FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Also Read: Mass Readings for 30 January 2022

First Reading: Jeremiah 1: 4-5, 17-19

For I am with you!

They will fight against you; but they will not prevail against you, for I am with you says the Lord, to deliver you. (19)

Mystically and wondrously, the Lord speaks to us through his word. His words are eternal and ever so relevant in each of our lives today. The hardest struggle we often face is to come to the Word of God itself. There will be impediments strewn across our path to the Lord. The toughest ones will be the simple act of lifting the bible, reading, and reflecting on it. It is because our enemy is very active in the world today, beginning with creating confusion and despair.

Listen then to this prophet of long ago, resounding his message in our hearts; dear friends. But you, gird up your loins, stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not break down before them, or I will break you before them. (17) We break down in a variety of ways, eg: physically getting emotional (distraught, upset, angry, etc.). We are forewarned by God, not to break down in any way, whatsoever. We are not to plead before men, but only before God!

We have been made a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall, against the kings, the princes, the priests, and the people of the land. (18) The kings et al, today are symbolized by the many who refuse to do right, be it the leaders of this world or our people. Many times it could be our worldly nature that stands against us, on our path! But we are reminded that our soul –(the city where God lives), our hearts –(the iron pillar), and our minds/intellect –(the bronze wall) are fortified. We may be broken but not crushed. (2Cor 4:8-9)

We must then dust off the ashes and rise again and again, each day and every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 71: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15-17

In you O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. (1) My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all day long, though their number is past my knowledge. (16)

Firstly, we must speak out about the Lord’s wondrous deeds, to remind ourselves!

Second Reading: First Corinthians 12: 31 – 13: 13

Love Above All!

The greatest mystery of our faith is Love and it is the toughest to follow! God is Love Above All Else! For out of His Love, He created us, sent HIS only Son to save us, and still loves us!

Of all the wonders and mysteries that are manifested in the world today, if they are not fashioned through love, they are just noisy gongs and clanging cymbals. To verify this, test to see if any boastfulness, arrogance, rudeness, etc, emanate through these actions. (1Cor 13:4-7) If so, we know where that comes from.

Gospel: Luke 4: 21-30

Jesus is Home!

He said to them, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown.”(24)  But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way. (30)

The hometown is of this world and the prophet is sent by God to save the people! Not surprising then, that the townspeople do not accept the Prophet. The Nazarenes were amazed one moment at Jesus’ words (22) and the next they were driving him out of town (29)! What scales would have clouded their eyesight?

But the Prophet then passes through the midst of his people and goes on his way! They had their chance to be saved when the prophet was in their midst. He proceeds to extend his love to all those who will accept Him as their Lord and Saviour. They will only accept him out of love, of course, nothing else!

Amen!

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Also Read: Mass Readings for 23 January 2022

First Reading: Nehemiah 8: 2-10

The Joy of the Lord is my Strength!

(Nehemiah the Governor, Ezra the priest, and the Levites said to all the people,) “This day is holy to the Lord your God, do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the Law. (9)

The Israelites had returned from exile in this account here. In a time of transition and relocation, there would have been some apprehension among the people. The priest and prophet then proclaim consolations to their people. In similar perilous times such as ours today, we find great solace in these words. As I paraphrase, “Do not mourn or weep.” But “Eat, drink and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared, for the Joy of the Lord is your strength.”

We have been blessed with certain things and virtues, like a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, patience, kindness so on. We could provide material, emotional, psychological, and other needs to those that lack any of these. To those that are teachable, we ought to then share our knowledge, faith, and love.  Because in this is the secret to our own joy- doing the will of Our Father!

Amen!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 19: 8, 9, 10, 15

The precepts of the Lord are right rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes. (8)

There is joy in the Law, there is liberation in following the rules!

Amen!

Second Reading: First Corinthians 12: 12-30

Divinely Ordained Members of the same Body!

As it is, there are many members, yet one body, (20)

On the contrary, the members that seem to be weaker are indispensable. (22)

In an analogy of how each little part of the human body is equally important, a sense of oneness within the whole body of the church is being relayed here by St. Paul. Therefore, even a little hurt/disrespect to any of the seemingly lowly members is considered by God as a hurt/disrespect to the whole church!

