TENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Thursday

Year II

Readings

First Reading
1 Kgs 18:41–46

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 65:10, 11, 12–13

Gospel
Mt 5:20–26

Meditation on Today’s Readings

Taken from the Vatican II Sunday and Weekday Missal
Written by Celia Sirois

Jesus does not claim that his teaching is superior to Jewish tradition in the law and the prophets; rather, he calls his followers to a superior observance of that tradition. Their holiness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees. He explains what he means in a series of “antitheses,” or contrasts, all structured in the same way: “You have heard.... But I say to you....” In each case, Jesus’ interpretation of a given law cuts to its core, the better to expose its meaning and to express it in practical terms. In today’s reading, for example, he recognizes that anger and abuse often lie at the root of murder, and so he prohibits these behaviors as well. But Jesus’ teaching is more than prohibition; he underscores the overriding importance of reconciliation too.

Reconciliation characterizes the ministry of Elijah and Paul as well. Elijah’s whole life is spent calling Israel and its royal house, as in today’s selection, to return to the Lord their God. Paul works to remove the veil that keeps his people and all peoples from knowing “the glory of God on the face of [Jesus] Christ.”

The copyright for the Sunday Missal Introductions is:
Copyright (c) 2001, Daughters of St. Paul
The copyright for the Weekday Missal Introduction is:
Copyright (c) 2002, Daughters of St. Paul