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.