Saint Dominic
contemplating the Scriptures
Ruth 1:1-18
This story reflects social customs in a patriarchal society, where widows are powerless and destitute. Naomi places the welfare of her daughters-in-law above that of her sons, for the only way a man who died without issue was considered to live on was by continuation of his blood line – that is, through sons born to his widow and conceived through a kinsman. Over the next few weeks, we will learn the purpose of the story.
Hebrews 9:11-14
The author draws a comparison between a high priest’s offering of animal blood in the sanctuary of the Temple and Christ’s sacrifice of himself on the cross. He finds Christ’s offering much superior because it removes all traces of guilt for past ungodly deeds for ever.
Mark 12:28-34
Some religious leaders have asked Jesus questions on issues central to Jewish thinking at the time, hoping to entrap him. But now a scribe asks him a question to learn rather than to entrap, namely: which of the 613 precepts in Jewish law is the most important?
© 1996-2022 Chris Haslam