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Pope Benedict XVI RIP ~ May he Rest In Peace

 

Music from the special Requiem Mass held at our Cathedral on Tuesday for Pope Emeritus Benedict.

Thanks to Deacon Vincent for his Reflections for 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

1st Reading from the prophet Isaiah 49: 3, 5-6.
This is a brief extract from the second song of the “Suffering Servant”, which is a feature of the second Isaiah. It enhances the picture of the perfect servant of God. He is formed in the womb by God and is not specifically for the people of Israel, but is to be a light for the Nations, the Gentile world. This theme was taken up by Luke in his Gospel, chapter 2, by Simeon, the righteous and pious, waiting for Israel’s comfort. He takes the child Jesus in his arms and exclaims, “For my eyes have seen your salvation for the Nations, the light to enlighten the Gentiles and give glory to Israel, your people.” We are beginning to share Isaiah’s theology of the Saviour, Jesus Christ. It is so important in developing our understanding of Christ. The ministry of Jesus will result in God’s salvation stretching to the ends of the earth.

Psalm 39: 2, 4, 7-10.
This is a thanksgiving song and a prayer for help until the end. God is the instigator of the song; his spirit enables us to do his work.

2nd Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 1: 1-3.
Paul uses the conventional opening of the letter to work for him. The first thing we notice is that Paul is called to be an Apostle, it is not a task he has chosen for himself but has experienced a divine calling. He is not working alone but in conjunction with Sosthenes, a fellow Christian. He mentions Jesus four times in this opening passage, he is overwhelmed by his beloved Jesus. Corinthians were inclined to get above themselves, so he gently reminds them that it is not by their own efforts but by the beneficiaries of God’s generous action. He mentions God and Jesus action of sending grace and peace to them, but he has yet to explain their relationship and how this benefice works. Paul’s letters are interwoven with so much quiet, almost hidden theology. He is intriguing to study.

The Holy Gospel according to John 1: 29-34.
Here we have an amazing exclamation of John, upon seeing Jesus for the first time coming towards him. “The Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” This title appears nowhere else in the New Testament, except in Revelations, but it is a different word in the Greek that is used. We cannot be sure of the precise force this title had, but it finds its way into the Christian Eucharistic liturgy. We think the “Lamb” refers to the “Passover Lamb”, with an oblique reference to the “Scapegoat” in the taking away the sins of the world. John goes on to testify that he saw the Spirit descend on him like a dove. He will baptise with the Holy Spirit. Then John further testifies that Jesus is “the Chosen One of God.” John’s gospel is unique in that in its opening passages it acclaims Jesus as the Son of God, and then goes on to explain why that is claimed, whereas the other three Gospels take us on a journey of discovering exactly who Jesus is. Whichever way it is explained we are blessed with an introduction to the Son of God and how we come to be ransomed and adopted by Him. Let us always be thankful to the Holy Spirit for our baptism which opened us up to God’s loving care.

God Bless us throughout the coming year: Deacon Vincent