God’s Law Above All

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 821 total views Deut 6:2-6 The passage serves as a closing exhortation from Moses. It highlights two forms of positive law: “statutes” (huqim) which establish penalties, and “commandments” (mitsot) which simply state commands (v2f). Law observance reflects the covenant between Yahweh and the Israelites, with blessings like long life and prosperity assured in return. The Shema

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 1,164 total views 30th Sunday B Jer 31:7-9 In one of Jeremiah’s most celebrated chapters, the prophet speaks about the return of the exiles from the northern kingdom, who had been deported by the Assyrians after their victory in 721 B.C. Those who lived through the devastation are now making their return. They are referred to

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 1,162 total views 29th Sunday (B) Is 53:10-11 This passage comes near the end of the fourth and last song of the servant of the Lord in Deutero-Isaiah. The servant’s sufferings, which have become more intense, eventually lead to his death (53:3, 5, 😎. But the chorus of onlookers realizes that he was innocent, and his

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 1,819 total views Wis 7:7-11 Today’s reading recalls that event in Solomon’s life (v7) when he asked early in his reign as king for the gift of wisdom so that he might be an understanding and discerning judge for his people (1 Kgs 3:5-15). It was a gift to be preferred over all others and is

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 2,128 total views 27th Sunday (B) Gen 2:18-24 The passage describes Yahweh’s plan to create a partner for man (Adam). He created animals, which Adam named to show their subordination to him. However, none of them was a suitable partner. So, God put Adam into a deep sleep, took one of his ribs, and created a

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 2,498 total views 26th Sunday B Num 11:25-29 The reading contains an incident from the time of the Israelites’ desert sojourn. The story of Eldad and Medad is concerned with the sharing of Moses’ charismatic spirit among the people at the time. Earlier in the chapter, Moses had complained to Yahweh about his inability to provide

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 3,143 total views 24th Sunday B Is 50:4 – 9 This is the third of the four so-called Servant Songs in Deutero-Isaiah (42:1-7; 49:1-7; 50:4-9; 52:13-53:12). The servant’s identity, as originally intended, has both collective (Israel) and individual features. He is perhaps best described as a prophetic figure who suffers on behalf of others; he is

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 3,424 total views Isaiah 35:4-7 This reading follows the announcement of judgment on the nations (ch 34) and a song celebrating the joy of the redeemed people of Israel by Yahweh (ch 35). The deliverance of Yahweh vanquishes evil. In Hebrew thought, evil is disguised in various forms: physical illness, handicaps, burned and scorched land without

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 4,124 total views 21st Sunday B Jos 24:1-2, 15-17, 18 This passage is from the conclusion of the book of Joshua (c. 24). After settling in the land of promise, Joshua gathers the Israelites at Shechem. The people are given the choice to renew the commitment made at Sinai (Ex 19-24), with Joshua clearly stating his

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 4,969 total views 20th Sunday (B) Proverbs 9:1-6 In this chapter of Proverbs, two women are central figures: Wisdom and Folly. Lady Wisdom leads her followers to a fulfilling life, while Folly leads to death. Today’s reading focuses on Lady Wisdom. True wisdom, which encompasses the entire book, is understanding God’s law. Following God’s law leads

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 4,950 total views 1 Kg 19:4-8 This story about Elijah takes place after Elijah’s life has been threatened by Jezebel (v2). The prophet flees for his life to Beer-sheba, south of Judah, and then on to the desert (vv3f). His state of depression leads to a death wish (v4). This is indicative of his lack of

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 5,676 total views 18th Sunday (B) Ex 16:2-4, 12-15 The people started grumbling by contrasting the life they had under Pharaoh against the life in the desert with Yahweh (v3), to which Yahweh readily responded to their complaint. He promised to “rain down bread from heaven”, a divine gift, poetically described as a rainfall of bread

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 5,870 total views 17th Sunday (B) 2 Kgs 4:42-44 This episode comes from tradition about Elisha (2 Kgs 2-13). Like Elijah, he is also called the “man of God” (v42), through whom the power of God to give life is communicated (cf 4:8-37, where a couple was gifted with a son and even restored his life

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 6,054 total views 16th Sunday B Jeremiah 23:1-6 Prophet Jeremiah attributes the troubles faced by Israel (defeat and deportation) to a lack of leadership, corruption, and neglect by their kings (Ch 22). The kings, acting as shepherds in the name of God, have failed in tending to the flock. In biblical thought, the king was considered

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 5,727 total views 15th Sunday B Amos 7:12-15 Amos was a native of Judah, whose work had been that of a shepherd and caretaker of trees. He is not a prophet by trade but Yahweh had missioned him to Israel, the northern kingdom, (vv 14-15). Because of his prophecy about the demise of the king and