Homily 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C. 24th January, 2016
Nehemiah 8:2-4, 5-6, 8-10Psalm 18:8-10. Your Words Lord are Spirit and life 1Corinthians 12:12-30
Fr Paul W. Kelly
* THE DAILY STUDY BIBLE. GOSPEL OF LUKE. (REVISED EDITION). BY WILLIAM BARCLAY.
* SUNDAYS AND HOLY DAY LITURGIES. YEAR C. FLOR MCCARTHY S.D.B.
# 365 days with the Lord, 2007
**Adapted from homily from Christ in the Desert Monastery website.
+++
Archive of homilies and reflections is at: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
Nehemiah 8:2-4, 5-6, 8-10Psalm 18:8-10. Your Words Lord are Spirit and life 1Corinthians 12:12-30
Luke 1:1-4: 4:14-21
The letter to the Corinthians, the second reading this weekend, expresses very clearly our normal human experience: I do not have all of the gifts of faith, but when I relate with others, when we share our gifts and talents together we form a certain kind of wholeness. This is so important to remember today, when there are pressures to see ourselves as individuals who merely exist within a society… St Paul calls us to a vision of Christ’s good news which sees us as integrally and essentially united in such a way that we are one body, and not just any old body, but one body IN Christ. As john’s gospel says elsewhere, Christ is in us, and we are in Christ as Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in the son. Perfect communion, perfect unity, one body, one heart”**
The letter to the Corinthians, the second reading this weekend, expresses very clearly our normal human experience: I do not have all of the gifts of faith, but when I relate with others, when we share our gifts and talents together we form a certain kind of wholeness. This is so important to remember today, when there are pressures to see ourselves as individuals who merely exist within a society… St Paul calls us to a vision of Christ’s good news which sees us as integrally and essentially united in such a way that we are one body, and not just any old body, but one body IN Christ. As john’s gospel says elsewhere, Christ is in us, and we are in Christ as Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in the son. Perfect communion, perfect unity, one body, one heart”**
Last week, we reflected upon the amazing sign of the “Wedding at Cana.” Jesus gave us a foretaste of the unimaginable depths of God’s graciousness, generosity, love and care.
Jesus, by the action of turning an incredible and overwhelming amount of water into wine, set the scene for the overwhelming acts of self-giving, self-sacrifice, love and generosity that would always characterise all of his ministry. And now today, Jesus spells out the blue-print for that generous and compassionate ministry, in this extraordinary speech in the synagogue of his home town. This speech is a stunning declaration of the dawning of a new era of God’s kindness, favour and grace. All the hopes and dreams of the poor and the needy have been noticed by God and committed to God’s care.
In the gospel today we hear probably the greatest, most dramatic and stunning of all homilies ever given. It was Jesus’ inaugural speech. Here, only just dawning on the people, was the surprising revelation of God’s messiah, the Anointed One, the Christ! Jesus, who is God’s beloved son, is about to tell people the reason he was here. He tells them what his priorities would be and what he was going to do in his ministry.
One commentary asks a very good question at this point: What might YOU have expected from God’s first speech to his people? What surprises you about what God’s first speech, in Jesus’ words, actually says to us?
For myself, I suppose I might have expected what I suspect the people of Jesus’ day were also expecting: something very much like John the Baptist’s preaching; intense, passionate, an indictment on the many injustices and wrongs that the world has wrought and a commensurate “calling to order” or a “reckoning” perhaps.
What is most surprising, and it really should not be, is the reminder of just how much humans can underestimate God’s ways. God’s word is filled with the most moving graciousness, freshness, hope, lightness, forgiveness, lack of harshness, and absence of condemnation. God’s word is a declaration of good news for the poor. God’s word is the way of freedom for people who are experiencing in their lives enmeshment and imprisonment in some way. Freedom, for those who had lost their way, and lost their sense of direction and clarity, a return to vision, a re-direction for those who had done wrong and who found themselves to be outcasts and sinners. Jesus brings the surprising message of forgiveness, of lifting of burdens, of the cancellation of debts. Guilt washed away, and “beholdenness” erased. For all, a time of God’s favour! Amazing! Unexpected! So much better than we could ever have imagined or hoped for.
The other stunning thing is how Jesus takes a well know text and fires home one final shot that floors them all. “This is not just some old text… it is being brought to fulfilment right here, right now… as I speak………” (His words declare!).
And of course, it is not just Jesus’ words; for his actions, his life confirm the truth of what he has just announced. He not only reads this passage out, he then immediately began practising what he preached. He begins, in his ministry, DOING what he said here. And it brings hope and renewal to the world, joy to many and, – (sadly and surprisingly), - it also evokes hatred from those who felt threatened and undermined by what Jesus had come to establish.
