Jesus Returned in the Power of the
Spirit
Introduction: May you
continue to grow in your understanding and appreciation of the Word and may it empower
you to be a pro-active member of the faith community.
We all need food
to live. We ingest the food, which is turned into chemicals that energize and enable
the various parts of our bodies to perform the function for which they were created.
What is amazing is the parts of our bodies can take the nutrients that we consume
and convert them into something that can be used by the multiple organs in
our bodies.
GOD has planned
that the members of the Church take in the same nutrients as other members of the
community and then allow it to transform those nutrients into a form that empowers
the members of the community to fulfill the function for which they were made. The
common food of our community is the Word of GOD (both the verbally transmitted Word
of Scripture and the Incarnate Word of GOD Whom we receive in the sacrament of the
Eucharist). Each of us is then fortified with what we need to do, for the Good of
the whole community.
Two aspects of being
a Christian (a disciple of Jesus Christ) are laid before us today: being part
of a community of believers and being attentive to GOD’s Word as revealed in
scripture. These two aspects are summarized in our relationship to Jesus, the Head
of the Body and the Word of GOD Incarnate.
The passage from
Nehemiah describes the response of the people to the proclamation of the Word of
GOD. The psalm reiterates the theme proclaimed in the First Reading by declaring
that the Word of GOD gives life. In the New Testament reading, St. Paul continues
his First Letter to the Corinthians by speaking of the unity that should exist in
the community of believers. In the Gospel, Jesus continues the beginning of His
public ministry by returning to His hometown of Nazareth and proclaiming the fulfillment
of the Word of GOD.
First Reading; Nehemiah 8:2-6,8-10:
All the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law
Commentary: The Book
of Nehemiah, from which today’s reading is taken, is the latest historical book
of the Hebrew Bible. It describes the re-establishment of the People of Israel,
now the Jews, in and around Jerusalem, on their release from exile in Babylon. In
the seventy years of exile, they had developed a way of life based on the Law and
marked by Sabbath, circumcision, and ritual food, which distinguished them not only
from the Babylonians but also from those inhabitants of Judaea who had not been
dragged into captivity. It was only those who were passionate about the Lord and this
way of life who returned to the ruins of Jerusalem. Others stayed in more comfortable
exile! Ezra, the expert in the Law, and Nehemiah, commissioned by the King of Persia
(in whose empire Judaea lay), were at different times leaders of the community.
In this scene, Ezra reads out and so promulgates the Law in Jerusalem, to the acclaim
of the people. What a contrast to the scene in the synagogue at Nazareth where Jesus
reads out the passage from Isaiah which is the clue to his way of life and that
of his followers, only to be rejected by his own people!
Responsorial Psalm 19:8-10,15: Your
words are spirit, Lord, and they are life.
The psalmist proclaims
the effectiveness that GOD’s Word should have on the people. Hearing and acting
on the Word should be refreshing, wisdom-producing, cause for rejoicing, enlightening,
and leading to enduring peace and salvation. The Word of GOD is truly perfect, trustworthy,
right, clear, and pure.
Second Reading; 1 Cor 12:12-30: You
together are Christ's body, but each a different part of it
Commentary: Following directly on last Sunday’s reading,
in today’s passage Paul shows just why the different gifts of the Spirit must be
used for the common purpose of building up the community. He compares the community
which lives with the only life, that of the Spirit, with a human body. For the effective
functioning of the human body, each highly diverse organ must play its part, and contribute
its own particular specialty. To prevent the individual Corinthians becoming proud
and possessive of their own particular gifts he stresses that, like parts of the
body, none is more important than any other. Is it less serious if your liver fails
or your kidneys? This comparison of a community to a human body is common in ancient
literature, but nowhere else is the community as a body described as the body of
a particular person in the way that Paul designates the Corinthian Christian community
as the Body of Christ. The Body which lives by the life principle of Christ’s Spirit
is Christ’s own Body.
Gospel, Luke 1:1-4,4:14-21: 'This
text is being fulfilled today even as you listen'
Commentary: Today’s gospel passage starts the series
of readings from Luke which will continue throughout the ordinary Sundays of the
Year. It is composed of two separate passages: first it gives Luke’s introduction
to his gospel, in which he explains how and why he wrote it. Then, jumping over
the preparatory stories of Jesus’ infancy, baptism, and testing in the desert, it
comes directly to his programmatic manifesto in the synagogue at Nazareth. The gospel
is offered to Theophilus – a Greek name, ‘Lover of God’ – and is written for gentile
communities. So Luke stresses that Jesus’ message is not just for Jews but for the
people of the whole world. Twice in this short passage which gives Jesus’ program, Luke stresses that Jesus is moved by the Spirit of the Lord. As we saw in the second
reading, the Spirit was palpably at work in the early Christian communities. This
was no more than a continuation of the Spirit’s activity from the very beginning
of the Christian movement. In Luke’s stories of the annunciation, birth, and infancy
of Jesus the presence of the Spirit is constantly noted. In the earliest stories
of the Church in the Acts of the Apostles, the same guidance directs every move.
