Third Week of Ordinary Time

2 Sam. 11:1-4, 5-10, 13-17 & Mk. 4:26-34.

There is no need to read paperbacks or watch television to see sex and violence - we can find plenty of it in the pages of the Bible!

2 Sam. 7:18-19, 24-29 & Mk. 4:21-25

David's prayer in the first readings is one of gratitude. He had just received, through the prophet Nathan, a solemn promise from God that He would build a dynasty. This meant that David's line would not die out, and that one of his descendants would be the royal Messiah Whom we know to be Jesus Christ.

2 Sam. 7:4-11 & Mk. 4:1-20

David was eager to build God a dwelling because he lived in a fine palace while the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God's presence among His people, was in a tent. But God spoke to David through the prophet Nathan telling him that it was his son, Solomon, who would build Him a temple. David's task was to unite his people.

2 Sam. 6:12-15, 17-19 & Mk. 3:31-35

David brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. By doing this he made Jerusalem the centre of worship and helped to bring about national unity under his rule. Contained in the Ark were the two tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written. It was therefore especially sacred, the symbol of God's presence among His people.

2 Sam. 5:1-7, & Mk. 3:22-30

During today's first reading were you struck by the similarities between David and Jesus? When He was a boy I am sure Jesus would have been steeped in the history of His people. He would have known all there was to know about His ancestor King David, perhaps even regarding him as His hero as one writer has claimed.

Neh. 8:2-6, 8-10; Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21

How many of us know how to read the Bible, or even listen to the readings? Two of our Scripture passages today address this very issue.

The reading from Nehemiah tells of a time when Ezra, the priest, stood before the people and read aloud from the book of the law. In the Gospel we see Jesus visiting the synagogue in His hometown on the Sabbath when He read, and briefly explained, a passage from the prophet Isaiah.

Heb. 11:1-2, 8-19 & Mk. 4:35-41

Most little children have complete faith and trust in their parents. They turn to them for their every need believing they can do anything, from soothing a pain to mending a toy. They live life with joy and abandon, just knowing that their parents are powerful and loving.

Heb. 10:32-39 & Mk. 4:26-34

Looking back over our lives we can all remember difficult times when life was almost unbearable. Yet, years later it is hard to recall in detail how trying things were. If the results made it all worthwhile, then our memory draws a veil over the unpleasantness, the effort and the struggle. When times are easier, we forget what strength and determination we needed during those difficult days. Doing the will of God, according to the write of the first reading, requires endurance.

Heb. 10:19-25 & Mk. 4:21-25

We have our own soul to save, but in getting to Heaven we have others who help us and we too, please God, will help others to get there. In this way the Church is essentially a community and we have obligations to each other as the first reading explains.

Heb. 10:11-18 & Mk. 4:1-20

Jesus sacrificed Himself to death on the Cross to achieve the forgiveness of sin. He shed His Blood for everyone. But people must be ready to ask and to receive that forgiveness.

Offerings made by priests of the Old Testament law had no power to take away sins. This was because God is the one offended by sin, and only the God made Man, Jesus Christ, can bring about its forgiveness. He did it once and for all by His sacrifice on Calvary.