Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Commentary:
Reading 1 Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
We delve into the Book of the Prophet Nehemiah and since this is a book we do not hear much from perhaps a little explanation is useful, especially since today Nehemiah’s reading deals with Ezra, who’s Book precedes Nehemiah in the current canon of the Bible.
Both prophets were active at the time of the Restoration. That is the time following the Babylonian exile during which the Jewish people were returned to their historical geography and the nation of Israel was reestablished.
In the reading today, we hear Ezra, who of the two was more responsible for reintroducing the Law as the constitution of the reformed state, proclaiming the Law. Now comes Nehemiah, the Administrator telling the people who were overcome with emotion at hearing God’s word once more, explaining that it is a time for rejoicing because they are once more united under God’s Law.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Psalm 19 captures the joy of the people we hear in the reading from Nehemiah. It is a song that rejoices in the Law of the Lord and happily embraces it because of its saving power.
Reading II 1 Cor 12:12-30
Today we are given the great Pauline analogy of the Body as Church. He goes first into detail enumerating the parts of the body and distinguishing their functions. He then proposes that the body needs the diversity of parts and could not function effectively without all of them.
Paul then goes through the same process with functions within the Church, again enumerating the functions; “first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues.” His message is clear, the Church needs all of these functions and even though some get more attention, all are prized.
Gospel Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21
The Gospel selection today is actually two different passages from Luke’s Gospel. Probably because last week we were given the story of the Wedding at Cana from John’s Gospel as sort of a wrap up to Epiphany, this week we start with the introduction to Luke’s Gospel as he writes of his purpose to Theophilus.
We then pick up the story of Jesus following his baptism and temptation in the desert. These will be dealt with in more detail during the Lenten Season. Luke’s Gospel refers in a summary way to the works we have been hearing about in Mark’s Gospel during the week.
Jesus comes to the Synagogue and reads from Isaiah (Isa 61; 1-3). The passage refers to the coming of the Messiah and the mission of the Son of God to the poor and marginalized. He then tells those listening; "Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." This is our true beginning of Ordinary Time as revelation is complete.
Reflection:
The focus of our scripture today flows like the beginning of a journey. We are first given the story of the restoration of the Law to the Hebrews in the story from Nehemiah. We are told how, upon hearing Ezra read and explain the Torah, the people wept. After their long exile in Babylon, God’s presence, his guiding force was once more upon them. Then Nehemiah tells them that this is indeed a time for rejoicing. This same sentiment is reflected in the Psalm as we hear; “Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life”.
Unifying Ezra the scribe and Nehemiah the Leader of the People, we have St. Paul’s analogy that says all parts of the body are needed if the risen body of Christ, which is the Church, is to operate properly. His statements remind us that we are united in Him and like the ancient Hebrews we are moved with joy at our own unity.
Finally, in the Gospel we hear how Christ returns from his own exile in the desert. Like Ezra, he opens God’s word to the people, proclaiming God’s will with authority. Unlike Ezra, the Lord actually proclaims his own coming. With that we close the book for today. We can only imagine the impact of those words on his contemporaries in the Synagogue.
What should we take away from the events that unfold in scripture? First, and we need this reminder often, we can know that today can be the first day of our journey of faith. Today does not need to find our steps falling into their familiar pattern. We can turn to the Lord and make a fresh start. Even if we have felt we were going in the right general direction, we can make a new start; a fresh beginning with the Lord.
Our second lesson today is that we must really examine our attitudes toward our brothers and sisters in faith. We must, like our Savior, look at each person with profound respect. We do so because without them, we are incomplete. Without the other members of the body, the body is maimed. Paul is so right as later in the same body of work he tells us that the greatest crime we can commit in the sight of God is dividing the Body of Christ. We cannot afford to be anything but humble in the face of so great a charge.
Today let us rejoice in the Lord because he gives us a fresh start. We can be free from all encumbrances as we start this day. We pray it is one free from old prejudices and filled with awe and respect for our brothers and sisters who are part of the same body, the living body of Christ.