We then have a great support system that is divine. He sends his angels to guard us in all our ways. (91:10,11) We often miss these aids by our own ignorance, blindness, and arrogance. Our appointments (28) have been divinely ordained and we must operate in each of our capacities with joy and faith!

Amen!

Gospel: Luke 1: 1-4; 4: 14-21

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (18-19)

Jesus Christ has set us free once and for all. He has given back our sight and released us! Therefore we carry the mantle and take his Good News to everyone. Our behavior and conduct in our daily life, (whether covert or overt) must reflect this message!

Amen!

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Also Read: Mass Readings for 16 January 2022

First Reading: Isaiah 62: 1-5

Bridegroom’s joy!

Your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married. (4)

The Prophet Isaiah provides an analogy of the bridal exchange here, to portray God’s divine love for us mortals. Our God rejoices over us! Every time we turn our steps to him, physically, mentally, or emotionally, we could imagine Him taking another leap of joy. Remember He did join the wedding feast at Cana! (John 2:1-12)

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 96: 1-3, 7-10

Our joy!

O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. (1)

The Lord God rejoices in us, therefore we must sing a new song! His marvelous works are worked through us and in us, therefore we too rejoice!

Second Reading: First Corinthians 12: 4-11

Gifts!

All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. (11)

“The same Holy Spirit allots to each one of us” – we possess each of the gifts mentioned in the scriptures today. God activates all of them in everyone (6), we must yield Him. We humbly ask the Holy Spirit Lord to guide us. Amen!

Gospel: John 2: 1-11

The Celebration!

Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding 20 or 30 gallons. (6)

Do we feel like the stone water jars, now and then? Are we cold and hollow? Is there little purpose for our standing where we are? Although we have the capacity of gallons, have we reduced ourselves to pint-sized outputs?

Never mind friend! The Lord God himself is at our banquet, very near us! He sees us standing there, He knows our potential! So fill up your cisterns and light up your lamps, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Amen!

BAPTISM OF THE LORD Feast

Also Read: Mass Readings for 09 January 2022

BAPTISM OF THE LORD Feast

First Reading: Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11

O that today we would listen to his voice!

Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah. “Here is your God!” (9)

The good tidings revealed through the prophet, hold great hope for us today, in our trying times! We are the new Jerusalem, the new church built by Jesus! Christ has paid our penalty (2) and we are the freely adopted ones! Even as we hear the voice crying out in the wilderness; let us be assured that the Lord is very near indeed!

Therefore, we must not fear but raise an Alleluia! For Our Shepherd comes to gather us in his arms, close to his bosom! (11)

Amen!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 104: 1-4, 24-25, 27-30

Renewed!

When you send forth your spirit they are created; and you renew the face of the ground. (30)

By his spirit, we are created and renewed to new life! Amen!

Second Reading: Titus 2: 11-14; 3: 4-7

Justified!

This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ Our Saviour, so that having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs. According to the hope of eternal life. (3:7)

He gathers us, gives us new life, and pours out His Spirit on us! We are the blessed ones (we have been made heirs)! Did we merit it in the first place? No! Yet, we are justified only because of His mercy on us! Now that we realize this, we ought to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly! (2:12)

Amen!

Gospel: Luke 3: 15-16, 21-22

Beloved!

The Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you, I am well pleased,” (22)

Christ Jesus Our Lord, is the beloved of Our Father in heaven. Through the same Christ Jesus, God has poured out the Holy Spirit upon us. As proclaimed by John the Baptist, we have been baptized by the Holy Spirit and fire. (16) We are then in Christ and therefore a new creation! (2Cor 5:17) We too are the beloved – beloved of Lord Jesus Christ and beloved of God our Father!

We have now been commissioned by Jesus Christ himself to go and baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matt 28:19) So, we are to share this blessing with others! We may not be able to physically dip them in water and touch their heads. But we can surely touch their hearts and light the flame of the Holy Spirit by our words and example. This is the work of the Spirit and how the Spirit ignites the flame we will never know! Our role is to yield to his sweet and patient promptings!

Go, therefore! Amen!