Homily
for the Second Sunday of Easter (Cycle A)
Based
on Jn 20:19-31(Gospel),
Ac 4:32-37(First
Reading) and 1 P 1:3-9(Second Reading)
From
the Series: “Reflections and Teachings of the Desert”
SEE THE LORD
The Gospel narrative for this 2nd
Sunday of Easter (Cycle A) is from Jn 20:19-31 under the title “Appearance
to the disciples”, with the following parallel texts:
1. Mk
16:14-18 - Appearance of the Risen
Christ c: Lastly, he showed himself to the Eleven themselves while
they were at table. He reproached them for their incredulity and obstinacy,
because they had refused to believe those who had seen him after he has risen
(v. 14). And he said to them, ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good
News to all creation (v. 15). He who believes and is baptized will be saved; he
who does not believe will be condemned (v. 16).
These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name
they will cast out devils, they will have the gift of tongues;d (v.
17) they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink
deadly poison, they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover’ (v.
18).Footnote c says “The ‘long ending’ of Mark, vv. 9-20, is
included in the canonically accepted body of inspired scripture.”; Footnoted
says “Var. ‘new tongues’.”
2.
Lk 24:36-39 - They were still talking about all
this when he himself stood them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you!’ (v. 36).
In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost (v. 37).
But he said, ‘Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts rising in your
hearts (v. 38)? Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed. Touch me and
see for yourselves, a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have.’
3.
Jn 21:14 - This was the third time that Jesus
showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.
Verse 19 says:
In the evening of the same day, the first day of the week, the doors were
closed in the room where the disciples were,i for fear of the Jews.
Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them. ‘Peace be with you’… FootnoteI
says “Add. ‘assembled’.”
Parallel texts are:
1.
Jn 16:16 - In a short time you will no longer
see me, and then a short time later you will see me again.
2. Jn
14:27 - Peaces I bequeath to
you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to
you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. Footnotes says “The
customary Jewish greeting and farewell, cf. Lk. 10:5p; it means soundness of
body but came to be used of the perfect
happiness and the deliverance which the Messiah would bring. All this Jesus
gives.”
Verse 20 says: And showed them his hands and his side. The disciples
were filled with joy when they saw the Lord.
Parallel texts are:
1. Lk
24:16 - But something prevented them
from recognizing himd. Footnote d says“In the apparitions described by Lk and Jn,
the disciples do not at first recognize the Lord: they need a word or a sign,
Lk. 24:30f, 35,37,39-43; Jn 20:14 and 16,20; 21:4 and 6-7; cf. Mt. 28:17. This
is because the risen body, though the same body that died on the cross, is in a
new condition; its outward appearance is therefore changed, Mk. 16:12, and it
is exempt from the usual physical laws, Jn 20:19. On the condition of glorified
bodies, cf. 1 Co. 15:44+. “
2. 1
Jn 1:1 - Something which had existed since the beginning, that we have heard,
and we have seen with our own eyes; that we have watched and touched with our
hands: the Word, who is life - this is our subject.
3. Jn
15:11 - I have told you this so that my own joye may be with you and
your joy be complete. Footnote e
says “The perfect happiness of the
messianic era which is communicated by the son of God.”
4.
Jn 16:22 - So it is with you: you are sad now,
but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy, and that joy no
one shall take from you.
Verse 21 says: And he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the
Father sent me, so am I sending you…
Parallel texts are:
1. Jn
4:38 - I sent you to reap a harvest you
have not worked for. Others worked for it; and you have come into the rewards
of your trouble.’lFootnote l says “The reapers are the apostles, the sowers
those who have labored before them,
especially Jesus.”
2.
Jn 17:18 - As you sent me into the world, I have
sent them into the world.
3. Mt
28:19 - Go, therefore, make disciples of
all the nations, baptize them in the name of the father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit,g and teach them to observe all the commands I gave
you. Footnote g says “It
may be that this formula, so far as the fullness of its expression is
concerned, is a reflection of the liturgical usage established later in the
primitive community. It will be remembered that Ac speaks of baptizing ‘in the name of Jesus’, cf. Ac. 1:5+. But whatever variation is
formula, the underlying reality is the same”
4.
