will abound much more in glory. Indeed, what was endowed with glory has come to have no glory in this respect because of the glory that surpasses it. For if what was going to fade was glorious, how much more will what endures be glorious.

This reading, together with today’s gospel, describes a glorious truth: Jesus and the Spirit unlock, make available, the full depth and life-giving power of the principles described/modeled throughout the Old Testament. They give us insights into and the ability to truly live according to those principles. These readings call to mind the dynamic Jesus spoke of in Matthew 13:51-52

Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 99:5, 6, 7, 8, 9
R.(see 9c) Holy is the Lord our God.
Extol the LORD, our God, and worship at his footstoolholy is he!
R. 
Holy is the Lord our God.
Moses and Aaron were among his priests, and Samuel, among those who called upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
R. 
Holy is the Lord our God.
From the pillar of cloud he spoke to them; they heard his decrees and the law he gave them.
R. 
Holy is the Lord our God.
O LORD, our God, you answered thema forgiving God you were to them,
though requiting their misdeeds.
R. 
Holy is the Lord our God.
Extol the LORD, our God, and worship at his holy mountainfor holy is the LORD, our God.
R. 
Holy is the Lord our God.

This psalm and today’s gospel explain/describe how we are to respond to Jesus’ and the Spirit’s wonderful gift, as discussed at the end of the first reading: we are to fully, enthusiastically, embrace God and His Word.

Alleluia   Psalm 25:4B, 5A
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Teach me your paths, my God, and guide me in your truth.
R. 
Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, 
whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven."

What these scriptures tell us about God
Such confidence we have through Christ toward God
the Spirit gives life.
how much more will the ministry of the Spirit be glorious
the glory that surpasses it
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill
Holy is the Lord our God.
holy is he!
Holy is the Lord our God.
he answered them.
he spoke to them
his decrees and the law he gave them.
Holy is the Lord our God.
you answered them;
a forgiving God you were to them,Holy is the Lord our God.
for holy is the LORD, our God.
Holy is the Lord our God.
your paths
your truth.
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law

What these scriptures tell us to do
Extol the LORD
worship at his footstool
Extol the LORD
 worship at his holy mountain
 whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven

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