Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

January 27, 2019

Readings:

First Reading: Nehemiah 8: 2-4a, 5-6, 8-10

Psalm: 19

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 12-14, 27 (or 12: 12-30)

Gospel reading according to Luke 1: 1-4; 4: 14-21

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Homily:

Giving an introduction to his gospel, Luke was writing to his friend and benefactor, Theophilus, to announce to him about his own knowledge and experience, and interpretation regarding Jesus, as compare to many written information of different authors who wrote about Jesus.  He was saying to Theophilus, which means “lover of God,” whom he learned from that many versions on the life, ministry, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.  Some books that Theophilus read did not give exact story of Jesus.  To give accurate story about Jesus, Luke too also wrote in an orderly sequence and manner to avoid confusion.  “Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received” (Lk. 1: 1-4).  Luke presented his gospel or good news about Jesus in a chronological and orderly sequence/arrangement, to give exact information to his benefactor whose name happened to be a lover of God.  He dedicated his gospel to Theophilus who supported him financially, spiritually and physically in his writing on the life, passion and death, and the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. 

Luke told Theophilus about the coming back of Jesus to Galilee with Holy Spirit he received after the baptism of John in the River Jordan and after his stay in the wilderness for forty days and night tempted by Satan.  “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region” (Lk. 4: 14).  People throughout the region learned his return for he became known in the north for he preached the good news, healed many diseases and sicknesses, performed miracles, and liberating the minds and hearts of parents and children.  He became popular and famous, that’s why even his own people/countrymen and women were interested to see Jesus and to see also what he had done in the region of Judea.

Very often he went to the synagogue and when he was given a chance to read the scripture he preached and explained to the Galileans the scripture he read and they heard. “He taught in their synagogue and was praised by all” (Lk. 4: 15).  After reading and explaining the meaning of the scripture he read, those who have heard what he preached they were amazed the manner he taught and the explanation he gave from the reading; they also praised him after listening to him for they understood him.  Jesus’ voice has a power of command and very convincing.  He knew what he was saying and preaching.  He also used words that even ordinary people can understand as compared with the priests, Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes, and even the leaders in the Temple in Jerusalem.

Jesus whose parents and/or family came from Nazareth and was raised up there was very accustomed with the place and the people. “He came from Nazareth where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day” (Lk. 4: 16).  When there is service in the synagogue, that is reading of the Torah or Five Books of Moses, the Books of the prophets and historical books as part of their worship while the offering of thanksgiving and sacrifices of animals were held in the Temple in Jerusalem, it was his custom to go and to listen to the readings and the discourse of the one who recited the scripture.

He was invited to read and to explain the scroll/scripture when he came to attend at the service in synagogue in his place.  Luke described how to read the scroll in the synagogue.  “He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.” He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year of acceptance to the Lord.’  Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently to him” (Lk. 4: 17-20).  It so happened that when the scroll was rolled down the Book of the prophet Isaiah was opened.  He read the passage with clear voice, in good and upright manner, with honor and respect to what he was reading, and dignified.  He was reading as if it was applied to himself. As if he was Isaiah, the prophet, who was telling his listeners of what he did and what he can still do. To end his reading, he rolled up the scroll and handed it to the keeper of that scroll. And the people in the synagogue were so excited to listen to his homily or his teaching/preaching.

All the eyes and ears were focused on Jesus, waiting for what he can say to the scripture just read.  For the first time they will listen to him for he is now accepted as prophet and good teacher as compared before when he was not yet widely known.  He was disregarded before as only son of Mary and Joseph, but now they have high regards over him.  Now, they are ready to listen to him with full eyes and ears..   “He said to them, ‘Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in our hearing’.” (Lk. 4: 21).  For it was true what he was proclaiming.  Not long ago, or just recently he received the Holy Spirit and the Spirit remains in him. Just recently, also, he brought good news to the poor, he proclaimed liberty to the captives, giving back sight to the blind, and the oppressed were set free and pronounced the year of the Lord.  It was truly a Jubilee Year for all the people on earth for the Messiah, the anointed one, has come.  Jesus, the true Son of God and Son of Man, has come to the world to bring the love of God, the Father, with the strength and power of the Holy Spirit, and total dedication and commitment to service to all.