Mk 16:15 - And he said to them, ‘Go out to the
whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation…
5.
Lk 24:47 - And that, in his name, repentance for
the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from
Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this.
Verse 22 says: After saying this
he breathedj on them and said: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. Footnote j
says“The breath of Jesus is the symbol of the Spirit (‘breath’, in Hebrew);
he send forth the Spirit who will make all things new, Gen. 1:2; 2:7; Ezk.
37:9; Ws 15:11; See Jn 19:30+ and Mt. 3:16+.”
Parallel texts are:
1. Jn
1:33 - I did not know him myself, but he
who sent me to baptize with water had said to me,“The man on whom you see the
Spirit come down and rest in the one who is going to baptize with the Holy
Spirit”.yFootnotey says“This phrase sums up the whole purpose of the Messiah’s coming, cf. Jn
1:1+, namely, that mankind might be born again in the spirit: the O.T. had
already foretold it,cf. Ac. 2:33+. The Spirit rests on him, Is. 11:12, 42:1, Jn
1:33, and so he can confer it on others baptism on the Spirit, cf. here and Ac
1:5+), but only after his resurrection, Jn 7:39,16:7,8; 20:22; Ac.2. For Jesus
came in the flesh, 1 Jn. 4:2, 2 Jn 7, flesh that was corruptible, Jn 1:14+, and
it is only when he is ‘lifted up; and has gone to the Father that his body,
glorified now, is fully endowed with divine, life-giving power. Thenceforward
the Spirit flows to the world from his body as from an inexhaustible spring, Jn
7:37-39, 19:34, cf. Rm. 5:5+. For the water symbolism, cf. Jn 4:1+.”
2. Ac
1:8 - But you will receive power when
the Holy Spirit comes on you.iand then you will be my witnessesj
not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends
of the earth’.kFootnotei says“The Holy Spirit is a favorite theme of Luke (Lk 4:1+); he talks mostly
about the Holy Spirit as a Power, Lk 1:35; 24:49;Ac 1:8;10:38; Rm 15:13,19; 1
Co 2:4,5; 1 Th 1:5; Heb 2:4, sent from
God by Christ, Ac 2:38, to broadcast the Good News. 1. The Spirit gives the
charismata, 1 Co 12:4f, that guarantee the message; the gift of tongues, Ac
2:4+, of miracles, 10:38, of prophecy, 11:27+; 20:23; 21:11, of wisdom,
6:3,5,10:2, the Spirit fives strength to proclaim Jesus as Messiah in spite of
persecution 4:8,31; 5:32; 6:10;cf. Ph 1;19 and to bear witness to him, Mt.
10;20p; Jn 15:26; Ac 1:8; 2 Tm 1:7f,cf. following note; 3. The Spirit guides
the Church in her major decisions: the
admission of pagans, Ac 8:29,40; 10:19,44-47; 11;12-16; 15:8, without
obligation to observe the Law, 15:28;
Paul’s mission to the pagan worlds, 13:2f; 16:6-7; 19:1 (Western Text) cf. Mt.
3:16+,Ac also mentions the Spirit as
received in baptism and forgiving sins, 2:38, cf. Rm 5:5+.”; Footnote j
says“The primary functions of the
apostles is to bear witness: not only to Christ’s resurrection, Lk. 24:48, Ac
2:32, 3:15, 4:33, 3:32, 24:48,13;31, 22:15, but also to the whole of is public
life, Lk 1:21, Jn 15:27, Ac. 1:22, 10:39f.”; and Footnote k
says“nothing can limit the apostolic
mission.”
