Saint Dominic
contemplating the Scriptures
Genesis 1:1-2:4a
A hymn of creation extols the goodness of heaven and earth, and praises the Creator who has made all things very good.
Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18, 8:6-18, 9:8-13
In the preceding chapter, we read of the “wickedness of humankind” and of God's intention to “blot out from the earth the human beings I have created”. But Noah was a righteous man “who walked with God”. God has instructed Noah to construct an ark.
Genesis 22:1-18
God has given Abraham and Sarah a son, Isaac. Through him Abraham’s line will continue. But now God seeks proof that Abraham is totally committed to him. Life is God’s to give, and his to take away.
Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21
After suffering from plagues sent by God, the Pharaoh has allowed the Israelites to leave Egypt. The Egyptian army has pursued them and has overtaken them camped near the Reed Sea, a shallow body of water north of the Red Sea.
Isaiah 54:5-14
The people of Israel are living in exile in Babylon. They hope that God will soon end their exile. Jerusalem lies in ruins. They are pictured as God's wife with God as their husband.
Isaiah 55:1-11
In a hymn of joy and triumph, the prophet celebrates the approaching consummation of Israel’s restoration, and invites all people to share in the abundant life of the people of God.
Baruch 3:9-15,32-4:4
This reading probably dates from after the people of Israel had returned to Israel, at a time when they were governed by gentile Hellenic rulers. They were not permitted to practice Judaism freely.
Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21; 9:4b-6
Wisdom, personified as a woman, cries out to all people. She is of divine origin. She was created before God began creating the world. She witnessed creation, and came to know its secrets.
Ezekiel 36:24-28
God promises to return the people to Israel. Living according to Mosaic law will be facilitated by his spirit.
Ezekiel 37:1-14
It is likely that Ezekiel was among those deported when the Babylonians first took Jerusalem. In exile, his mission was to preach the word of God to bring new life to dead Israel.
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Earlier in the chapter, the author has spoken of the failure of Jerusalem and her inhabitants to behave properly towards God. He has destroyed other nations as a warning to them. In spite of this, God will cause Gentiles to turn to his ways: they will serve him by permitting the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem.
Romans 6:3-11
Paul has insisted that God gives grace to the Christian purely as a matter of love and without expectation of being paid back. The more we deviate from God's ways the more he gives us grace. But this might leave Paul open to a charge of encouraging licentiousness.
Luke 24:1-12
Joseph of Arimathea has wrapped Jesus’ body in a linen cloth and has laid it in a tomb carved into the rock face. The women have prepared the “spices and ointments” for embalming his body, but there was insufficient time to do so before the start of the Sabbath. Now, on Sunday (“the first day of the week”), they come to prepare his body for burial.
© 1996-2022 Chris Haslam