All the readings this weekend show examples of great preachers, who are excellent because they practise what they preach. The Law of the God is alive in them and they cherish its meaning and treasure it in their hearts. They live their message! There are of course many people who have never publicly preached a word, but who nevertheless have made their whole lives an inspiration; their lives, their actions and their whole way of being and relating in the world is a great wordless homily. I think not only of the holy women and men throughout history, but also the everyday people who have inspired us by the way they lived their daily lives. So many holy people we have known in everyday life, have shown us that their very lives and actions are an excellent “homily in action”……. And as such deeply, inspiring and persuasive….
What then do we do? We do not always live up to the standards of these inspiring holy women and men, when we, at times, all fall short of the ‘fullness of the good news of Jesus.’ Sometimes we do not always live as we proclaim. There is an interesting quote by a 7th Century ascetical writer, in the famous book “The Ladder of Divine Descent”:
For myself, I suppose I might have expected what I suspect the people of Jesus’ day were also expecting: something very much like John the Baptist’s preaching; intense, passionate, an indictment on the many injustices and wrongs that the world has wrought and a commensurate “calling to order” or a “reckoning” perhaps.
What is most surprising, and it really should not be, is the reminder of just how much humans can underestimate God’s ways. God’s word is filled with the most moving graciousness, freshness, hope, lightness, forgiveness, lack of harshness, and absence of condemnation. God’s word is a declaration of good news for the poor. God’s word is the way of freedom for people who are experiencing in their lives enmeshment and imprisonment in some way. Freedom, for those who had lost their way, and lost their sense of direction and clarity, a return to vision, a re-direction for those who had done wrong and who found themselves to be outcasts and sinners. Jesus brings the surprising message of forgiveness, of lifting of burdens, of the cancellation of debts. Guilt washed away, and “beholdenness” erased. For all, a time of God’s favour! Amazing! Unexpected! So much better than we could ever have imagined or hoped for.
The other stunning thing is how Jesus takes a well know text and fires home one final shot that floors them all. “This is not just some old text… it is being brought to fulfilment right here, right now… as I speak………” (His words declare!).
And of course, it is not just Jesus’ words; for his actions, his life confirm the truth of what he has just announced. He not only reads this passage out, he then immediately began practising what he preached. He begins, in his ministry, DOING what he said here. And it brings hope and renewal to the world, joy to many and, – (sadly and surprisingly), - it also evokes hatred from those who felt threatened and undermined by what Jesus had come to establish.
All the readings this weekend show examples of great preachers, who are excellent because they practise what they preach. The Law of the God is alive in them and they cherish its meaning and treasure it in their hearts. They live their message! There are of course many people who have never publicly preached a word, but who nevertheless have made their whole lives an inspiration; their lives, their actions and their whole way of being and relating in the world is a great wordless homily. I think not only of the holy women and men throughout history, but also the everyday people who have inspired us by the way they lived their daily lives. So many holy people we have known in everyday life, have shown us that their very lives and actions are an excellent “homily in action”……. And as such deeply, inspiring and persuasive….
What then do we do? We do not always live up to the standards of these inspiring holy women and men, when we, at times, all fall short of the ‘fullness of the good news of Jesus.’ Sometimes we do not always live as we proclaim. There is an interesting quote by a 7th Century ascetical writer, in the famous book “The Ladder of Divine Descent”:
“If some are still dominated by their former bad habits, and yet are still able to teach and inspire by mere words, let them teach and inspire with words still…..For, perhaps, being put to shame by their own words, challenged by how their actions are falling short of their words, they will eventually begin to practice what they teach.”
This is a refreshing and interesting new angle on the (at times) high and mighty angle that one usually takes on demanding we be consistent in word and action. Naturally we all strive and are challenged to live out the faith we proclaim, to have our actions match our words, the words of Jesus good news. But we also acknowledge that none of us is perfect, but here still there is hope………. #
In the Gospel, Jesus’ home town of Nazareth, was an important place. Some might have mistakenly assumed that Nazareth was a small country township, but in fact, it was a major centre, with a sizeable population, probably about 20, 000 people. This was a major city.
It was also in a very, very important location. The hill nearby was not just some minor feature. If the boy Jesus, when he was growing up, had gone up that hill and peered over it, the world, he would have seen, in a sense, the world sprawled out in front of him. Before his eyes were the major trade and travelling routes from all the other different regions. Jesus would have watched the world go by as he sat there on that hill in Nazareth. And nearby (an hour’s walk from Nazareth), was a town called Sepphoris, which was the location of Herod’s palace for a time. Sepphoris was a town of beauty, prestige, privilege and wealth. It would have been a town Joseph and Jesus may very well have worked in, with carpentry work in this major time of building.
And so, Jesus’ speech in the Synagogue of Nazareth is timely and well-placed. At the cross-roads of the nations, God has intervened in our history and has come to give us news. And, thank goodness, it is very good news indeed.
