Scripture readings

Focus on Mass Readings Friday (vol 34)

Scripture readings31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading 
Deut 6:2-6

[2] That thou mayst fear the Lord thy God, and keep all his commandments and precepts, which I command thee, and thy sons, and thy grandsons, all the days of thy life, that thy days may be prolonged. [3] Hear, O Israel, and observe to do the things which the Lord hath commanded thee, that it may be well with thee, and thou mayst be greatly multiplied, as the Lord the God of thy fathers hath promised thee a land flowing with milk and honey. [4] Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. [5] Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole strength.

[6] And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thy heart:

Second Reading

Heb 7:23-28

[23] And the others indeed were made many priests, because by reason of death they were not suffered to continue: [24] But this, for that he continueth for ever, hath an everlasting priesthood, [25] Whereby he is able also to save for ever them that come to God by him; always living to make intercession for us.

[23] Many priests: The apostle notes this difference between the high priests of the law, and our high priest Jesus Christ; that they being removed by death, made way for their successors; whereas our Lord Jesus is a priest for ever, and hath no successor; but liveth and concurreth for ever with his ministers, the priests of the new testament, in all their functions. Also, that no one priest of the law, nor all of them together, could offer that absolute sacrifice of everlasting redemption, which our one high priest Jesus Christ has offered once, and for ever.

[25] Make intercession: Christ, as man, continually maketh intercession for us, by representing his passion to his Father.

[26] For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; [27] Who needeth not daily (as the other priests) to offer sacrifices first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, in offering himself. [28] For the law maketh men priests, who have infirmity: but the word of the oath, which was since the law, the Son who is perfected for evermore.

Gospel Reading
Mark 12:28b-34

[28] And there came one of the scribes that had heard them reasoning together, and seeing that he had answered them well, asked him which was the first commandment of all. [29] And Jesus answered him: The first commandment of all is, Hear, O Israel: the Lord thy God is one God. [30] And thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind, and with thy whole strength. This is the first commandment.

[31] And the second is like to it: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than these. [32] And the scribe said to him: Well, Master, thou hast said in truth, that there is one God, and there is no other besides him. [33] And that he should be loved with the whole heart, and with the whole understanding, and with the whole soul, and with the whole strength; and to love one’s neighbour as one’s self, is a greater thing than all holocausts and sacrifices. [34] And Jesus seeing that he had answered wisely, said to him: Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.