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

January 20, 2019

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 62: 1-5

Psalm: 96

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11

Gospel reading according to John 2: 1-11

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Homily: The Wedding at Cana

Maybe we can ask what Mary was doing in the wedding celebration in Cana, Galilee.  How was she related to the bride and/or the groom?  Was she related to one of the families of the married couple?   We have no immediate answers these questions in mind, but one thing is sure that Mary was the source of this story of the wedding at Cana of John, the Evangelist. “There was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there” (Jn. 2: 1).  All we know, Mary was invited in that celebration of marriage vows and new life of two families joined together by the bond of matrimony.    

We do not know either why Jesus was not with his mother but instead he was with his disciples when he attended the wedding.  We can guest that Jesus was already separated to his mother and he lived with his disciples, mostly fishermen fom Capernaum, Galilee, with Peter and Andrew, James and John.   “Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding” (Jn. 2: 2).  Jesus was invited also to the wedding.  He brought with him his disciples.

Mary who was familiar in the kitchen, and maybe she helped in the preparation and cooking of food as she did to Elisabeth when she was six months pregnant to John, the Baptizer. “When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine’.” (Jn. 2: 3).  Where there is a need, Mary is there to give help and support.  As a mother she feels the needs of her son.  Mary and Jesus saw each other in the dining hall, and Mary took the advantage of the presence of her son.  She told him the problem to occur, “They have no wine,” and she was worrying about the newly wedded couple, as if she is the mother of the groom.  The celebration might stop due to lack of wine that brings happiness and joy in life and good health in mind and body, but instead all the guests will go home with grumble and complain in their hearts, while the bride and the groom might be put to shame.

The concern of the mother leads to find an answer.  Mary was invited guest but she acted like the hostess or one of the groom’s/bride’s parents.  “And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, how does your concern affect me?  My hour has not yet come’.” (Jn. 2: 4).  Jesus was not affected of what’s going on, even the concern of his mother, Mary.  Jesus knew it was not yet his time to reveal himself of what he is, and/or who he is, and what he can do.  But with the insistence of his mother, he has not escaped the whims and concerns of his mother.  What Mary is a mother for if her son will not obey her?   He gave in, even though it is not yet his time.

The servers were called and were given instruction by Mary. “His mother said to the servers, ‘Do whatever he tells you” (Jn. 2: 5) Do whatever he tells you is a command with lots of hope and confidence inspite of uncertainty of want they must do and what the command is.  Mary has high hopes to her Son Jesus.  He will not disappoint his mother.  The servers will just wait to whatever he commends them.

Before the guests enter the house of the hosts they clean themselves by washing their feet, hands, sometimes eyes, ears and mouth.  We call this ceremonial cleansing as ablution, so that whatever that is not clean that clings to their body/themselves will be removed.  There were six empty stone jars of water were consumed in the ceremonial cleansing.  “Now there were six stone jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, ‘Fill the jars with water’.  So they filled them to the brim” (Jn. 2: 6-7).  Jesus told the servers to fill again the six stone ceremonial jars with water.  Each jar contains or holds twenty to thirty gallons of water.  The servers filled the stone jars to its brim.

Jesus changed the plain water into best wine.  “Then he told them, ‘Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.’ So they took it” (Jn. 2: 8).  The servers brought the wine to the headwaiter and tasted it, and he was delighted and amazed for until now the hosts have kept the best and delicious wine.  

