2022-Jan-23: Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

 2022-Jan-23: Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Nehemiah 8:2-10 

On this 1st day of the 7th month, (which was the Feast of Trumpets/Tabernacles), they assembled together to hear the public reading of the Law, that was required by the law to be made every seventh year; but during the long period of the captivity this practice, with many others, had fallen into neglect, until it is again revived on this occasion. While sacrifices were restricted to the Temple, the reading of Scripture and its explanation could be done anywhere. 
Ezra, the priest was responsible for rebuilding the Temple, and Nehemiah, as Governor continued Ezra's work. The people heard Ezra reading selected passages from morning to noon, people stood up in attention and respect like when we read the Gospel today. They wept because they understood their behaviour violated many of the laws of God, but Jewish practice forbade them from crying on a day of rejoicing.

Psalm 19 

C.S. Lewis called Psalm 19 “the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.” It's intent is to teach us the rich way in which creation and law, nature and word, complement each other
Book I: Focus on creation: Praise for God (Psalm 19:1-6)
Book II: Focus on the laws: what the scriptures teach humanity (Psalm 19:7-10)
Book III: Focus on the servant: A prayer to God (Psalm 19:11-14)

1 Corinthians 12 

Today's reading continue St Paul’s development of a body metaphor to illustrate the proper relationships among members of the Corinthian congregation around 50 AD. St Paul’s meaning is clear: all members of the Corinthian congregation are equally necessary for the full flourishing of the body. This means that highlighting certain members (to the detriment of others) is problematic for the whole body.  “You [collectivily] are the body of Christ.” 

Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21

Luke acknowledges that Gospels of Mark and Matthew already detailed the good news. 
Most excellent Theophilus: By his title (most excellent), we gather that Theophilus was probably a Roman government official who already had received some instructions in the faith.
Some scholars believe that the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles make up Paul’s defence brief for his trial before Caesar, since Acts ends with Paul waiting for that trial.

The Holy Spirit is a major actor in Luke’s Gospel and in its sequel, the Acts of the Apostles. The Holy Spirit speaks through many characters, such as Mary (Luke 1:35, 46-55), Elizabeth (1:41-45), Zechariah (1:67-79), Simeon (2:25-32), and John (3:1-18).
Jesus, too is filled with, and guided by, the Spirit. The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus at his baptism (3:22) then leads him into the wilderness where he is tempted by the devil for 40 days and nights (4:1-2). Filled with the power of the Spirit, Jesus returns preaches in Galilee to begin his public ministry (4:14) not with a miracle but with a sermon. 
Enlightened by the Holy Spirit after the temptation in the desert, the home-boy Jesus returns to the Nazareth, reads in the Synagogue and boldly claims that today the words of Isaiah 58:6 and 61:1-2 have come true in his own person. Then he sits down to explain his manifesto. Luke's Gospel has a major role in the season of the Epiphany because it reveals about who Jesus is, what Jesus will do, and for whom Jesus has come.  But not everyone is happy - for the poor to be emancipated, the non-poor have to lose some of their privileges. Just as Simeon pointed out in Luke 2:35, Jesus is set for the falling and rising of many. Initially the people are filled with amazement and approval (4:22) but that soon turns to rage and even murderous intent (4:28-29)
Scholars are unclear if this teaching happened on a Jubilee year, since that was no longer practiced  - once every 50 years during the time of Jesus when in keeping with Leviticus 25:10, the land was to lay fallow, all debts forgiven, and all slaves freed.

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