3. Ac
2:2 - Men of Israel, listen to what I am
going to say;nJesus of Nazareth was a man commended to you by God by
the miracles and portents and signs that God worked through him when he was
among you, as you all know. Footnote n says“The content of the earliest apostolic preaching (the ‘kerygma’) is here
summarized for the first time; cf. the five discourses of Peter, Ac. 2:14-39,
3:12-26; 4:8-12, 5:29-32, 10:34-43, and the discourse of Paul. 13:16-41. The
kerygma is 1. a witness, 1:8+, to Christ’s death and resurrection, 2:24+, and
to his exaltation, 2:33+; 2:36+, 2. It also provides certain details of
Christ’s ministry; how it was heralded by John the Baptist, 10:37, 13:24,
inaugurated by teaching and miracle, 2:22, 10:38, completed by the appearances
of the risen Christ, 10:40,41, 13:31, and by the gift of the Spirit, 2:33,
5:32. 3. It places this story in its wider setting: it appeals to the past,
adducing the OT prophecies, 2:23+; 2:35+, and it surveys the future, the advent
of the messianic era, inviting Jews and pagans to repentance, 2:38+, so that
Christ’s glorious return may come the sooner, 3:20-21. The gospels, which are
development of the primitive preaching, adopt the same theme.”
Verse 23 says: for those whose sins you retain, they are retained
Parallel texts are:
1. Mt.
16:19 - I will give you the keys of the
kingdom of heaven, whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in
heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.i Footnote
i says “The City of God, like
the City of Death, has its gates too; they grant entrance only to those who are
worthy of it. Peter has the keys. It is his function, therefore, to open or
close to all who would come to the kingdom of heaven through the Church. ‘bind’
and ‘loose’ are technical rabbinic terms; primarily they have a disciplinary
reference; one is ‘bound’ (condemned to) or ‘loosed’ (absolved from)
excommunication. Their secondary usage is connected with doctrinal or juridical
decisions: an opinion is ‘bound’ (forbidden) or ‘loosed’ {allowed). Of the
household of God Peter is controller (the keys symbolize this, cf. Is. 22:22).
In that capacity, he is to exercise the disciplinary power of admitting or
excluding those he thinks fit; he will also, in the administration of the
community, make necessary decision in questions of doctrinal belief and of
moral conduct. The verdicts he deliver or the pronouncements he makes will be
ratified by God in heaven. Catholic exegetes maintain that these enduring
promises hold good not only for Peter himself but also for Peter’s successors.
This inference, not explicitly drawn in the text, is considered legitimate
because Jesus plainly intends to provide for his Church’s future by establishing
a regime that will not collapse after Peter’s death. Two other texts, Lk.
22:31f and Jn. 21:15f, on Peter’s primacy emphasize that its operation is to be
in the domain of faith; they also indicate that this makes him head not only of
the Church after the death of Christ but of the apostolic group then and there.”
2. Mt.
18:18 - I tell you solemnly, whatever
you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven: whatever you loose on
earth shall be loosed in heaven.j Footnote j says “One
of the powers conferred on Peter is here conferred on the Church’s ministers,
to whom this discourse is primarily addressed.”
Verse 24 says: Thomas, called the Twin, who was one
of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came…
Parallel texts are:
1. Jn
11:16 - Then Tomas - known as the Twin- said to the other disciples, ‘Let us go
too, and die with him’.
2. Jn
14:5 - Thomas said, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going, how can we know
the way?’
Verse 25 says: When
thek disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I
see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the
holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to
believe’. Footnotek says “Add.
‘other’.”
Parallel texts are:
1.
Lk 24:9-10 - When the women returned from the
tomb they told all this to the Eleven and to all the others. The women were
Mary of Magdala, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with
them also told the apostles.
2.
1 Jn 1:1 - Something which had existed since the
beginning, that we have heard, and we have seen with our own eyes; that we have
watched and touched with our hands: the Word, who is life-this is our subject.
Verse 26 says: Eight days later the disciples were
in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus
came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’, he said.
Parallel textis Jn 21:14 that says:This was the third time that Jesus
showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.
Verses 27 and 28 say: Then
he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me
your hand; put it into my side.l Doubt no longer but believe.’
Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’Footnotel says “In
the closing words of his gospel, John again calls the Christian reader’s
attention to the wound in Christ’s side, cf. 19:34+.”
Parallel texts for verse 27 are:
1.