So, Our Lord proclaims from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. It is clear that Jesus was a regular attendee of the Synagogue. Every Saturday he would attend. He clearly appears to be already accepted as a rabbi or a teacher, as he is reading from the text and speaking about its meaning.
Jesus observed the Law of Moses and was faithful to his attendance at religious observance. Even though there were clearly aspects about the way people were practising that he must have found issue with, perhaps sensing that they had lost their focus, he was nevertheless very much faithful to the practise of his faith. He did not reject the religious institution of his day, even though it had become flawed and lost its direction in many ways.
Jesus’ speech is really his mission statement. This is what he is here to do! This is his purpose and his mission and it stands in surprising contrast to John the Baptist, who came declaring a time of judgement, uprooting and retribution. Now, here comes Jesus, declaring “good news for the poor, freedom to captives, and declaring a time of God’s favour.” It is wonderful! It is surprising! And, it is very good news. This is not to suggest that John was on the wrong track, for we truly do need to repent, change and turn back from our old ways, in order to be part of the Kingdom. Although Jesus’ news was indeed good news, he did not mince his words in relation to the fact that the Kingdom of God would be shut in the faces of those who persistently live in opposition to Christ’s message and values, or who continue to mistreat the vulnerable and needy, (a people for whom God has special concern). Jesus came to usher in a quite surprising Kingdom of grace, inclusion and overflowing mercy and kindness for all the nations and for all people who would accept his message…
There still is some bad news, too, amidst all this good news. Jesus’ message is bad news for all who have arranged the world around them to suit themselves, and to the disadvantage of others. Even Jesus’ good news will soon anger those who do not want everyone included in God’s invitation of being broadly included as part of God’s family. But Jesus will not water-down his message.
And we can ask ourselves: who are the ‘poor’ to whom Jesus has come:
· The poor are the hungry and the thirsty..
· The poor are also the homeless and the sick..
· People physically, emotionally or spiritually scarred…
· Those suffering the burden of age…
The poor are also:
In the Gospel, Jesus’ home town of Nazareth, was an important place. Some might have mistakenly assumed that Nazareth was a small country township, but in fact, it was a major centre, with a sizeable population, probably about 20, 000 people. This was a major city.
It was also in a very, very important location. The hill nearby was not just some minor feature. If the boy Jesus, when he was growing up, had gone up that hill and peered over it, the world, he would have seen, in a sense, the world sprawled out in front of him. Before his eyes were the major trade and travelling routes from all the other different regions. Jesus would have watched the world go by as he sat there on that hill in Nazareth. And nearby (an hour’s walk from Nazareth), was a town called Sepphoris, which was the location of Herod’s palace for a time. Sepphoris was a town of beauty, prestige, privilege and wealth. It would have been a town Joseph and Jesus may very well have worked in, with carpentry work in this major time of building.
And so, Jesus’ speech in the Synagogue of Nazareth is timely and well-placed. At the cross-roads of the nations, God has intervened in our history and has come to give us news. And, thank goodness, it is very good news indeed.
So, Our Lord proclaims from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. It is clear that Jesus was a regular attendee of the Synagogue. Every Saturday he would attend. He clearly appears to be already accepted as a rabbi or a teacher, as he is reading from the text and speaking about its meaning.
Jesus observed the Law of Moses and was faithful to his attendance at religious observance. Even though there were clearly aspects about the way people were practising that he must have found issue with, perhaps sensing that they had lost their focus, he was nevertheless very much faithful to the practise of his faith. He did not reject the religious institution of his day, even though it had become flawed and lost its direction in many ways.
Jesus’ speech is really his mission statement. This is what he is here to do! This is his purpose and his mission and it stands in surprising contrast to John the Baptist, who came declaring a time of judgement, uprooting and retribution. Now, here comes Jesus, declaring “good news for the poor, freedom to captives, and declaring a time of God’s favour.” It is wonderful! It is surprising! And, it is very good news. This is not to suggest that John was on the wrong track, for we truly do need to repent, change and turn back from our old ways, in order to be part of the Kingdom. Although Jesus’ news was indeed good news, he did not mince his words in relation to the fact that the Kingdom of God would be shut in the faces of those who persistently live in opposition to Christ’s message and values, or who continue to mistreat the vulnerable and needy, (a people for whom God has special concern). Jesus came to usher in a quite surprising Kingdom of grace, inclusion and overflowing mercy and kindness for all the nations and for all people who would accept his message…
There still is some bad news, too, amidst all this good news. Jesus’ message is bad news for all who have arranged the world around them to suit themselves, and to the disadvantage of others. Even Jesus’ good news will soon anger those who do not want everyone included in God’s invitation of being broadly included as part of God’s family. But Jesus will not water-down his message.
