Rock or Stone

This first half of the Mass is called the Liturgy of the Word.

It includes three or four different main selections from Sacred Scripture.

We have a first reading, usually from the Old Testament.

But sometimes, as today, from a non-Gospel book of the New Testament.

Then we have a selection from the Psalms, including a repeated Response.

On Sundays and special feasts we have a second reading, taken from a New Testament book.

And finally, we have the Gospel.

The different Scripture selections for a Mass sometimes bear little relationship to each other.

They can be daily excerpts for a chronological reading through two separate books.

As in the past few days, where the first reading is progressing through The Acts of the Apostles,

And the Gospel is progressing through verses from John.

But often, as on special feasts, all the main readings complement each other.

The reading selections are determined from time-to-time by committees of liturgists.

The last major revision was made fifty years ago with Vatican II.

They put together the different selections for each Mass and establish the Ordo—

the Order of Prayer in the Celebration of the Eucharist.

Many of the Protestant churches follow the same order for their Scripture readings.

Today, there's no strikingly obvious link between the first reading and the Gospel.

But there are strong links between our first reading and the Psalm.

Stephen harshly criticizes the people and the elders for their refusal to accept Jesus.

And he reports his vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

In return, they quickly make him the first martyr--by stoning him to death.

It almost seems like the committee was having a little fun with today's readings.

They chose a Psalm that says:

Be my rock of refuge.

You are my rock and my fortress.

Stephen's being stoned, and the committee gives us a Psalm about the Lord being a rock!

But the committee made a good choice; that Psalm really is fitting.

The Lord was indeed Stephen's fortress and refuge.

He couldn't have summoned the courage to speak out without that faith and confidence.

Then Stephen says: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

As the Psalm says: Into your hands I commend my spirit.

The Psalm also says: You will lead and guide me.

My trust is in the Lord.

I will rejoice and be glad in your mercy.

All words aptly applied to St Stephen in today's reading.

You can almost hear Stephen saying them.

You can see his commitment to those ideals.

And when you think about it, eventually those words could be just as aptly applied to Saul.

And to us.

Tuesday, 3rd Week of  Easter

Jn 6:30-35           Read this Scripture @usccb.org