Jn 14:27 - Peaces I bequeath to you,
my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
Footnote
2.
1 Jn 1:1 - Something which had existed since the
beginning, that we have heard, and we have seen with our own eyes; that we have
watched and touched with our hands: the Word, who is life-this is our subject.
3. Jn
19:34 - One of the soldiers pierced his
side with a lance; and immediately there came out blood and water.r Footnote r
says“Var. ‘water and blood’. The
significance of the incident is brought out by two texts of scripture (vv.
36f). The blood shows that the lamb has truly been sacrificed for the
salvation of the world, 6:51; the
water, symbol of the spirit, shows that the sacrifice is real source of grace.
Many of the Fathers, not without good reason, interpreted the water and blood
as symbols of baptism and the Eucharist and these two sacraments as signifying
the Church which is born like a second Eve from the side of another Adam, cf.
Ep 5:23-32.”
Verse 29 says: Jesus said to
him: ‘You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and
yet believe.’mFootnotem says “On
the apostles’ witness, cf. Ac 1:8+.”
Parallel texts are:
1.
Jn 4:48 - Jesus said, ‘So you will not believe
unless you see signs and portents!’
2.
Lk. 1:45 - Yes, blessed is she who believed that
the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.
3.
Lk. 24:9-10 - When the women returned from the
tomb they told all this to the Eleven and to all the others. The women were
Mary of Magdala, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with
them also told the apostles.
4.
Jn 12:37 - Though they had been present when he
gave so many signs, they did not believe in him.
Verses 30 and 31 say:
There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw,
but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you
may have life through his name.
Parallel texts are:
1.
1 Jn 5:13 - I have written all this to you so
that you who believe in the name of the Son of God may be sure that you have
eternal life.
2. Ac
3:16 - And it is the name of Jesus
which, through our faith in it, has brought back the strength of this man whom
you see here and who is well known to you. It is faith in that name that has
restored this man to health, as you can all see.jFootnotej says“The
‘name’ according to the ancients, is inseparable from the person and shares his
prerogatives, see Ex. 3:14+. By invoking the name of Jesus, 2:21+, 38+, his
power is stirred to action, 3:6, 4:7, 10:30, 10:43, 16:18, 19:13, LK. 9:49,
10:17, se also Jn. 14:13,14, 15:16, 16:24,26; 20:31. Faith is of course
required if this invocation is to be effective, cf. Ac. 19:13-17, Mt. 8:10+.”
The First Reading is taken Ac 4:32-37, under the title “The early christian comunitym”. Footnote m
says “A summary like that of 2:42-47. The
prevailing idea is here the pooling of resources; this preludes two examples:
Barnabas, Ananias and Sapphira. The emphasis on sacrificing possessions is
characteristic of Luke’s religious outlook.”
Verse 32 says: The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul;
no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned
was held in common.
Parallel texts are:
1. Ac
2:42-47 - The early Christian communitycc.
These remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles,dd to the
brotherhood,ee to the breaking of breadff and to the
prayers.gg(v. 42). The many miracles and signs worked through the
apostles made a deep impression on everyone.hh (v. 43) The faithful
all lived together and owned everything in common; (v. 44) they sold their
goods and possessions and shared out the proceeds among themselves according to
what each needed (v. 45). They went as a body to the Temple every day but met
in their houses for the breaking of bread; they shared their food gladlyii
and generously; (v. 46) they praised Godjj and were looked up to by
everyone. Day by day the Lord added to their community those destined to be
saved.kk (v. 47).Footnotecc says “Cf this passage with 4:32-35 and 5:12-16.
These three composite editorial ‘summaries’ paint similar pictures of life in
the first Christian community.”;Footnote dd says“Not the proclamation of the Good News to
non-Christians , cf. 15:35, but instructions for the newly converted in which the scriptures were explained in
light of the Christian event.”; Footnote ee says“What constitutes this ‘brotherhood’ or
‘fellowship’ is a united purpose, cf. Ga. 2:9; Phm 6; 1 Jn 1:3,6,7; and a care
for the poorer members to the extent of holding all goods in common, cf. Rom
15:26; 2 Co. 8:4; 9:13; Ph 1:5+. In a word: charity.”; Footnote ff
says“See v. 46; 20:7,11; 27:35; Lk.
