Saturday, January 26, 2013

 

3RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - C

JANUARY 27, 2013
3RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - C

Ne 8:2-4,5-6,8-10 / Ps 19: 8. 9. 10. 15 / 1 Cor 12:12-30 / Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21

NEHEMIAH 8:2-4,5-6,8-10
Ezra brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all the children who could understand what was being read. It was the first day of the seventh month. Ezra read the book before all of them from early morning until midday in the square facing the Water Gate; and all who heard were attentive to the Book of the Law. Ezra, the teacher of the Law, stood on a wooden platform built for that occasion and to his right were Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and to his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hasbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam. Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was in a higher place; and when he opened it, all the people stood. Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great God; and all the people lifted up their hands and answered, "Amen! Amen!" And they bowed their heads to the ground. They read from the Book of the Law of God, clarifying and interpreting the meaning, so that everyone might understand what they were hearing. Then Ezra, the teacher of the Law, said to the people, "This day is dedicated to Yahweh, your God, so do not be sad or weep." He said this because all wept when they heard the reading of the Law. Then he said to them, "Go and eat rich foods, drink sweet wine and share with him who has nothing prepared. This day is dedicated to the Lord, so do not be sad. The joy of Yahweh is our strength."

1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-30
As the body is one, having many members, and all the members, while being many, form one body, so it is with Christ. All of us, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, have been baptized in one Spirit to form one body and all of us have been given to drink from the one Spirit. The body has not just one member, but many. If the foot should say, "I do not belong to the body for I am not a hand," it would be wrong: it is part of the body! Even though the ear says, I do not belong to the body for I am not an eye, it is part of the body. If all the body were eye, how would we hear? And if all the body were ear, how would we smell? God has arranged all the members, placing each part of the body as he pleased. If all were the same part where would the body be? But there are many members and one body. The eye cannot tell the hand, "I do not need you," nor the head tell the feet, "I do not need you." Still more, the parts of our body that we most need are those that seem to be the weakest; the parts that we consider lower are treated with much care, and we cover them with more modesty because they are less presentable, whereas the others do not need such attention. God himself arranged the body in this way, giving more honor to those parts that need it, so that the body may not be divided, but rather each member may care for the others. When one suffers, all of them suffer, and when one receives honor, all rejoice together. Now, you are the body of Christ and each of you individually is a member of it. So God has appointed us in the Church. First apostles, second prophets, third teachers. Then come miracles, then the gift of healing, material help, administration in the Church and the gift of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Can all perform miracles, 30 or cure the sick, or speak in tongues, or explain what was said in tongues?

LUKE 1:1-4; 4:14-21
Several people have set themselves to relate the events that have taken place among us, as they were told by the first witnesses who later became ministers of the Word. After I myself had carefully gone over the whole story from the beginning, it seemed right for me to give you, Theophilus, an orderly account, so that your Excellency may know the truth of all you have been taught. He will bring joy and gladness to you, and many will rejoice at his birth. This son of yours will be great in the eyes of the Lord. Listen: he shall never drink wine or strong drink, but he will be filled with holy spirit even from his mother's womb. Through him, many of the people of Israel will turn to the Lord their God. He himself will open the way to the Lord with the spirit and power of the prophet Elijah; he will reconcile fathers and children, and lead the disobedient to wisdom and righteousness, in order to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I believe this? I am an old man and my wife is elderly, too." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, who stands before God, and I am the one sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news! My words will come true in their time. But you would not believe, and now you will be silent and unable to speak until this has happened." Meanwhile, the people waited for Zechariah, and they were surprised that he delayed so long in the sanctuary.

REFLECTION
In the Book of Nehemiah, Ezra opened and read the book of the law of Moses to the people, interpreting it plainly so that all could understand what was read. In the first reading, Jesus in the beginning of his ministry, went to the synagogue and was handed the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and read it where it says, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me and therefore He has anointed me." He rolled up the scroll and gave it back and sat down. And then he said to the people, "Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." The Prophet Isaiah was referring to the Messiah who was to come – the Suffering Servant. Although the people were amazed at this new teaching, there were some who doubted Jesus because he was the son of Joseph the carpenter.

The Messiah who was to come, whom the Jews were waiting for, was somebody who was supposed to be mighty and powerful to bring deliverance to the people. But Jesus Christ was the exact opposite of the one they were expecting. Jesus Christ was meek and humble. How could he save them?

We know from experience that when we need someone to save us from a big problem, we always turn to a person who is powerful. We tend to hire the services of a famous lawyer or firm. Or, we try to seek an audience with a senator or congressman. We seek the help of a rich businessman with connections in the government. We do this so that we can be saved from our dilemma. But Jesus Christ is different; he is not loud, arrogant nor proud. He does his work in a very quiet and unassuming way. Why go to him? But, it is in this quiet and unassuming way that Jesus became popular and feared during his time. He was wise and had a ready answer to all their questions. He always challenged them till they could not argue anymore. Jesus came to give glad tidings to the poor, liberty to the captives, and sight to the blind. He made the lame walk, and raised the dead to life. He did not do these by flicking or snapping his fingers. He labored for years to open the eyes and the minds of the people. He told them about the Father and His love for them. He guided and taught his disciples day in and day out, showing them how to love, how to be compassionate.

Today we continue to do the work of the apostles of Jesus. We are tasked to spread the good news of Jesus. We still have to evangelize other people. We still have to convince our fellow Catholics to be more faithful in going to church, to pray for the salvation of many, and to be caring to those who are in need. We still need to remind the people that Jesus died on the cross because he loves us.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Lydia and Judo Pe
- Nick Lucena
- Mon Torres
- Fleur Torres
- Ditas dela Paz
- Andy Lecaros
- Virginia Hernandez
- Paz
… for the personal intentions of Jennette
… for the eternal repose of the soul of
- Mrs. Fely M. Posadas
Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Rechiel C. Garcia
- Birthday: Glorie T. Ko
- In Memoriam (+): Caridad B Yang
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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