1st Reading – Wisdom 2:12,17-20

The wicked say:
Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;
he sets himself against our doings,
reproaches us for transgressions of the law
and charges us with violations of our training.
Let us see whether his words be true;
let us find out what will happen to him.
For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him
and deliver him from the hand of his foes.
With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test
that we may have proof of his gentleness
and try his patience.
Let us condemn him to a shameful death;
for according to his own words, God will take care of him.

The Book of Wisdom was written in Greek about a hundred years before Christ’s birth. Its author, whose name is unknown, was a member of the Jewish community in Alexandria, Egypt, where the book is believed to have been composed.

The Book of Wisdom is an example of wisdom literature, which uses reason to explore the mysteries of faith. There are six books of Wisdom literature in the Old Testament: Job, Proverbs, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Sirach, and Wisdom (or The Wisdom of Solomon).

In this reading, evildoers put a just man to the test with abuse and torture. Many have understood Wisdom 2:12-20 as a direct prophecy of the Passion of Christ. Continue reading “Sep 22, 2024: 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)” →