Friday, 21 September 2012

Wisdom, 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B


Korsfæstelsen, ca. 1506-1520,
Lucas Cranach the Elder
It's an interesting first reading coming up, from the book of Wisdom (Wis 2:12,17–20) written during the 2nd or 1st century BC, deuterocanonical for Catholics and apocryphal as far as Protestants are concerned. It was in the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Old Testament in circulation among Jews at the time of Christ. The notes in the CEI online say that it was was inspired by the fourth Servant Song (Is 52:13–53:12) and reference Psalm 22:8. I’d never read it before becoming Catholic, but it evokes the passion of Christ very powerfully. I quote from the Douay–Rheims for copyright reasons, adding some references of my own:
(12) Let us therefore lie in wait for the just,
because he is not for our turn,
and he is contrary to our doings,
and upbraideth us with transgressions of the law, (cf. Mk 7:9)
and divulgeth against us the sins of our way of life.

(13–16) He boasteth that he hath the knowledge of God, (cf. Mt 11:27)
 and calleth himself the son of God. (cf. Mk 14:61–62)
 He is become a censurer of our thoughts. (cf. Mt 5:21–22,27–28)
 He is grievous unto us, even to behold: (cf. Is 53:3)
 for his life is not like other men's, (cf. Jn 1:4, 8:23, 3:31)
 and his ways are very different.

We are esteemed by him as triflers,
and he abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness, (cf. Mt 23:27)
 and he preferreth the latter end of the just, (cf. Mt 5:10–12)
 and glorieth that he hath God for his father. (cf. Jn 10:34–38)

(17–20) Let us see then if his words be true, (cf. Mk 15:32)
and let us prove what shall happen to him,
and we shall know what his end shall be.
For if he be the true son of God, he will defend him, (cf. Ps 22:8, Mt 27:43)
and will deliver him from the hands of his enemies.

Let us examine him by outrages and tortures,
that we may know his meekness and try his patience. (cf. Is 53:7)
Let us condemn him to a most shameful death: (cf. Gal 3:13)
for there shall be respect had unto him by his words.
Mt 27:42–43
Lk 23:41–42
Ps 32:7–8 Pr 3:18 & Wis 7:29 Wis 7:22,25–26,28 Mk 9:31,34
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By Mark - 9/21/2012
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