Understanding the Word

By Dianne Bergant, C.S.A.

The first reading is an account of the covenant that God entered into after the  flood. It was made with Noah, with his descendants, with all the living creatures  that were in the ark, and with the earth itself. The covenant was promissory, God  pledging that never again would unruly waters destroy the world and its inhabitants. The bow in the sky may well be a reference to the weapon of the divine  warrior who was victorious over the forces of primordial chaos. Just as God rested  after creation (see Genesis 2:2–3), hanging up the bow is a sign that order has  been established in the universe. 

The author of First Peter speaks of the efficacy of Christ’s death. It was a sin offering, like the sacrifices of expiation offered daily in the temple, with the blood  of the victim sprinkled on the altar. However, Christ’s sacrifice was effective for all  time and for all people. It was also vicarious, endured for others. Like the servant  in Isaiah (Isaiah 53:4–6), Jesus was the innocent man who bore the guilt of the  unrighteous. Christ did this so that we might be brought to God and have access  to God’s saving grace. Finally, after ascending into heaven, Christ occupies the  place of honor at the right hand of God. 

The account of Jesus’ temptation is charged with meaning. The wilderness was  the place of trial. Forty days held special meaning. Moses fasted that long as he  inscribed the commandments (Exodus 34:28); Elijah fasted for the same length of  time as he walked to Horeb (1 Kings 19:8). It was in this same tradition that Jesus  fasted. The announcement of his ministry summarizes the content of his preaching. In eschatological thought, the advent of the reign of God called for a change  of mind and heart. Since Jesus’ interpretation of God’s will did not correspond to  the predominant understanding of his day, his announcement of such a ministry  was fraught with danger. 

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