The Word today, TrinityB

May 27 - June 01, 2024

Monday 27 May

St Augustine of Canterbury, bishop

1 Peter 1:3-9 We read this week from 1 Peter, an early Christian document aimed at encouraging the faithful in times of trial. Our reading is marked by warm words of encouragement and a deep sense of faith: You did not see him, yet you love him!

Mark 10:17-27 Here we have an attractive and yet unsettling story. The man is the story is obviously good and a little naive. He doesn’t seem to know himself. Jesus’ penetrating glance of love sees great potential in him. Suddenly, it is too much and the man slinks away. We too can fool ourselves. We too need the penetrating glance of love which lays bare the cost of discipleship.

Tuesday 28 May

1 Peter 1:10-16 Having reflected yesterday on the role of the Father and Christ, today’s reading goes deeply into the role of the Holy Spirit. The practical consequences are, well, practical!

Mark 10:28-31 After the story of the rich man, the question of Peter is simply and natural. The reply of Jesus, on the other hand, is many-layered, full of promise and challenge ship.

Wednesday 29 May

St Paul VI, bishop of Rome

1 Peter 1:18-25 Using Old Testament language of ransom, the writer wants us to be aware of the cost of salvation — and the preciousness of the gift bestowed on us.

Mark 10:32-35 This story can still shock because of the bald ambition of the disciples. It leads to a clear teaching on service.

Thursday 30 May

1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12 A powerful reading, taking up images from the Old Testament and applying them to the whole people of God.

Mark 10:46-52 The story of Bartimaeus closes the teaching on discipleship which started with the healing of the blind man in two stages. The lectionary translation misses the force of the last line. It should read: he followed him along The Way.

Friday 31 May

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Zephaniah 3:14-18 The note of joy at the coming of the Lord anticipates today’s Gospel, with its own note of joy at the coming of Jesus.

Luke 1:39-56 This gospel passage — like others in Luke — has inspired Christian prayer. In this case, the Hail Mary and the Magnificat.

Saturday 01 June

St Justin, martyr

Jude 1:17-, 20-25 Jude is a very brief letter, perhaps a late Christian one. It is written to a community which tends to deny the Second Coming and the Last Judgment. As a result, their morals are weakened.

Mark 11:27-33 The question asked in this Gospel is the right one: by what authority does Jesus speak and act? We too have to ask ourselves the very same question about Jesus in our own lives.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024at, May 26). The solemnity of the most Holy Trinity. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052624.cfm

--Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/