Pax
Readings for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Commentary:
Reading 1 Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
We delve into the Book of the Prophet Nehemiah and since this is a book we do not hear much from perhaps a little explanation is useful, especially since today Nehemiah’s reading deals with Ezra, who’s Book precedes Nehemiah in the current canon of the Bible.
Both prophets were active at the time of the Restoration. That is the time following the Babylonian exile during which the Jewish people were returned to their historical geography and the nation of Israel was reestablished.
In the reading today, we hear Ezra, who of the two was more responsible for reintroducing the Law as the constitution of the reformed state, proclaiming the Law. Now comes Nehemiah, the Administrator telling the people who were overcome with emotion at hearing God’s word once more, explaining that it is a time for rejoicing because they are once more united under God’s Law.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Psalm 19 captures the joy of the people we hear in the reading from Nehemiah. It is a song that rejoices in the Law of the Lord and happily embraces it because of its saving power.
Reading II 1 Cor 12:12-30
Today we are given the great Pauline analogy of the Body as Church. He goes first into detail enumerating the parts of the body and distinguishing their functions. He then proposes that the body needs the diversity of parts and could not function effectively without all of them.
Paul then goes through the same process with functions within the Church, again enumerating the functions; “first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues.” His message is clear, the Church needs all of these functions and even though some get more attention, all are prized.
Gospel Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21
The Gospel selection today is actually two different passages from Luke’s Gospel. Probably because last week we were given the story of the Wedding at Cana from John’s Gospel as sort of a wrap up to Epiphany, this week we start with the introduction to Luke’s Gospel as he writes of his purpose to Theophilus.
We then pick up the story of Jesus following his baptism and temptation in the desert. These will be dealt with in more detail during the Lenten Season. Luke’s Gospel refers in a summary way to the works we have been hearing about in Mark’s Gospel during the week.
Jesus comes to the Synagogue and reads from Isaiah (Isa 61; 1-3). The passage refers to the coming of the Messiah and the mission of the Son of God to the poor and marginalized. He then tells those listening; "Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." This is our true beginning of Ordinary Time as revelation is complete.
Reflection:
The focus of our scripture today flows like the beginning of a journey. We are first given the story of the restoration of the Law to the Hebrews in the story from Nehemiah. We are told how, upon hearing Ezra read and explain the Torah, the people wept. After their long exile in Babylon, God’s presence, his guiding force was once more upon them. Then Nehemiah tells them that this is indeed a time for rejoicing. This same sentiment is reflected in the Psalm as we hear; “Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life”.
Unifying Ezra the scribe and Nehemiah the Leader of the People, we have St. Paul’s analogy that says all parts of the body are needed if the risen body of Christ, which is the Church, is to operate properly. His statements remind us that we are united in Him and like the ancient Hebrews we are moved with joy at our own unity.
Finally, in the Gospel we hear how Christ returns from his own exile in the desert. Like Ezra, he opens God’s word to the people, proclaiming God’s will with authority. Unlike Ezra, the Lord actually proclaims his own coming. With that we close the book for today. We can only imagine the impact of those words on his contemporaries in the Synagogue.
What should we take away from the events that unfold in scripture? First, and we need this reminder often, we can know that today can be the first day of our journey of faith. Today does not need to find our steps falling into their familiar pattern. We can turn to the Lord and make a fresh start. Even if we have felt we were going in the right general direction, we can make a new start; a fresh beginning with the Lord.
Our second lesson today is that we must really examine our attitudes toward our brothers and sisters in faith. We must, like our Savior, look at each person with profound respect. We do so because without them, we are incomplete. Without the other members of the body, the body is maimed. Paul is so right as later in the same body of work he tells us that the greatest crime we can commit in the sight of God is dividing the Body of Christ. We cannot afford to be anything but humble in the face of so great a charge.
Today let us rejoice in the Lord because he gives us a fresh start. We can be free from all encumbrances as we start this day. We pray it is one free from old prejudices and filled with awe and respect for our brothers and sisters who are part of the same body, the living body of Christ.
Pax
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