Catechism Links[1]
CCC 714: Old Testament expectation of the Messiah and the Spirit
CCC 1965-1974: new Law and Gospel
CCC 106, 108, 515: God inspires human authors of Scripture, and readers
CCC 787-795: the Church as the Body of Christ
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| “Jesus Teaching in the Synagogue” by James Tissot, 1886-96 |
Commentary:
Reading I: Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
Commentary on Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
This selection deals with Ezra, whose 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 land and the nation of Israel was reestablished.
In this passage 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.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15
R. (John 6:63c) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Commentary on Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15
Psalm 19 is a song of praise. It rejoices in the laws and precepts set down by God and asks the Lord to find favor in those who follow them. This part of Psalm 19 is a formula profession of faith. It begins with the Law of God, then the rules based upon the Law, and finally on faith in God. Essentially this litany says if you follow God’s law in all its fullness salvation is yours.
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Reading II
First Option: 1 Corinthians 12:12-30
Commentary on 1 Cor 12:12-30
In this selection we are given the great Pauline analogy of the body as church. First, he goes 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.
St. 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.
CCC: 1 Cor 12:13 694, 790, 798, 1227, 1267, 1396; 1 Cor 12:26-27 953; 1 Cor 12:26 1469; 1 Cor 12:27 1265; 1 Cor 12:28 1508; 1 Cor 12:30 1508
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OR
Shorter Form
Commentary on 1 Cor 12:12-14, 27
This passage is a short summary of St. Paul’s teaching on unity of purpose of the members in the Church. He points out that in baptism we are all adopted into the same family, becoming the Body of Christ. While each has a separate purpose and ability, all are one in Christ.
CCC: 1 Cor 12:13 694, 790, 798, 1227, 1267, 1396; 1 Cor 12:26-27 953; 1 Cor 12:26-27 953; 1 Cor 12:27 1265
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Gospel: Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21
Commentary on Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21
The Gospel selection today is actually two different passages from Luke’s Gospel. In this passage 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 Jesus’ early ministry in Galilee (the works we have been hearing about in Mark’s Gospel during the week.)
Jesus comes to the Synagogue and reads from Isaiah (Isaiah 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." The Gospel tells us that Jesus fulfills Isaiah’s prophetic vision of the coming Messiah.
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Reflection:
Have you ever considered for a moment how utterly alone those who do not believe in God must feel. Yes, while they are young and vital they can ignore the huge gulf of emptiness that surrounds their spirits. They are empty because they do not perceive what is there. Like a person who is color blind, they cannot feel the loving presence that is God who wants only their happiness and love. It is when they see the lonely path they have traveled coming to an end that most call out in despair for a face or a hand they have rejected.
While some of these atheistic people are in that situation because they have never been told that God exists (if you want a test some time, try evangelizing a young person from mainland China where atheism is the norm), others have found faith elusive and as a result have rejected God, sometimes in a benign way and sometimes violently.
Our Father has tried through the years to reach out to these self-excommunicated individuals in various ways. He invites all people to look at and marvel at his creation in all its richness and diversity. He has inspired some of those who were able to perceive his will over the ages to codify and record what God has revealed to them. This written record of God’s presence and intent has become for us a principal means by which we come to know God and his will for us.
The prophet Nehemiah was one of these special persons whom God selected to call his children to faith and happiness. Part of his story was presented as the first scripture passage, and in it we find him calling all who can understand to feel the love God has for them and the love God asks in return.
St. Paul, the great evangelist and another one chosen by God to reveal his will to us, recognizes the unifying effect that the love of God in Christ must have on those who understand that God is alive and active with his people. He sees the marvelous diversity of the gifts God bestowed on his people and sees how those gifts may cooperate, forming the living body of Christ on earth.
And finally, in St. Luke’s Gospel, revelation is presented in a way that pulls all of God’s historical revelatory efforts to its climax, as Christ announces that He has come to fulfill what the sacred authors have long predicted, that God would come among them and show himself to them in a real way.
We marvel at God’s love for us, that he would so persistently work for our salvation and happiness. He asks that we, who have been graced with understanding and wisdom, do not hide that understanding, keeping it as a personal treasure. Rather he asks that we share it freely with those who have not yet been able to accept the love of God or the reality of his gift to us.
Pax
In other years on this date: Memorial of Saint Francis De Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
[1] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, Published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014
[3] The picture is “Jesus Teaching in the Synagogue” by James Tissot, 1886-96
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