Our readings from the 2nd Book of Kings end this week with the account of the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, brutally leveling Jerusalem, killing or taking away in chains its leaders and most of its population, leaving only some of its poor behind. (Friday)

A reading from the Book of Lamentations describes the devastation in grim detail. (Saturday)

The sad history of the Jewish kingdom beset by pride and greed, recalled in our previous readings these weeks, comes to an end.

Our readings from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount also end this week. Jesus comes down from the mountain with a large crowd following him. He heals a leper before entering Capernaum to begin his ministry.  (Friday)

As he enters Capernaum he heals the servant of a Roman centurion who is paralyzed. (Saturday)

Matthew describes the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Capernaum so differently than Mark, who describes Jesus silencing a demon in the town’s synagogue as his first miracle. Matthew’s miracles point to God’s salvation offered to all: those society banishes, like the leper and enemies, like the Roman solider.  

Even though the first and second readings on weekdays are not chosen to connect, it seems to me our readings this week make sense together.

All the saints celebrated this week are  good examples to reflect on in these crazy political times. John the Baptist, (Tuesday) Thomas More, John Fisher. (Monday)