Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

February 3, 2019

Readings:

First Reading: Jeremiah 1: 4-5, 17-119

Psalm: 71

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 31-13: 13 (or 13: 1-13)

Gospel reading according to Luke 4: 21-30

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Homily:

Jesus was in the synagogue in Nazareth at Galilee.  He was invited to read from the scroll and so it happened he opened the Book of the Prophet Isaiah and after reading and returning the scroll to the attendant of the synagogue, he sat down, as what teachers usually do, and taught his countrymen with the passage he read and they heard.  “Jesus began speaking in the synagogue, saying: ‘Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing’.” (Lk. 4: 21). He said that what they have heard written long, long time ago, as predicted by the prophet Isaiah, for “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” (Is. 61: 1-2), is now fulfilled in their hearing. As if Jesus was saying, what they have heard is now completed through what he was doing, because they heard what Jesus did in Capernaum.  He performed there many miracles – he brought glad tidings to the poor, proclaimed liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind, the oppressed went free, and he proclaimed a year of acceptance to the Lord.  A Jubilee Year indeed!  Truly these were the signs of reigning of God to men/women here on earth, His presence is felt and seen and heard.  

His words which were strong and profound, true and correct, and guaranteed by his works, especially with miracles, made the people of Nazareth amazed and filled of admiration.  “And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.  They also asked, ‘Isn’t this the son of Joseph?’” (Lk. 4: 22).  He read the passage and spoke with clear voice, in good and upright manner, with honor and respect to what he was reading, and dignified speech.  He was reading as if it was applied to him, so also, he spoke or preached what he performed and according to what he did; he also applied to himself what the scripture said.  Jesus is also inviting us to read the bible or scripture with love, respect and with dignity, and apply to ourselves whatever message it conveys to us to do.   But, the people in Nazareth saw also the human aspects of Jesus – that he was son of Joseph who was a carpenter and Mary; they were poor ones, even his relatives; without higher education.  What they meant is that Jesus was nothing; he is an ordinary man like the rest of the people of Nazareth, as what Nathaniel said to Philip “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”(John 1: 46). They were only good for nothing except gossiping. 

Since he came from Nazareth, Jesus knew their thoughts and mentality. “He said to them, ‘Surely you will quote me this proverb, Physician, cure yourself, and say, Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum’.” (Lk. 4: 23).  To prove what he said regarding the Book of the prophet Isaiah and what he did in Capernaum, his countrymen were asking him to do and perform the same miracles he did and performed in Capernaum. They wanted that their own physician/doctor cures first his own people.  “Physician, cure yourself.”  Cure your own.  They have the tendency “to see is to believe,” and “action speaks louder than words,” as the sayings go.  They have to see evidences that what they heard is true.  They want to see proof of what they have heard.

He knew also that his own people will not accept him even though he will do what he did in Capernaum and in other places which people there believed and accepted him and his teachings.  “And he said, ‘Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place’.” (Lk. 4: 24)  They knew him, so they could not accept him as their own prophet.  Sometimes, over-familiarity closes other possibilities and chances to discover more the person whom you believe you know through and through. The people of Nazareth radically rejected Jesus, although it was his hometown.

To cite some examples that prophets are not accepted by their own, Jesus gave the examples of the prophets Elijah and Elisha.  “Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land.  It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon.  Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian” (Lk. 4: 25-27). Their own people did not accept them and King Ahab did not obey Elijah but he preferred the false prophets of his wife Jezebel (1 Kings 16: 29; 17: 7-16); and also of Elisha where the king Joram was acting like God to cure Naaman the leprous (2 Kings 5: 1-14).

People in Nazareth knew these stories.  They knew also that Jesus referred to them those people during the time of Elijah and Elisha (nagpasaring/nagparinig).  The people of Nazareth became furious, and angry and they retaliated against Jesus to what he said. “When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury.  They rose up drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong” (Lk. 4: 28-29).  They became violent and wanted to kill him by throwing him down in the cliff of the hill where their town was built.  But since it was not yet time to die an unplanned death and manner of dying, he escaped death on that day.  “But he passed through the midst of them and went away” (Lk. 4: 30).  He escaped untimely death from the hands of his own and went away.  He went back to Capernaum where he was accepted as prophet.   

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.