The headwaiter after tasting the wine, suspected the hosts that they keep the best wine until now.  He did not know who was the benefactor or donor of the said wine, or where it came from, although the servers knew the source of this best wine.  “And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from – although the servers who had drawn the water knew – the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one, but you have kept the good wine until now’.” (Jn. 2: 8-10). He called the bridegroom to inform about the wine.  He told the trick of those couples who were married before them to stay the guests long time and enjoy the celebration, “one to sawa,” by offering the good wine first and when the guests were drunk the less and cheaper wine will be offered yet the guests did not noticed it for they were already drunk.  But this newlywed couple was different, they served first the good wine and the last wine to be served will be the best and most expensive wine, the wine never tasted before.

This was the first miracle Jesus performed.  He turned water into wine, not just wine but the best wine never tasted before.  This first miracle had an influence of a mother, whose name was Mary.  “Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him” (Jn. 2: 11). It happened at the wedding in Cana, Galilee where his glory revealed, his first miracle, and his disciples began to believe in him.

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (C)

January 13, 2019

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7

Psalm: 104

Second Reading: Acts 10: 34-38

Gospel reading according to Luke 3: 15-16, 21-22

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Homily:

The crowds are expecting and believing that John is the Messiah, the Christ they are waiting for.  “The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ” (Lk. 3: 15), because of what he was doing and saying to the crowds.  He attracted many people of different walks of life, and people became familiar with him and listened to him.  John was true to himself; he did not claim what he was not.  He needed to reveal and to tell the truth to the crowds so that they would not expect or presume much about him (cf. Homily, December 16, 2018, Third Sunday of Advent (C), Gaudete Sunday or Joyful Sunday).  “John answered them all, saying, ‘I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming.  I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire“(Lk. 3: 16).  John was baptizing water of cleansing and of repentance in preparation for the coming of the mighty One, for his imminent and immediate appearance.  He was so humble that he even said that he is not worthy to untie the strap/thongs of the sandal of the One wearing it.  He also revealed to the crowds that this Someone greater than he is coming and this Someone will baptize them, and us, with the Holy Spirit and fire.

So the crowds asked John to baptize them to cleanse them from their sins in preparation of the coming of the expected Messiah, the mighty one, and they are ready to welcome his arrival.  “After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened …” (Lk. 3: 21). Jesus came and baptized by John, but the people did not recognize him.  He was so familiar that no one in the crowds identified him; that he is the long awaited Messiah they are expecting and waiting for but they did not notice him. After Jesus’ baptism and while he was praying, the heaven was opened now for so long a time, it was closed after the fall of man.  Once again the heaven is opened because of Jesus and is ready to welcome those who are willing to accept Jesus.  But even this opening of heaven was not seen and recognized by the crowds.  If they did not recognize Jesus who is visible and humble as the Lord and Savior, how much more the heaven they will be aware of which is invisible and above them.

There are two proofs that Jesus is the Messiah, the Anointed and Mighty One, first, is the appearance of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit, the Third Person in One God, descended from open heaven in a bodily form like a dove.  “. . . and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove” (Lk. 3: 22).  The Holy Spirit is a spirit; it has no body or material being with flesh and blood.  But because of Jesus, he showed himself bodily/materially in the form of a dove, which is also a symbol of peace that also Jesus brings to the world.  But again, the world and some worldly people hate peace. Secondly, another proof of the messiahship of Jesus is the witness of God the Father.  “And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased’.” (Lk. 3: 22). The Father said to Jesus, whom few were heard the voice, especially John, “You are my beloved Son,” God distinguished Jesus as his beloved Son, and “with you I am pleased.”  “Ipinagmamalaki ng Diyos Ama ang Kanyang Anak na si Hesus at ipinagmamalaki Niya ang kanyang sarili dahil sa Anak niyang si Hesus.”  Through Jesus God the Father is pleased.  There is nothing the father can brag of himself except to his son who does and follows his will and command, and he escalates in his son because the son does whatever he is told by his father.  That is why Jesus was pleased to the Father because He is ready to do the will of His God and Father.

