The liturgy of the 24th Sunday of Common Time tells us that the path to full realization of man is through obedience to God and the projects of total gift of life to the brothers. Contrary to what the world thinks, that path does not lead to failure, but true to life, the full realization of man.
The first reading gives us an anonymous prophet called by God to witness the Word of salvation and to accomplish this task, facing persecution, torture, death. However, the prophet is aware that his life was not a failure: you trust in the Lord and seeks to live in fidelity to its text, triumph over persecution and death. The first Christians saw in this “servant of Jahwéh” the figure of Jesus.
In the Gospel, Jesus is presented as a liberating Messiah, sent by the Father to the world to give men the path of salvation and full life. Delivering the plan of the Father, Jesus showed the disciples that the true path of life is not for human triumphs and successes, but by love and the gift of life (until death, if necessary). Jesus will walk this path and who want to be your disciple, you must accept walk a similar path.
The second reading reminds believers that the following of Jesus is not achieved with fine words and theories with very well developed, but with concrete gestures of love, sharing, service, solidarity to the brothers.
The liturgy of this Sunday at the heart of our reflection on the Word of God: it is truly the center around which to build the Christian experience. This word is not an abstract doctrine, to delight of intellectuals, but is primarily a liberator notice that God speaks to all men and which embodies in Jesus and the Christians.
At first reading, as it exemplifies the word that should be in the center of community life and how she once proclaimed, it creates joy and celebration.
In the Gospel, is Christ as the Word which is in the person of men, to lead to liberation and hope to victims of oppression, of suffering and misery. It is suggested also that the community of Jesus is a community that announces to the world that liberating word.
The second reading presents a community generated and fed by the liberating word of God is a family of siblings, where the gifts of God are broken down and made to serve the common good, a true communion and solidarity.
READING I - 8.2-Ne 4th .5-6.8-10
Reading the Book of Nehemiah
In those days,
Ezra the priest brought the Book of Law
before the meeting of men and women
and all who were able to understand.
It was the first day of the seventh month.
From dawn until noon,
was reading the book,
located off the front of the Water Gate,
before men and women
and all who were able to understand.
All the people listened attentively reading the Book of Law
The scribe Ezra was standing
a tradition of wood done on purpose.
And thus in the more than all the people,
Ezra opened the book for all to see;
and when opened, all were raised.
So Ezra Bendez the Lord, the great God,
and all responded, raising his hands:
‘Amen! Amen ‘.
And prostrating themselves face of earth, worship the Lord.
The Levites read, clearly and distinctly, the Book of the Law of God
and explained its meaning,
so that they could understand the reading.
Then Nehemiah the governor,
the priest and scribe Ezra,
and the Levites that taught the people,
said the whole nation:
“Today is a day devoted to the Lord your God.
Do not you saddened or cried.
- Because all the people cried, listening to the words of the Act -.
Then Nehemiah said:
‘Go to your homes,
Eat a good meal, take sweet drinks
and to distribute to those who have nothing prepared.
Today is a day devoted to our Lord;
therefore not sadden you,
because the joy of the Lord is your strength. ”
ENVIRONMENT
The Book of Nehemiah (with that of Ezra with which they initially formed a unit) belongs to the period following the return of exiled Jews of Babylon.
We centuries V / IV BC, for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, is also a time of misery and desolation in the city without walls, without doors, a dark shadow of the city which was beautiful. Nehemiah, a high official of King Artaxerxes, saddened by the news received in Jerusalem, the king obtained permission to settle in the Jewish capital. Nehemiah will start its activities with the reconstruction of the wall (see Ne 3-4) and the fight against injustices committed by the rich against the poor (cf. Ne 5). Then, seeking to restore the cult (cf. Ne 8-9).
It is in this context of concern with the restoration of worship that we can locate the part that has been proposed: Nehemiah brings together the people “in the square that is before the Water Gate” to hear the reading of the Act It is remind the people the fundamental commitment that Israel made with his God, just so you can prepare for this new future dreams that Nehemiah to Jerusalem and to the People of God.
