Aug.6. Continued Reading. Lectionary #411

Scripture: Lectionary 411, Aug.6 (continuous reading not Transfiguration).
Nahum 2:1; 3, 1-3, 6-7. Deuteronomy 32:35-36.39.41. Matthew 16:24-28:

Frequently the Scriptures present us with texts that are filled with
contrasts, opposites, and differences. We see this especially in the
prophetic literature of the Old Testament and in the Deuteronomic tradition
where blessings are presented together with curses whenever their is
infidelity to the covenant. Nahum , our prophet for today's first reading,
starts with positive messages of blessing heaped upon Judah, while just the
opposite occurs for the people of Babylon and its capitol, Niniveh.

The Psalm Response has the same pattern. It is taken from the Book of
Deuteronomy which also features blessings and curses depending on the
choices Israel makes and the choices that individuals make in respect to
the teaching of the Torah.

Perhaps, the best way to see these contrasts so familiar to us in real life
is to read the chapter of Kohelet, a Wisdom writing from two hundred years
before the birth of Jesus. Ecclesiastes or Kohelet contrasts our life's
experiences: There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for
every affair under the heavens. A time to be born, and a time to die; a
time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant etc.

Such contrasts and differences help us to learn and experience skills in
how to handle the difficulties in our lives. The two testaments of
scripture are a mirror and a reflection of ourselves in so many ways. We
learn how to choose the good over the bad by reading and praying the
scriptures.

Jesus, too, contrasts things in his parables to teach us how to attain the
kingdom of God both within ourselves and the ultimate goal of our
life--reaching the Kingdom of God.We learn much from these picturesque ways
of God's revelation to us. In the passage for today we are to take up the
cross and to deny ourselves in order to find ourselves. This can be done
only with the help of Jesus as we enter into the Paschal Mystery each day
through our Eucharist and through our prayers both communal and individual.
Jesus tells us, "For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his
Father's glory, and he will repay everyone according to his conduct. Amen,
I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until
they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." (Matt. 16:27-28) Amen.