24:30,35. In itself the phrase suggests a Jewish meal at which the one who
presides pronounces a blessing before dividing the bread. For Christians,
however, it implies the eucharistic
ceremony, 1 Co. 10:16; 11:24; Lk. 22:19p; 22:35+. This, v. 46, was celebrated
not in the temple but in private houses; an ordinary meal would accompany it,
cf. 1 Co. 11:20-34.”; Footnote gg says “Prayers in common, with the apostles presiding, 6:4; 4:24-30, is one
example, Cf. 1:14,24; 12:5. There are many examples in Ac of the constant
prayer Jesus recommended (Mt. 6:5) and practiced (Mt. 14:23+). There is the
prayer in common presided over by the apostles (1:14; 4:24-30; 6:4) with the
breaking of the bread as the central ceremony (2:42,46; 20:7,11); the prayer
for special occasions like the election and ordination to office in the Church
(1:24; 6:6; 13:3; 14:23 - accompani4ed in the last two cases by fasting); the
confirmation of the Samaritans (8:15); the prayer in time of persecution
(4:24-30; 12:5,12). There are also individual prayers: that of Stephen for
himself and his persecutors (7:59-60), the prayer of Paul after his vision
(9:5), of Peter and Paul before they work miracles (9:40; 28:8), of Peter when
God sends him to Cornelius (10:9; 11:5) who is himself a man of prayer
(10:2,4,30-31), of Paul and Silas in prison (16:25), of Paul when he bids
farewell at Miletus (2:36) and at Tyre. In most of these cases the prayer is a
petition (see also the petition for forgiveness in 8:22-240, but there is also
the prayer of praise (16:25) and thanksgiving (28:15). Prayer is evidence of
faith: ‘to invoke the name of Jesus Christ’ is the mark of a Christian
(2:21,38; 9:14,21; 22:16).”; Footnote hh says “Add. ‘in Jerusalem and upon all there was
great fear’.”; Footnote ii says“Joy is the sequel of faith:8:8.9; 4:21; 13:48,52; 16:34; cf. 5:41; Lk.
1:14+; Rm. 15:13.”; Footnote jj says“Cf. 3:8,9; 4:21; 13:48; 21:20; Lk. 2:20+.”; and Footnote kk
says“When judgment comes, the members of
the Christian community are assured of salvation, 2:21+, cf. 13:48 and Apostle
Paul’s letters. The Church is thus identified with ‘the remnant of Israel’, Is.
4:3+. Cf. Rom. 9:27.”
2. Ac
5:12-16 - The general situation.cTheyalld
used to meet by common consent in the Portico of Solomon (12b). No one else
ever dared to join them, but the people were loud in their praise (v. 13) and
the numbers of men and women who came to believe in the Lord increased
steadily.e So many signs and wonders were worked among the people at
the hands of the apostles (12a) that the sick were even taken out into the
streets and laid on beds and sleeping-mats in the hope that at least the shadow
of Peter might fall across some of them as he went past. (v. 15) People even came
crowding in from the towns round about Jerusalem, bringing with them their sick
and those tormented by unclean spirits, and all of them were cured (v. 16).Footnotec
says“The third ‘summary’ stresses the miraculous powers of the
apostles, cf. 2:43; 4:33; Vv. 12b-14
interrupt the development of this theme.”; Footnote d says“Here , it seems, not the apostles but all
the faithful.”; andFootnote e says“Rather than ‘More and more joined (the community) as believers in the
Lord’. Cf. 11:24.”
3. Jn
17:11,21 - I am not in the world any
longer, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep
those you have given me true to your name,j so that they may be one
like us (v. 11). May they all be one. Father, may they be one in us, as you are
in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me (v.
21). Footnotej says“Lit. “Keep those in your name whom (var.
which) you have given me’. So also in v. 12.”