MESSAGE
The fundamental question suggested by the text has to do with the importance that the Word of God must take the life of a community. All the details along these lines.
First, the author of the text emphasizes the convening of the entire community to listen to the words: men, women and children at “understand.” The Word of God is addressed to everyone without exception to all concerns and questions.
Secondly, look into the issue of preparations: there is a wooden platform made of purpose that puts the player in the top, then the Book of Law opens in a solemn and all are raised in an attitude of respect and veneration … the word is an example of a community where the Word of God is the center and where everything fits together in terms of the special place that occupies the Word in community life.
Thirdly, we have the description of the rite: the word is hailed by the assembly, then the Levites read clearly and distinctly, finally, explain to the people of the Word, so accessible, “so that they could understand the reading.” We have a real manual and should be a real celebration of the Word. ”
Fourthly, the response of the people: faced with the word, cry. The attitude of people is indeed a community that leaves the question word, which compares her life with the Word proclaimed and to feel as a result, the urgency of conversion. The word is effective and leads to transformation of life.
Finally, everything ends in a great feast: the day “devoted to the Lord” is a day of joy and celebration for the community that fed the Word.
UPDATE
Consider, on reflection, the following issues:
• What place is the Word of God in the life of each of us and the life of our communities? The Word is the center around which everything fit in? We found space to read, to reflect, to share the Word?
• Those who are entrusted with the task of proclaiming the Word: preparing the environment properly? Proclaim the word clearly and distinctly? Reflect the words and explain it so accessible, so that it touches the House to listen? Have the desire to adapt it to life?
• In our community meetings, the word is received with veneration and respect, and capitalize on the moment when it is proclaimed to velinhas light of our devotion to the saint, to pray the Rosary or “monitor” who is on our side?
• The Word concerns us, leads us to conversion, the change of life, or just the word to others ( “big message that the priest is to have the owner …”)?
SALM RESPONSORIAL - Psalm 18 B (19)
Chorus: Your words, Lord, are spirit and life.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
she reconforta the soul;
Lord of the orders are firm,
give wisdom to the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are straight
and rejoice the heart;
the commandments of the Lord are clear
and light eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure
and remains forever;
the judgments of the Lord are true,
they are all straight.
READING II - 1 Cor 12,12-30
Epístola First Reading of the Apostle to the Corinthians Sao Paulo
Siblings:
As the body is one and has many members,
and all members of the body, although numerous,
are one body,
this happens also in Christ.
Indeed, we
- Jews and Greeks, slaves and free men –
were baptized in one Spirit.
In fact, the body is not composed of one member,
but by many.
If the foot says:
“Since I am not hand, do not belong to the body ‘
would not really be part of the body.
And if the ear says:
“Since I am not look, do not belong to the body ‘
would not really be part of the body.
If the whole body is eye, where would the hearing?
If it were all ear, where would the smell?
But God had the body of each member,
according to their will.
If it were all one member, who would be in the body?
Therefore, many members but one body.
The eye can not say to the hand: “Do not need you ‘;
Not to say head to feet: “Do not need you ‘.
Rather, members of the body that seem weaker
are most needed;
the less we seem honorable
cuidamo them with more consideration;
our members and the less seemly
are treated with more decency:
those who do not need are more suitable for such care.
God arranged the body,
dispensing more consideration to what it needs,
to avoid division in the body
and members have the same care with each other.
Thus, if one member suffers,
all the members suffer with it;
if one member is honored,
all the members rejoice with it.
You are body of Christ and its members,
each for their part.
Therefore, God established the Church
first apostles,
secondly prophets, thirdly doctors.
Below are the gifts of miracles, of healing, assistance,
of government, to speak several languages.
Are all apostles? All prophets? All doctors?
All make miracles? All have the power to heal?
Speak all languages? All have the gift to interpret?
ENVIRONMENT
The second reading is the result of which we read last Sunday. Paul is concerned because, in the Church of Corinth, the “charisma” (gifts of God for the benefit of the whole community), for the benefit of its own, generating individualism, division, power struggle, the contempt that apparently did not have special gifts. It is an intolerable situation: what should benefit all is usurped by some and it is undermining the unity and communion of this church.
