JESUS CHRIST—SON AND LORD
>>>>St Boniface<<<<
Introduction
The author of 2 Timothy asks Timothy to learn from Paul how to bear persecution and difficulties. He assures Timothy that the persecutors will be punished. Then, he asks Timothy to hold on firmly to the faith and to the sacred writings that express it. The Scriptures are inspired by God and like a handbook for a life of faith.
Using a rabbinic form of argumentation, Jesus states that he is more than a descendant of David. No king would have addressed his son as Lord. The Saviour is more than a human being. Early Christianity understood this title of “Son” and “Lord” in the divine sense.
1 Reading: 2 Timothy 3:10-17
You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Responsorial Psalm: 119: 157, 160, 161, 165, 166, 168.
R. O Lord. Grave peace have they who love your law.
Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes. R.
All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal. R.
Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word. R.
Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. R.
I wait for your salvation, LORD, and I follow your commands. R.
I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you. R.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word is a lamp for my feet,
and a light on my path
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 12:35-37
While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” The large crowd listened to him with delight.
Commentary
The praise of the scriptures in today’s reading from Timothy underscores its centrality in the Christian life. It is honoured and respected as inspired by God. How inspiration takes place is widely discussed by scholars; opinions on the subject are numerous. But the fact remains that from earliest times certain compositions have been confirmed by the church as inspired, while numerous competitors have not. They include books that have been received from the Hebrew tradition as well as those written in the light of New Testament revelation.
These books are normative for the Christian life. We are not free to pick and choose, although we certainly have our favorites. We are told that the scriptures are useful for correction and refutation. Since they constitute the inspired norm of our faith life, deviations can lead to wrong judgment and error. But most important, the Bible is important for teaching, to make us equipped for teaching in holiness and for every good work.
For example, in the Gospel we see classic example of biblical teaching. The first and greatest commandment is the love of God and neighbour. With this as our guiding norm, we quickly realize that there is no commandment or precept that falls outside its domain. To be schooled in the scriptures is to be totally at one with God’s will.
In the past fifty years there has been a remarkable growth in our understanding of the Bible. Scripture formation is now part of the life of many parishes. We learn from the Bible’s towering figures and from the mistakes of some of its heroes. Above all, Christ stands as its center and heart. The scriptures are multifaceted, a rich source of inspiration..
Blessing
We believe in Jesus Christ, born of the virgin Mary and one of us, human, but more than a human person: the Son of God and our Saviour. May Almighty God confirm your faith and bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!