4. Ph
1:27 - Avoid anything in your everyday
livesl that would be unworthy of the gospel of Christ, so that,
whether I come to you and see for myself, or stay at a distance and only hear
about you, I shall know that you are unanimous in meeting the attack with firm
resistance, united by your love for the faith of the gospel.Footnotel
says“Lit. “Live your city-life (i.e. your
ordinary social life) worthily of the gospel’. The New City of God’s kingdom
has Christ for its ruler, the gospel for its law, and the Christians as its
free citizens, cf. 3:20; Ep. 2:19”.
5. Ac
2:44-45 - The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common; (v.
44) they sold their goods and possessions and shared out the proceeds among
themselves according to what each needed (v. 45).
Verse 33 says: The
apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great
power,n and they were all given great respect.oFootnotensays
“A power that showed itself by miracles,
Cf. 2:22; 3:12; 4:7; 6:9; 8:13; 10:38; 1 Th. 1:5; 1 Co. 2:4-5.”; Footnote o
says “By the populace, cf. 2:47; 4:21;
5:13.”
Parallel texts are:
1.
Ac 1:8 - But you will receive power when the
Holy Spirit comes on you,iand then you will be my witnessesj
not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends
of the earth’.k Footnote i says "The Holy Spirit is a favorite theme of Luke
(Lk 4:1+); he talks mostly about the Holy Spirit as a Power, Lk 1:35; 24:49;Ac
1:8;10:38; Rm 15:13,19; 1 Co 2:4,5; 1 Th 1:5; Heb 2:4, sent from God by Christ, Ac 2:38, to broadcast the
Good News. 1. The Spirit gives the charismata, 1 Co 12:4f, that guarantee the
message; the gift of tongues, Ac 2:4+, of miracles, 10:38, of prophecy, 11:27+;
20:23; 21:11, of wisdom, 6:3,5,10:2, the Spirit fives strength to proclaim
Jesus as Messiah in spite of persecution 4:8,31; 5:32; 6:10;cf. Ph 1;19 and to
bear witness to him, Mt. 10;20p; Jn 15:26; Ac 1:8; 2 Tm 1:7f,cf. following
note; 3. The Spirit guides the Church in her major decisions: the admission of pagans, Ac 8:29,40; 10:19,44-47;
11;12-16; 15:8, without obligation to observe the Law, 15:28; Paul’s mission to the pagan
worlds, 13:2f; 16:6-7; 19:1 (Western Text) cf. Mt. 3:16+,Ac also mentions the
Spirit as received in baptism and
forgiving sins, 2:38, cf. Rm 5:5+."; Footnote j says "The primary functions of the apostles is to bear witness: not only to
Christ’s resurrection, Lk. 24:48, Ac 2:32, 3:15, 4:33, 3:32, 24:48,13;31,
22:15, but also to the whole of is public life, Lk 1:21, Jn 15:27, Ac. 1:22,
10:39f."; Footnote k says "nothing can limit the apostolic mission."
2.
Ac 4:30-…’by stretching out your hands to heal
and to work miracles and marvels through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’
Verse 34 says: None of their members was ever in want, as all those who
owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from them.
Parallel texts are:
1. Dt
15:4 - Let there be no poor among you then. For Yahweh will bless you in the
land Yahweh your God gives you for your inheritance.
2. Lk
12:33 -On almsgivingd.Sell
you possessions and give alms. Get yourselves purses that do not wear out,
treasure that will not fail you, in heaven where no thief can reach it and no
moth destroy it.Footnoted
says“That riches are a danger and
should be given away in alms is characteristic teaching of Lk: cf. 3:11; 6:30;
7:5; 11:41; 12:33-34; 14:14; 16:9; 18:22; 19:8; Ac 9:36; Ac 10:2,4,31.”
Verses 35 and 36 say:to present it to the apostles, it was then distributed to any members
who might be in need. There was a Levite of Cypriot origin called Joseph whom
the apostles surnamed Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’)p.