MESSAGE
To make clearer the message, Paul uses a well known comparison in Greco-Roman world (which is used to speak of obligations Community): a tale of the body and its members.
Paul compares the Christian community to a body. This body is constituted by a plurality of diverse members, each with its task, that is, with his “charisma” peculiar. Not enough that the members are different: they must be varied, they are different: the richness of variety that allows the survival of the whole. Furthermore, members who need each other and who are concerned with each other. The fundamental unit should therefore go hand in hand with pluralism and charismatic with a concern for the common good.
However, the most interesting and most original (the story is not original) is the identification of body with Christ: the Christian community is the body of Christ (you are body of Christ and its members “- vers. 27). It is this identification with Christ the most questioning of … In this parable body has to express itself the total Christ. But can Christ be divided? Can the body of Christ identify with conflicts and rivalries? It is possible that the body of Christ gives the world a witness of selfishness, of individualism, of pride, self-sufficiency, of contempt for the poor and weak?
The body of Christ (the Church) is therefore a community of brothers who are of Christ and share the life that unites them, and a plurality of members with different functions, respect themselves, support themselves, some are supportive with others and love yourself. Keywords to define the web of relationships that connect this body of Christ are “solidarity,” “participation,” “co-responsibility.”
At the end of the text, Paul gives a kind of hierarchy of “charisma.” Obviously, the “charisms” presented first are those that relate to the Word, the announcement of Good News ( “apostles,” “prophets,” “doctors”). This means that the body of Christ is truly the community that was born of the Word and that feeds the Word: everything else goes into the background, before the word creative and vital to the community that God directs.
However, here too we can not forget what Paul said back: all members of the body play important roles in the balance and harmony of the whole and towards achieving the common good.
UPDATE
For reflection and sharing, consider the following:
• The church is the body of Christ which is manifested in the diversity of members and functions, unity, sharing, solidarity, love, that are inherent in the proposal that Christ has given us salvation. Our Christian community is, for us, a family of brothers, who live in communion, which is respect and that love, or is the field where they face the envy and petty and selfish interests?
• We use the “charisma” that God has entrusted to the service of brothers and growth of the body, or for our personal and social promotion?
• In this body, many members live in the inter-dependence. It is actually our solidarity with members of the community? The tragedies and sufferings, the joys and hopes of our brothers are felt by all members of that body?
• We are co-responsible in building the community of which we are members and play with a sense of responsibility, our role, or would refer us to a state of passivity and self-indulgence, hoping that the others do it?
ALLELUIA - Luke 4.18
Alleluia. Alleluia.
The Lord sent me to announce good news to the poor,
to proclaim the redemption of captives.
GOSPEL - Luke 1,1-4, 4,14-21
Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ the second St. Luke
Since many have undertaken narrate the facts
which took place between us,
as those who sent them from the beginning,
were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word,
I decided,
after you have carefully investigated everything from the origins,
write them for you, honorable Theophilus,
to have secure knowledge of what you were taught.
At that time,
Jesus returned to Galilee, with the power of the Spirit,
and his fame was spread throughout the region.
Taught in the synagogues and was praised by all.
Then the Nazareth, where he had created.
According to custom,
entered the synagogue on a Saturday
and get up to do the reading.
Handed him the book of the prophet Isaiah
and, opening the book,
found in the passage that was written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
He has anointed me
to announce good news to the poor.
He sent me to proclaim the redemption of captives
and the sight to the blind,
to restore freedom to the oppressed
and to proclaim the year of grace of the Lord. ”
Then roll the book, handed it to the helper and feel.
They fixed their eyes on Jesus throughout the synagogue.
Then began to say to them:
‘He did it today
this passage of Scripture we have just heard.
ENVIRONMENT
The Gospel today is composed of two different texts.