Reflection: What does
the Gospel of Luke tell us about Jesus and his mission and what he came to do for
us? Many skeptics question the reliability and accuracy of the Gospel accounts of
Jesus. Luke tells us that his account is utterly believable because it comes from
firsthand witnesses (Luke 1:2) who knew Jesus personally, heard him teach, saw his
miracles, and witnessed his atoning death on the cross and his rising from the tomb
to everlasting life.
Luke begins his
account by addressing his friend, Theophilus, a name which means "beloved of
God" (Luke 1:3). In so many words Luke tells his friend (and us as well), I
am writing to you the most incredible story humankind has known - and which many
witnesses and messengers of God's word have openly explained on many occasions.
Luke wants his friend and all who read his account to "know the truth"
(Luke 1:4) concerning Jesus of Nazareth who was sent from the Father in heaven and
anointed by the Holy Spirit to bring us the good news and power of God's kingdom.
The "good news" of Jesus brings new life and freedom:
The word "gospel" literally means "good news." The
Gospel is the Good News of Jesus Christ and the new life and freedom he has won
for us through his atoning death on the cross for our sins and his resurrection
to everlasting life and glory with the Father in heaven. The Gospel is the all-powerful
and all-merciful word of God for us today as much as it was for the people who first
heard it in Jesus' time. It's a life-giving word that has the supernatural power to
change, transform, and bring freedom and healing to those who accept it as the living
word of God. Are you hungry for God's word of truth and mercy, love and forgiveness?
And do you want to grow in the knowledge of God and what he has accomplished for
us through his Son, Jesus Christ?
Jesus came in the power of the Spirit: Luke tells us
that Jesus was about 30 years of age when he began his public ministry (Luke 3:23).
Right after Jesus was baptized by John and anointed by the Spirit at the River Jordan
(Luke 3:21-22), he spent 40 days in the wilderness to devote himself to prayer and
fasting (Luke 4:1-13). At the end of this period of spiritual preparation and testing,
Luke tells us that Jesus "returned in the power of the Spirit to his own land
of Galilee" (Luke 4:14). Jesus chose to begin his public ministry in Galilee
first, rather than in Jerusalem, the holy city and temple of God. This was in fulfillment
of the prophecy of Isaiah 9:1,2.
Luke tells us that
Jesus chose to publicly announce his mission in the synagogue at Nazareth. The people
there were familiar with Jesus since it was his custom to regularly attend the weekly
Sabbath service. Jesus was also known by many in Nazareth as a "carpenter"
(Mark 6:3) and "son of Joseph" (Luke 4:21). When the president of the
synagogue called on Jesus to read from the book of the prophet Isaiah, Jesus chose
to read Isaiah's description (verses 1-2 of chapter 61) of what the Messiah would
do when he came to restore God's kingdom for the people of Israel.
"The Spirit
of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the
blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year
of the Lord" (Isaiah 61:1-2).
Isaiah had prophesied
that the Messiah would be sent by God and anointed in the power of the Holy Spirit
to preach "good news" and bring healing, blessing, and freedom to all
who were oppressed (see Isaiah 61:1-2). Jesus awakened their hope in God's promises
when he announced that this word was now being fulfilled in his very own person.
Luke tells us that the people of Nazareth spoke well of him and received his "gracious
word" with amazement and wonder. But they also openly questioned how the "son
of Joseph" would fulfill this Messianic mission (Luke 4:21). Jesus challenged
them to believe the word God had spoken through the prophets and the word he now
speaks in God's name through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus renews and strengthens us in faith, hope, and love: The
Lord Jesus speaks this same word to each of us today - he comes to bring us healing
and restoration, pardon and freedom from the oppression of sin, despair, hopelessness,
and destruction. Do you believe his word with expectant faith and trust, or with
doubt and indifference? The Lord will not refuse to pour out his Spirit on all who
trust in him. Ask the Lord Jesus to renew in you the joy of the Gospel and the freedom
to live each day with trusting faith, joyful hope, and fervent love.
Lord Jesus, you
are the fulfillment of all our hopes and dreams. Through the gift of your Holy Spirit
you bring us truth, freedom, and abundant life. Fill me with the joy of the Gospel
and inflame my heart with a burning love for you and a deep thirst for your word.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Jesus fulfills the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 61, by
Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"Now it was
necessary that he should manifest himself to the Israelites and that the mystery
of his incarnation should now shine forth to those who did not know him. Now that
God the Father had anointed him to save the world, he very wisely orders this also
[that his fame should now spread widely]. This favor he grants first to the people
of Nazareth, because, humanly speaking, he had grown up among them. Having entered
the synagogue, therefore, he takes the book to read. Having opened it, he selects
a passage in the Prophets that declares the mystery concerning him. By these words, he himself tells us very clearly by the voice of the prophet that he would both
be made man and come to save the world. For we affirm that the Son was anointed
in no other way than by having become like us according to the flesh and taking
our nature. Being at once God and man, he both gives the Spirit to the creation
in his divine nature and receives it from God the Father in his human nature. It
is he who sanctifies the whole creation, both by shining forth from the Holy Father
and by bestowing the Spirit. He pours forth his own Spirit on the powers
above and on those who recognized his appearing." (excerpt from COMMENTARY
ON LUKE, HOMILY 12)
guess what happened at church today?: “...entering
the synagogue on the sabbath as He was in the habit of doing...” —Luke 4:16
Jesus had habitually
entered the synagogue on the sabbath to worship God (Lk 4:16). Then, on one special
sabbath day, the time “of favor” came (Lk 4:19). On that day, the Holy Spirit anointed
Jesus and sent Him forth, Scriptures were fulfilled, Jesus prophesied in power,
and was nearly killed (Lk 4:23ff).