Footnotep says“The Greek word
means both ‘consolation’ and ‘encouragement’, Cf. 11:23. ‘so of’, a semitic
expression here meaning ‘with an aptitude for’. On Barnabas, see 9:27;
11:22-30; 12:25; ch. 13-15; 1 Co. 9:6;
Ga. 2; Col. 4:10”.
Parallel text for verse 35 Ac 2:44-45 is that says:The
faithful all lived together and owned everything in common; (v. 44) they sold
their goods and possessions and shared out the proceeds among themselves
according to what each needed (v. 45).
Verse 37 says: He owned a piece of land and he sold it and brought the money, and
presented it to the apostles.
Parallel texts are:
1. Ac
11:22 - The Church in Jerusalemh
heard about this and the sent Barnabas to Antioch.Footnoteh says “Which enjoyed right of supervision over the
other churches, cf. 8:14; 11:1, and see Ga 2:2+”.
2. Ac
13:1 - So it was that after fasting and
prayer they laid their hands on themc and sent them off. Footnote c says “It
seems, to judge by 14:26 (cf. 15:40), that by this act the community commends
to God’s grace the new missionaries chosen, v. 2, and sent, v. 4, by the Holy
Spirit. The significance of the rite is not, therefore, exactly the same as
that of 6:6 by which the Seven receive their commission from the apostles. Cf.
1 Tm 4:14+.”
3.
1 Co 9:6 - Are Barnabas and I the only ones who
are not allowed to stop working?
4. Ga
2:1 - It was not fourteen yearsa
had passed that I went up to Jerusalem
again. I went with Barnabas and took Titus with me.Footnotea says“Reckoning
from the last meeting with Peter or else, preferably, from Paul’s conversion.
It is possible that the ‘three years’ of 1:18 and the ‘fourteen’ of 2:1 are no
more the one-and-a-half and twelve-and-a-half respectively, since it was
customary to court even the last few days or the first days of a year as a
whole year”.
The Second Reading is from 1 P 1:3-9.
Verse 3 says: Blessed be God the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy has given us a new birth as his sons, by
raising Jesus Christ from the dead, so that we have a sure hope.
Parallel texts are:
1. 1
P 1:23…your new birth was not from any
mortal seed but from the everlasting word of the living and eternal God.g Footnoteg
says“Or ‘the living and eternal
Word of God.’
2. Jn
3:5 - Jesus replied: ‘I tell you most
solemnly, unless a man is born through water and the Spirit,c he
cannot enter the kingdom of God. Footnotec says “Allusion
to baptism and its necessity, cf. Rm. 6:4+.”
3.
1 Jn 2:29 - You know that God is righteous- then
you must recognize that everyone whose life is righteous has been begotten by
him.
4. 1
Jn 3:9 - Only by this can we be certaing
that we are children of the truth h and be able to quieten our
conscience in his presence.Footnoteg says“Lit. ‘we shall be certain’; var. (Vulg.) ‘we are certain’. “; and
Footnote h says“In the O.T.
‘truth’ (contrasting with unrighteousness and evil) the rightness of a life
morally well lived in accordance with the will of Yahweh, in fidelity to
Yahweh. This is the way John uses the word. As there is a double commandment to
fidelity and love, 3:23, people are said to ‘belong to truth’ if they
believe,2:21,22, and love, 3:19, they are said to live ‘in union with (walk
according to) truth’ 2 Jn 4-6, 3 Jn 3-6, to ‘do the truth’, Jn 3:21 (to perform
or act it, as opposed to committing sin, doing wrong) cf. Jn 18:37; 4:24.”
Verse 4 says: And the promise of inheritance that
can never be spoilt or soiled and never fade away, because it is being kept for
you in the heavens.
Parallel texts are:
1.
Mt 6:19-20p- “Do not store up treasures for
yourselves on earth, where moth and woodworms destroy them, and thieves can
break in and steal (v. 19) But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven,
where neither moth nor woodworms destroy them and thieves cannot break in and
steal (v.20).
2.