In the first (1,1-4), we have a literary prologue where Lucas, imitating the style of Greek writers of the time, presented his work: it is a careful investigation of the “facts that have taken place between us,” so that the believers of the Greek language (which the Gospel of Luke is addressed) find “the soundness of doctrine in which they were instructed.” We are in the 80’s when, already missing the “eye witnesses” of Christ, Christianity began to face a number of heresies and doctrinal deviations, which call into question the Christian identity. It was therefore necessary, remind the believers their roots and sound the doctrine received from Christ, through witness is legitimate that the tradition transmitted by the apostles.
In the second part (4,14-21), is the beginning of the preaching of Jesus, which Luke places at Nazareth. The scenery is the background of the cult sinagogal, on Saturday. The liturgical service was celebrated in the synagogue in prayer and reading of the Law and the Prophets, with their comments. The readers were instructed members of the community or in the case of Jesus, known by its visitors know the explanation of the Word of God. The center’s report is the text of the proclamation of a Tritos-Isaiah (cf. Is 61,1-2) that describes how the Messiah will implement its mission.
MESSAGE
The purpose of the work of Lucas is, as said, reminding believers of the Greek community of its roots and its reference to Jesus. This text specifically, Lucas will present the program that he intends to carry out in the middle of men, as a proposal for a release sent to all the oppressed.
The starting point is the reading of the text of Is 61,1-2. It shows that the anonymous prophet in Jerusalem, the exiles console as an “anointed of God”, which has the Spirit of God, his mission is to shout the “good news” that the release came to the heart and life of all prisoners of suffering, oppression, injustice, of discouragement, of fear. What is more significant, however, is to “upgrade” that Jesus made this prophecy: He presents himself as the “prophet” that God anointed with his Spirit, in order to achieve this mission liberating.
The project liberator of God in favor of men prisoners of selfishness, injustice and sin begins, therefore, to comply with the action of Jesus ( “met up today this passage of Scripture we have just heard” - version 21. ). Further, Lucas will describe the activity of Jesus in Galilee as the announcement (in words and gestures) in a “good news” directed preferentially to the poor and marginalized (the lepers, the sick, the publicans, women), advertising - that they reached the end of all slavery and the time of new life and freedom for all.
Lucas also announced, in the text program, the future path of the Church and the conditions for their fidelity to Christ. The Christian community takes awareness, through this text, that his mission is the same of Christ and is to take the “good news” of the release of poor, weak and marginalized of the world. Anointed by the Spirit to carry out this mission, the Church fulfills the following of Jesus.
UPDATE
On reflection, can be considered the following:
• The Gospel of Luke in the text and in particular, manifested in Jesus and the clear conscience that was invested and the Spirit of God sent to put an end to all that steals the life and dignity of man. Our civilization, and a twenty centuries to know Christ and the essence of its proposal. However, our world continues to expand and refine the oppressive chains. Why is the proposal of Jesus liberating not yet arrived at all? What situations today, around me, seem more dramatic and require immediate action (think of the situation of many immigrants from the east or the former colonies; think in the situation of many elderly, without love and without care, who survive on pensions of misery; think of street children and the homeless who sleep in the corners of our cities; think the situation of many families, destroyed by drugs and alcohol …)?
• The loyalty to the “path” traveled by Christ is the fundamental requirement of being Christian. Over the centuries, has been to defend the dignity of man the key concern of the Church of Jesus? We are concerned about the liberation of our enslaved brethren? What can I do, specifically, to continue them in the liberating mission of Christ?
• Notice of this text, as Jesus “update” the word of God proclaimed and makes an announcement of liberation that comes very close to the lives of men. We proclaim the Word, that explain the homilies, have this concern to make it a reality “respect” and an advertisement processor and truly liberating, that affects the lives of those we hear?
SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR THE 3rd SUNDAY OF COMMON TIME
(adapted from “Signes d’aujourd’hui)
1. A WORD Medit throughout the week.
Over the days of the week before the 3rd Sunday of Common Time, try meditating on the Word of God this Sunday. Medit it personally, one reading in each day, for example … Choose a day of the week for Meditation Community of the Word: a group of the parish, a group of priests, a group of ecclesial movements, in a religious community … Building, above, a full week to live in the Word of God.
