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

Community Word:Christ is the revelation of God’s glory to the world.

Theme: God’s glory is revealed when we live our faith as one body of Christ.

Promise: “…the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.” (Ps 19:8b)

Reflection:
We will reflect on the theme and promise this week as one unified scriptural message. Thus, the glory of God is revealed when we live our faith as one body of Christ, and our faith is that, the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.

Scriptures says that it is possible for every believer to see the Lord’s glory. God says that He will reveal His glory to those who seek Him for it. Why is it important for us to see and understand God’s glory? It is because the revelation of His glory is meant to equip His people for the challenges and trials in life, and for them to receive the full measure of His blessings. According to Paul, this revelation “is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all of them which are sanctified,” (Acts 20:32).

What exactly is the glory of God? It’s not some physical manifestation, though some Christians believe it is. In simple terms, God’s glory is a revelation of His nature and attributes. When the Lord chooses to show us His glory, it is a revelation of how He wants to be known by us.When the Lord sent Moses to deliver Israel, He told him, “Go, and say I AM sent you.” But He gave no explanation of who “I AM” is. So Moses cried, “I beseech Thee, show me Thy glory,” (Ex 33:18). Moses had a gnawing hunger to know who the great I AM is, the essence of His nature and character.

When God reveals His glory to His people, it is with a purpose in mind. And He allowed Moses to see His glory so he might be transformed by understanding it. The same is true for us today. God reveals His glory to us so that we may be reassured in our daily walk. And to us followers of Christ, the glory of God is revealed through His decrees, so that we will know and faithfully live them.

For better understanding of the promise in Psalm 19:8b, this is expressed in different ways in various Bible versions. For one, the decree is stated in the plural form and referred to as statutes, commands, laws, teachings and rules in others. Thus,
 “The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”
 “The testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise.”
 “His teachings last forever, and they give wisdom to ordinary people.”
 “The commands of the Lord are trustworthy, giving wisdom to those who lack it.”
 “The rules set down by the Lord are reliable and impart wisdom to the inexperienced.”
 “The testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones.”

But what are these decrees? According to Scripture, God has made a number of decrees or divine pronouncements. The Bible says that God has decreed a number of things. First, He has decreed the stability of the universe. The universe remains stable because of God’s pronouncement. God has also decreed the free acts of human beings – humans can act either for good or evil. God has also decreed the circumstances of nations. God has decreed the length of a person’s life. The way one will die has also been made by God’s decree. The Lord has also decreed the salvation of believers. Finally, God has decreed the kingdom of Jesus Christ. The various decrees of God are in harmony with God’s attributes.

There are a number of practical benefits that can be derived from understanding God’s decrees. First, there is confidence that what God has decreed will come to pass; what God says will indeed happen. This also brings humility to the believer. For the unbeliever the decrees warn them of judgment to come. Finally the decrees bring a genuine hope to believers. Consequently, it is important to understand the things that God has decreed for humanity and for the universe.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for being faithful to Your promise. Grant us the grace to know Youmore and more, so that we will be transformed into Your image and likeness. And as people see You in us, may they will likewise get closer to You and give You all the honor, glory and praise that You deserve. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

Reflection Guide Questions:
1. How is God’s glory revealed in my life?

2. What are the obstacles that prevent God’s glory to be fully revealed in my life?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
January 27, 2019 (Sun)-Neh 8:2-4, 5, 6, 8-10/Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15/1Cor 12:12-30/Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21
January 28, 2019 (Mon)-Heb 9:15, 24-28/Ps 98:1-6/Mk 3:22-30
January 29, 2019 (Tue) – Heb 10:1-10/Ps 40: 2, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11/Mk 3:31-35
January 30, 2019 (Wed)- Heb 10:1-18/Ps 101:1-4/Mk 4:1-20
January 31 2019 (Thu) – Heb 10:19-25/Ps 24:1-6/Mk 4:21-25
February 1,2019 (Fri)-Heb 10:32-39/Ps 37:3-6, 23, 24, 39, 40/Mk 4:26-34
February 2, 2019 (Sat) -Mal 3:1-4/Ps 24:7-10/Lk 2:22-40

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