Rm 1:4 - It
is about Jesus Christ our Lord who is the order of the spirit, the spirit of
holiness that is in him, was proclaimedc Son of God in all his power
through his resurrection from the dead.dFootnotec
says“Vulg. ‘predestined’.”; and
Footnote dsays“For Paul Christ
rose only because God raised him, 1 Th. 1:10; 1 Co. 6:14; 15:15; 2 Co. 4:14;
Ga. 1:1; Rm. 4:24; 10:9; Ac. 2:24+; cf. 1 P. 1:21, thus displaying his ‘power’,
2 Cor. 13:4; Rm. 6:4; Ph. 3:10; Col. 2:12; Ep. 1:19f; Heb. 7:16; and because God raised him to life through the
Holy Spirit, Rm. 8:11. Christ is established in glory as Kyrios, Ph 2:9-11+; Ac
2:36; Rm 14:9, deserving anew, this time in virtue of his messianic work, the
name he had from eternity, ‘son of God’, Ac 13:33, Heb 1:5; %:5. Cf. Rm 8:11+;
9:5+.”
3. Col
1:5,12…because of the hope which is
stored up for you in heaven. It is only recently that you heard of this, when
it was announced in the message of truth. The Good News (v. 5). …thanking the
Father who has made it possible for you to join the saints and with them to
inherit the light.c (v. 12).Footnotecsays“Lit. ‘Thanking the Father (for) having made
you (var. ‘us’) fit for the part of the lot of the saints in the light’; var.
‘for having called you (var. ‘us’) to…’ The ‘lot of the saints’ is what all
holy people are to inherit, i.e. the ‘salvation’ that had been thought of as a
bequest made exclusively to Israel. Now, non-Jews are called to share it, cf.
Ep 1:11-13. The word ‘saints’ (lit. ‘holy ones’) here can mean either
Christians, i.e. people called to live the ‘life of light’ while still living
on earth, Rm 1:7f, cf. Jn 8:12f, or it can mean the angels who live with God in
the eschatological ‘light’, cf. Ac 9:13+.”
4. Col
3:3-4 - Because you have died, and now
the life youhave is hidden with Christ in God (v. 3). But when Christ is
revealed – and he is your life - you too will berevealedin all your glory with
him b(v. 4). Footnote b says “Through union with Christ in
baptism, 2:12, his followers already live the identical life he lives in
heaven, cf. Ep 2:6+, but this spiritual life is not manifest and glorious as it will be in the parousia.”
Verse 5 says: Through your faith, God’s power will guard you until the salvation
which has been prepared is revealed at the end of time.cFootnotecsays “Lit. ‘at the last time’, cf. 1:20.”
Parallel texts are:
1.
Ep 1:19 - and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us
believers. This you can tell from the
strength of his power …
2.
1 Jn 3:2 - My dear people, we are already the
children of God but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed;
all we know is, that when it is revealed we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he really is.
Verse 7 says: This is a cause of great joy for you, even though you may
for a short time have to bear being plagued by all sort of trials.
Parallel texts are:
1. Ml
3:2-3 - Who will be able to resist the
day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears? For he is like the
refiner’s fire and the fuller’s alkali (v. 2). He will take his seat as refiner
and purifier;c he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like
gold and silver, and then they will make the offering to Yahweh s it should be
made (v. 3).Footnotec says“Hebr. Adds ‘of silver’.”
2.
1 Co 3:13…but whatever the material, the work of
each builder is going to be clearly revealed when the day comes. That day will
begin with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.
3.
Rm 2:7 - For those who sought renown and honor
and immortality by always doing good there will be eternal life…
Verse 8 says: You did not see him, yet you love him;
and still without seeing him, you are already filled with a joy so glorious
that it cannot be described, because you believe;
Parallel text is 1 Jn 4:20 that says:Anyone who
says, ‘I love God’, and hates his brother, is a liar, since a man who does not
love the brother that he can see cannot love God, whom he has never seen.
Verse 9 says: And you are sure of the end to which
your faith looks forward, that is, the salvation of your souls.
Parallel text is Heb 10:39 that say:You and I are not
the sort of people who draw back, and are lost by it; we are the sort who keep faithful until our
souls are saved.
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