GOSPEL READING
THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT: 3rd part
Treasure: Mt 6,19-34
In the third part of the body, the Sermon on the Mount becomes much more loosely organised. Read through this second part of the chapter and look for its various parts. Notice how it is divided by a phrase into two connected parts. What would you say as a first impression is the theme of these verses?
Many commentators like to look for a structure, a formal arrangment, in a passage. Often one can be found, as in the first part of this chapter. In this second part, a better way of reading the passage may be to see it flow, to see how one part flows into the next. Keep this in mind as we read.
Three sayings: 6,19-24
List the three sayings. The middle one looks a bit out of place, we need to consider what Jesus might be saying here.
Note how all three sayings are formed by parallel but contrasting statements. The second and third begin with the thesis, for the first it is the conclusion.
For a similar message to verses 19 to 21, see the letter of James, 5,1-6. In what way is Jesus being counter-cultural? See for example, Deuterononmy 30,5.15. For the heart, look back to 5,8.
Verses 22-23 with the theme of light unexpectedly give a different note to our present understanding of the eyes. What might these verses be saying in their setting? For background, see Proverbs 15,10. As for the evil eye, look at Sirach 14,9-10.
See how verse 24 is put together. How does this third saying summarise the theme of these three sayings? Look at the various translations - what is the traditional term?
Look now at my response so far.
God's care: Mt 6,25-34
Read through this teaching, we have mentioned the opening connecting phrase. Look for the phrase which is repeated three times, the first two being almost identical verses.
Look at the two teachings that follow from the identical verses. In the first case, see how Matthew states his theme and then picks up each part in turn.
What is the positive message stated in this teaching?
It's as well to take a look at my response before we move on to the detail.
We begin then with verses 25 to 30: worry about food, drink and clothes is expounded by a comparison with nature. There is a whole series of rhetorical questions, just a few points need highlighting.
Verse 26 recalls Psalm 147,9. Think too of the rich biblical tradition behind this, the Israelites in the desert, for example (Ex 16,4; 17,6)
Verse 27 can be read in two ways. This may be brought out by comparing translations.
For Solomon, see 1 Kings 10,4-5
For verse 30, look at Is 40,6-8. There's an interesting word at the end of the verse, see 8,26.
Verse 31 repeats "Therefore" before Jesus in verse 32 speaks about a wider group of people. Again, compare translations and a look at 28,29 may help too.
Verse 33: whose kingdom (see 4,33; 5,3); whose righteousness (see 3,15; 5,6)? What is the significance of "first"?
Verse 34 is classic wisdom (Proverbs 27,1) but with a special meaning in this context of verse 33. See Ps 94,7.
Now look at my response.
The Sunday Gospel
The last part of the chapter (6,24-34) is read on the 8th Sunday of Ordinary Time. This includes the final verse of the previous section, 6,24. That verse sets the scene for the passage we have just read about God's care, 6,25-34.
The Old Testament reading is Isaiah 49,14-15 with a responsorial psalm taken from Ps 61(62 in your Bible). It would be good for you to reflect upon those two verses and on the psalm before considering my response. What do they tell us about our God?
In 2017, this is the last Sunday in Ordinary Time before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.
We can now continue with the sayings at the beginning of the next chapter, 7,1-12.