2. Enhancing the place of the proclamation of the WORD.
In Sunday’s proclamation of the Word, seeking particularly to the place of the word has more visibility. This is the place where the first table if God gives to his people. Highlight the elevation of Evangeliário after the proclamation of the Gospel, and the House “with eyes fixed on Jesus.” This increase is linked to the elevation of the Body and Blood of Christ during doxologia which concludes the Eucharistic prayer.
3. PRAYER IN lectio divina.
In the meditation of the Word of God (lectio divina), one can extend the host of the readings with prayer.
At the end of the first reading:
“Father God, which sails on your nation for many generations, with the scribe Ezra and his community we confess: the joy of the Lord is our protection. Blessed be Thou forever.
We recommend you all our brothers and sisters in faith who work to know, understand and love the Word in the Holy Scriptures. ”
At the end of the second reading:
“Father, we give you thanks for the body of Christ, which in incorporated by baptism and confirmation, so we are living members of that body.
We ask you for the apostles, the prophets, the catechists and all those missions in the church. Saves us all in unity. ”
At the end of the Gospel:
“Christ Jesus, our master and our brother, blessed be You, because fulfilled the words of the prophets. We acknowledge Thee in the presence of the Spirit in all its fullness. You are for us the liberating, light and sovereign benefactor.
We ask you for your church: it brings the good news, she announces the release of evil and reveals the light of the world. ”
4. TICKET OF GOSPEL.
Lucas can not save for themselves what the “eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word” sent you. Then decides to write his friend Theophilus “for which he has knowledge of the insurance he has taught. After Teófilo and its Christian community, we are invited by Lucas and the other three evangelists believe in the word, that word that many have signed with their blood. It is not, which asks Jesus of Nazareth to his compatriots: believe in the Word? In his homily, Jesus says to be held today from yesterday the word of the prophet Isaiah. He announced the Good News to the poor and makes the save. Then understand why the people of Nazareth had his eyes fixed in Him, saw that He spoke as a man who has authority. Not only their words were “good news” but He was the long awaited good news. Since Lucas, from Theophilus, as messengers of good news because no one has set, if the message of Christ is a very good news, is to be announced!
5. LISTEN TO THE WORD.
At the time of Jesus, there are hundreds of years that the Jews read the book of the prophet Isaiah, which Jesus quotes a passage: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me … sent me to bring the Good News to the poor …” But in each year was always the same: nothing changed! And behold, Jesus suddenly announces that meets today’s word, in Him. How could that be? He was not the son of the carpenter? With Jesus, the Good News announced by John Baptist is not just a promise. It is a strength and a light that changes his life now. But to us who read this word for so long, it seems that is always the same thing: nothing changes! The religion has not become the “opium of the people” to the poor sleep? It would be the case if Jesus had not risen, always alive, literally our contemporary. Tell us where in this to say that today the Spirit of the Lord given to us is that our way of concrete action to change, so it takes a more evangelical color. It is for us that Jesus acts to fulfill the divine promise. Give us your Spirit so that our hearts are free of their egos, so that others do not feel bad in our hearts, so that the poor get the support of our help and our share, to blind the light of our friendship, that today is a day of happiness for them and those that find. It is the mission of Christians: that body to take the Good News in our lives, so that the Word of God is alive today!
6. EUCHARISTIC PRAYER.
The Eucharistic Prayer III in its epicleses, lies in the tone of the readings. You can also choose the Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation I, because we are celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
7. WORD FOR THE WAY …
• At the end of the celebration, “eat” the words of the psalmist really? In the Word of God Sunday, before resuming the path to our homes, even listen to the psalmist sings that God speaks to his people: “The law of the Lord is perfect, it reconforta the soul, the Lord’s orders are firm, give wisdom to the simple. The precepts of the Lord are straight and cheers the heart, the Lord’s commandments are clear and light eyes. The word we received word that one is happy and light. It is a song, a lamp. It accompanies us in every moment throughout the week …
• Discover the other … this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Throughout this week, aside time to better the other, which is different from me in faith: reading an article in the press, listen to a conference, listening to a radio program, participate in a meeting organized locally, finally, seek to make the effort to find the faith and thought of a Christian confession of another.
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