Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 69 (NAB Translation)
Sunday Says
Reading 1
Nehemiah 8:2-4A, 5-6, 8-10
This week’s first reading from the prophet Nehemiah focuses on the celebration of the Lord’s day. At this time, the Hebrews has recently returned to Jerusalem from the many years in exile and were in the process of rebuilding. They had felt so lost and then worked so hard to make Jerusalem their home again, that they had even forgotten the voice of the Lord written in the Law. It moved the whole community so much that they were brought to tears to remember that the Lord was still speaking to them.
Sometimes when we hear the readings, it’s easy to daydream or not listen attentively to the readings, but Nehemiah reminds us that the word of the Lord is in the readings. We need to do all we can to listen.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15
- (cf John 6:63c) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Reading 2
1 Corinthians 12:12-30
This week’s second reading is a long excerpt from the letter to the Corinthians and continues the theme left off from last week’s second reading. Last week we heard about the way the Holy Spirit gives us all assigned charisms, and this week St Paul takes it up a level when he describes them all as one body. In a world with so much polarization, it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of unity. We all need to work and serve each other as the Lord is calling us to, but we are only able to do that if we listen to what the Holy Spirit is calling us to do.
Alleluia CF. LK 4:18
- Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, and to proclaim liberty to captives.
Gospel
Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21
This week’s Gospel is from the prologue of St Luke, and it’s full of some rich language. He begins with the reasons why he is sharing his account, and stresses the importance of these events being witnessed. He uses a phrase “so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.” St Luke wants us to know that we should listen to his account and know that there is no doubt that Jesus is the Lord and what He has done for all mankind.
The Gospel then skips to chapter 4 when Jesus reads from the Prophet Isaiah and admits that He is the savior that had been foretold. Whenever we hear the proclamation of the Word, we should know with certainty that the Lord is speaking to us, and He wants us to hear what it is He has to say. Although, we have the option to ignore Him. Are you listening?
Gospel meditation from Bishop Vásquez
Reflection question
The Jewish people had just returned to Jerusalem after 70 years. Ezra read the Law (the first five books of the Bible) to the people and the Levites interpreted God’s word to them. More than an interpretation, Jesus is God’s Word incarnate. Are we moved to praise God when we hear God’s Word? Do we recognize our encounter with Jesus Christ in the proclaimed Word, or are we distantly reading along? As a member of Christ’s body, how do people encounter God through me?
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