January 23, 2022

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time – C

The Word Calls Us to Action

Deacon Kevin O’Boyle

Good evening/Morning:

At first glance today, our readings seem rather diverse- Old Testament priests reading scripture to the people, Paul writing to the people of Corinth, and Jesus speaking to the people of his hometown. But these readings have a common theme- they each in their own time are wake up calls to the people who are hearing them, and each challenge their listeners to action.

In the first reading we meet Ezra, reading from the Book of Law – what we would call the first five books of the Old Testament. The people he is reading to have just returned to Jerusalem from exile. They are hearing for the first time – or the first time in a long while the standards God expects them to live up to. They are actually saddened because they realize how far off the mark they have come to meeting God’s standards, but Ezra tells them not to weep-to instead be joyful. He tells them that the day is holy to the Lord, and they should not be saddened. He tells them to go eat and celebrate. 

In the Second Reading Paul is talking to the people of Corinth he knows well. He instructs them that they are all part of the Body of Christ and explains how each of them have a role to play. The fact that they are different, does not make them more or less important than another part. because each is vital for the role they play. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer. 

In our Gospel reading today we first hear the opening introduction Luke provides to his Gospel. He indicates he is doing what others have done. He says he is doing it, “so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.”  We then move to a scene early in Christ’s public ministry. He is in a synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth. He stands to read scripture and selects a scroll from Isaiah. The passage he reads describes the Messiah. When he gives his very brief reflection on the passage, He simply says, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing..”  While our reading ends in these words, the Gospel continues the story. The people originally reacted favorably to these words. They asked him to perform some of the miracles they had heard about that he had done in other places. But Jesus said, “No prophet is accepted in his own native place.”  The people became furious and moved to throw him out of town. 

In reflection, Jesus revealed plainly who He was in this incident. This helps us to understand he was the Messiah.

In each of these readings, the author presents basic elements of our faith. They are evidence of how important it is for us to be a people of the Book – that is to read and know sacred scripture. Further, we are called to live the Gospel message and to spread Christ’s love and peace. To some, this may be scary. Perhaps in childhood you were discouraged from reading scripture.  Today, all the faithful are called to know the Bible. There are many tools to do this. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has a wonderful website that provides the mass readings for every day of the year. There is also an online version of the bible complete with historical and other notes on each book of the Bible. You can even have the days readings sent daily to your inbox.

There are a variety of study bibles. The Catholic Study Bible contains detailed notes throughout the bible, from a Catholic standpoint. It is important that you pick an instrument that reflects Catholic opinion. 

You need go no further than understanding the liturgy that is celebrated each day. Much of the mass comes directly from the bible.

The important thing is that you begin becoming more familiar with scripture. As it did for the hearers in all three of our readings today, Scripture will call us to action again. 

Briefly there are two areas of action I would recommend to you today. Yesterday (today) is the 49^th anniversary of the terrible Roe v Wade Supreme Court Decision that legalized abortion throughout the United States. There are many Right to Life groups (including one right here in our parish) that could use your help. There is a special meeting this Wednesday evening at St Gregory’s that could bring you up to date on the struggle.  

The second area is that of the serious attacks on Religious Freedom in our country. I just heard this weekend about a new National Committee for Religious Freedom (The NCFR.org). I encourage you to follow this new group. Look them up. Join their email list. Take their pledge to defend religious freedom. There are countless other areas where you could take your scripture fired call to action. The important thing is to read and learn to love scripture God’s word. Then take the fire that that knowledge sparks and make a difference in our community, country, and world.  That’s something to think about today.

God Bless

Reference:

The National Committee for Religious Freedom (The NCRF.org)

I Pledge to defend religious freedom for all Americans and all of American’s religious communities, a freedom protected in our Constitution’s First Amendment guarantee of the inalienable right of religious free exercise. I will condemn any discrimination, bigotry, or violence against any religion that is practiced in the United States of America.