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (ABC)

January 6, 2019

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 60: 1-6

Psalm: 72

Second Reading: Ephesians 3: 2-3a, 5-6  

Gospel reading according to Matthew 2: 1-12

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Homily:

Jesus was born at that time in the midst where the shadow of darkness and death covered the earth, as if there was no hope, no justice, and no life.  For the one who was leading and ruling the people was a tyrant, a self-serving king who protected only his interest, King Herod, who killed many people including his own family members whom he suspected to grab and to take from him his throne.  But the star of a newborn King has appeared and shown in the East seen and interpreted by the wise men called magi.  The star was shown brightly as if a new day is dawning.  A new hope, justice, and life will supplant darkness and death.  These magi hurried to see the new born king of Israel and to give him homage with gifts.  “When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews?  We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage’.” (Mt. 2: 1-2).  In their journey, the magi accompanied by the star passed through Jerusalem, suddenly the star disappeared when they came to King Herod’s palace to have a courtesy call and to inquire the newborn King of the Jews.  King Herod felt insulted but he did not show it.  The magi told King Herod that they saw the newborn King’s star at its rising in the East and they have come and followed it which led them to Jerusalem, but it suddenly disappeared. They would like to worship him and give their gifts as signs of their loyalty, subservience, and love (hyper dulia, highest worship). 

King Herod gave the new arrivals an extravagant welcome and rooms for them to rest their tired body from a long journey.  At the same time, he called his experts to his chamber and asked them if they knew about the birth of the King of Israel and where he will be born. “When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.  Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born” (Mt. 2: 3-4). The experts, the chief priests and scribes, were caught unaware.  They too were surprised of the coming of the magi with great news of the birth and the coming of a new king.  They were perplexed and at the same time went to search in their manuscripts and documents about the birth of the newborn King of Israel in their time.

When they found the answer after their long searching in the manuscripts and documents from the Book of the Prophet Micah, and after their assembly to agree on this finding, they reported at once the result to King Herod.  “They said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel’..” (Mt 2: 5-6).  The new King was born in Bethlehem, in the city of King David in the land of Judah. “Bethlehem, land of Judah are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel” (Micah 5: 2).

After a short rest and when they were called by King Herod, the magi were asked secretly by the king the exact appearances of the star, and then they were informed about the birthplace of the newborn king. “Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appeared.  He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search diligently for the child.  When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage’.” (Mt. 2: 7-8).  King Herod allowed the wise men to look for the newborn King in Bethlehem; they can roam around the city in searching for the Babe of Bethlehem.

After receiving the whereabouts of the newborn King, after the audience with King Herod, the magi continued their searched for the new born child, destined to become King of the Jews. “After their audience with the king they set out.  And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was” (Mt. 2: 9). After leaving the palace of King Herod, the star re-appeared and continued guiding until it stopped them to the place the new born child was. 

The Epiphany or the appearance of the star gave joy to the magi.  They were overwhelmed of great joy when they saw the bright star that led them to the place where the new born child was.   “They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother” (Mt. 2: 10-11).  When the entered the house, they saw what was they looking for.  They found the child, the newborn King, the Babe of Bethlehem with His mother, Mary, and his foster-father Joseph, with some shepherds and neighbors, giving homage too to the newborn child.

They knelt down and worshiped the child.  They brought out too their gifts and offered them to their King. “They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then, they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt. 2: 11).  The gift of gold is representing as kingship, while frankincense is representing as worship, and myrrh is representing as death and mourning.  The gifts as symbolizing three aspects of newborn King’s future life, death and resurrection:

After few days of staying and worshiping the infant Jesus, the Christ and Lord, they were planning to go back to King Herod to report the exact location of the newborn King.  But while they were sleeping on that night the angel of the Lord appeared to them in a dream.  They were warned not to go back to King Herod for he was preparing to kill them and the child.  “And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way” (Mt. 2: 12). So, the magi, on that night, decided to leave the place of the newborn child and used another route in going back to their own places, to save their lives and the life of the child Jesus from the hand of the tyrant King, Herod.