Since Jesus is the
same today as He was then (Heb 13:8), He is working in power today, His day, the
Lord’s Day. Therefore, we should never be comfortable or complacent walking into
Church. Rather, we should approach “the liturgy of the Lord” (Acts 13:2) with trembling,
anticipation, reverence, and awe. At any moment, in any Mass, the Spirit may explode
and an international, earthshaking ministry could be born (see Lk 4:18; Acts 13:2).
Great healings (Acts 20:7-12) or life-changing revelations (Lk 24:30-32) might occur.
Miracles will occur, as bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood
of Jesus, Who is God. The proclaimed Scriptures will be fulfilled in the lives of
many today as Jesus comes alive in their hearts and sets them free (Lk 4:18; Jn
8:32).
Today is the Lord’s
Day, “the first of all days” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2174). “Today is
holy to the Lord” (Neh 8:9). Today the Holy Spirit anoints you (Lk 4:18). Expect
today’s Mass to be charged with power as Jesus makes all things new (Rv 21:5) —
today.
Prayer: Jesus, may I
never be so “familiar” with You that I become like the people of Nazareth and fail
to see You as God. “You, then, are the body of Christ. Every one of you is a member
of it.” —1 Cor 12:27. Risen Jesus, we exalt You. King of kings (Rv 17:14), we praise
and worship You. Be glorified forever.
The personal action for today: What has been my response to the Word of GOD being
proclaimed? Have I voiced my acceptance of the Word not only by my “Amen,” but also
by living out the Word in my daily life? What part of the Body of Christ am
I? What are the gifts I have been given and called to use for edifying
(building up) the Body of Christ? Do I make full use of the gifts (charisms) I
have been given? Do I pray for the other members of the Body of Christ,
particularly those whom I have been called to serve?
Saints Timothy and Titus: What
we know from the New Testament of Timothy’s life makes it sound like that of a
modern harried bishop. He had the honor of being a fellow apostle with Paul,
both sharing the privilege of preaching the gospel and suffering for it.
Timothy had a
Greek father and a Jewish mother named Eunice. Being the product of a “mixed”
marriage, he was considered illegitimate by the Jews. It was his grandmother,
Lois, who first became Christian. Timothy was a convert of Paul around the year
47 and later joined him in his apostolic work. He was with Paul at the founding
of the Church in Corinth. During the 15 years he worked with Paul, he became
one of his most faithful and trusted friends. He was sent on difficult missions
by Paul—often in the face of great disturbance in local churches that Paul had
founded. Timothy was with Paul in Rome during the latter’s house arrest. At
some period Timothy himself was in prison (Hebrews 13:23). Paul installed him
as his representative at the Church of Ephesus.
Timothy was
comparatively young for the work he was doing. Several references seem to
indicate that he was timid. And one of Paul’s most frequently quoted lines was
addressed to him: “Stop drinking only water, but have a little wine for the
sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses” (1 Timothy 5:23).
Titus has the
distinction of being a close friend and disciple of Paul as well as a fellow
missionary. He was Greek, apparently from Antioch. Even though Titus was a
Gentile, Paul would not let him be forced to undergo circumcision at Jerusalem.
Titus is seen as a peacemaker, administrator, great friend. Paul’s second
letter to Corinth affords an insight into the depth of his friendship with
Titus, and the great fellowship they had in preaching the gospel.
When Paul was
having trouble with the community at Corinth, Titus was the bearer of Paul’s
severe letter and was successful in smoothing things out. Paul writes he was
strengthened not only by the arrival of Titus but also “by the encouragement
with which he was encouraged in regard to you, as he told us of your yearning,
your lament, your zeal for me so that I rejoiced even more…. And his heart
goes out to you all the more, as he remembers the obedience of all of you when
you received him with fear and trembling” (2 Corinthians 7:7a, 15). The “Letter
to Titus” addresses him as the administrator of the Christian community on the
island of Crete, charged with organizing it, correcting abuses, and appointing
presbyter-bishops.
In Titus, we get
another glimpse of life in the early Church: great zeal in the apostolate,
great communion in Christ, great friendship. Yet always there is the problem of
human nature and the unglamorous details of daily life: the need for charity
and patience in “quarrels with others, fears within myself,” as Paul says.
Through it all, the love of Christ sustained them. At the end of the Letter to
Titus, Paul says that when the temporary substitute comes, “hurry to me.”