3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time(Cycle C, Year II)

Community Word:  Those who diligently search Jesus will find joy in the Light of God.

Theme:    We find joy in the Light of God when we proclaim the Gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Promise:    “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul, the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.”(Ps 19: 8)

Reflection:
Practically all readings for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time are about the word of God.  Reading and listening to the book of the law of God was important to the Jewish people.  They gave due reverence to the Lord as His word was read by Ezra from dawn to noon, after which Nehemiah and Ezra imparted blessings upon the people, saying: “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord, Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength,” (Neh 8:10)

This message is for us, as well.  We should never tire of reading the word of God.  Rather, let us commit ourselves to daily reading of Scriptures, that we may be formed in mind and will by the word of God.  Our community may face all sorts of challenges that could frustrate and bring sadness to members.  But for as long as we adhere to God’s precepts and put our trust in His strength, there will be fulfillment and happiness among those who serve His church.

St. Paul also reminds us that as a family and community, we must maintain unity, teamwork and cooperation while working in God’s vineyard, especially in proclaiming the Gospel to the world.  He uses the parts of the human body as an analogy to encourage everyone to work together for the good of all. And just like looking after our own body, special care given to the weaker parts benefits the whole person.  We are reminded that as one body in Christ, we must look after the under-privileged, marginalized, the poor and the needy.  As members of BLD, we are exhorted to know our gifts and use our individual functions, not for ourselves alone, but for the benefit of all, as  St. Paul says:  “If one part (of the body) suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy,” (1 Cor 12:26).

In Luke’s gospel, he assures Theophilus that he is teaching the truth about the promised Messiah, pointing out with unmistakable clarity how the Father’s word has been fulfilled in Jesus in the passage in which Jesus reads from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah:“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 acceptable to the Lord. Today, this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”  The last sentence leaves no room for doubt about the identity of Jesus as the Messiah. These words bring a deep, abiding joy to our hearts, just as all teachings and homilies must lead to a comforting, joyful feeling in the hearts of the faithful.

The theme for this week states: We find joy in the Light of God when we proclaim the Gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit.As members of BLD,united as one and moving through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, let us go forth and continue the mission which Jesus began and entrusted to us.  We should not think that proclaiming the Gospel of salvation is only for a select few. Jesus, while still very young at the time referred to in the passage, was not intimidated to speak the truth before the elders, because He knew that the Holy Spirit was upon Him.  During the week, let us be strengthened by God’s promise:  “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul, the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.”(Ps 19: 8).

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for redeeming us, for paying the price for us with Your life.  Help us, as a Community, to carry on the mission You have started.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, allow us to help build Your kingdom on earth.  Amen.

Reflection Questions:
1.    Have I been instrumental in bringing joy to others by sharing the wisdom of God’s word with them, as it applied to my life?

2.    How can I work effectively as team member of a Council, Ministry or Apostolate, or as part of an evangelization program or mission work?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
January 24, 2016 (Sun)    Neh 8:2-4,5-6,8-10/Ps 19:8,9,15/1Cor 12:12-30/Lk 1:1-4-4:14-21
January 25, 2016 (Mon)    Acts 22:3-16/Ps 117:1,2/Mk 16:15-18
January 26, 2016 (Tue)    2Tm 1:1-8/Ps 96:1-2,2-3,7-8,10/Mk 10:1-9
January 27, 2016 (Wed)   2Sm 7:4-17/Ps 89:4-5,27-28,29-30/Mk 4:1-20
January 28, 2016 (Thu)    2Sm 7:18-19,24-29/Ps 132:1-2,3-5,11,12,13-14/Mk 4:21-25
January 29, 2016 (Fri)      2Sm 11:1-4,5-10,13-17/Ps 51:3-4,5-6,6-7,10-11/Mk 4:26-34
January 30, 2016 (Sat)    2Sm 12:1-7,10-17/Ps 51:12-13,14-15,16-17/Mk 4:35-41

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ.  Read your Bible daily!”