And we can ask ourselves: who are the ‘poor’ to whom Jesus has come:
· The poor are the hungry and the thirsty..
· The poor are also the homeless and the sick..
· People physically, emotionally or spiritually scarred…
· Those suffering the burden of age…
The poor are also:
. The sad and depressed
· Those suffering from natural disasters as well as those suffering from human-made ills….
· Those suffering injustice,
· Those who are unemployed… those struggling on low income..
· Those suffering from natural disasters as well as those suffering from human-made ills….
· Those suffering injustice,
· Those who are unemployed… those struggling on low income..
. The poor are also those who feel unloved, unwelcomed, un-forgiven, or left-out…
· The poor are also the alcoholics, and drug addicts…
· The addictive gamblers….
· Those who have enough food and shelter and material comforts, but do not know God and are missing much in their lives…
The list goes on…
“The poor” are all of us! In one way or another, we are all poor. Many of us are captive to one thing or another in our lives. We all desperately need the news Jesus has to give us. So this news from Jesus is for all of us and for everyone. We take heart that Jesus has us in mind when he begins his mission to save and help all people and to free us from what imprisons and impoverishes us.
The first step seems to be ‘freedom’ – if we are not free, then things hold us back from being the loving people God calls us to be…. If we are not free, we are limited in what response we are capable of giving to those in dire need. If we are not free, we are trapped in values, priorities, actions and mindsets that that do not give us life. If we are not truly free, we can waste our time and energy on that which does not truly and fully satisfy.
Jesus words are not merely ‘talk’ but rather they give us hope to trust in him. Jesus has the way to true and complete life, joy and fulfilment. He needs to free us and wants to free us from things that bind us up. Once freed, the Kingdom will flow in and through us with unimaginable effects.
Let us allow Jesus words, his good news, his invitation into a new and heroic way of living, draw us deeper into a way of living that matches these words. If we look inside our lives and see ourselves falling short in this aspect of the Word or that, Jesus invites us to not lose hope, but to continue to proclaim his word, allowing his word to draw any gaps or inconsistencies ever smaller until, with God’s grace, there is little or no inconsistency. This of course, is a journey of a lifetime, but in faith, we allow Jesus to take us along this unfamiliar path.
And again, on this Sunday, we give praise to Jesus, our first and greatest teacher and preacher, whose gracious words matched so perfectly with his life and his actions… and whose words, in 2016, continue to be “fulfilled in our hearing.”
· The poor are also the alcoholics, and drug addicts…
· The addictive gamblers….
· Those who have enough food and shelter and material comforts, but do not know God and are missing much in their lives…
The list goes on…
“The poor” are all of us! In one way or another, we are all poor. Many of us are captive to one thing or another in our lives. We all desperately need the news Jesus has to give us. So this news from Jesus is for all of us and for everyone. We take heart that Jesus has us in mind when he begins his mission to save and help all people and to free us from what imprisons and impoverishes us.
The first step seems to be ‘freedom’ – if we are not free, then things hold us back from being the loving people God calls us to be…. If we are not free, we are limited in what response we are capable of giving to those in dire need. If we are not free, we are trapped in values, priorities, actions and mindsets that that do not give us life. If we are not truly free, we can waste our time and energy on that which does not truly and fully satisfy.
Jesus words are not merely ‘talk’ but rather they give us hope to trust in him. Jesus has the way to true and complete life, joy and fulfilment. He needs to free us and wants to free us from things that bind us up. Once freed, the Kingdom will flow in and through us with unimaginable effects.
Let us allow Jesus words, his good news, his invitation into a new and heroic way of living, draw us deeper into a way of living that matches these words. If we look inside our lives and see ourselves falling short in this aspect of the Word or that, Jesus invites us to not lose hope, but to continue to proclaim his word, allowing his word to draw any gaps or inconsistencies ever smaller until, with God’s grace, there is little or no inconsistency. This of course, is a journey of a lifetime, but in faith, we allow Jesus to take us along this unfamiliar path.
And again, on this Sunday, we give praise to Jesus, our first and greatest teacher and preacher, whose gracious words matched so perfectly with his life and his actions… and whose words, in 2016, continue to be “fulfilled in our hearing.”
Let us trust in our Lord, who is truly good news for us poor and captive. In fact Christ is the best news we will ever hear.
+
References:+
Fr Paul W. Kelly
* THE DAILY STUDY BIBLE. GOSPEL OF LUKE. (REVISED EDITION). BY WILLIAM BARCLAY.
* SUNDAYS AND HOLY DAY LITURGIES. YEAR C. FLOR MCCARTHY S.D.B.
# 365 days with the Lord, 2007
**Adapted from homily from Christ in the Desert Monastery website.
+++
Archive of homilies and reflections is at: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
