1ST READING
This
reading describes the euphoria of the Jewish people at the rediscovery
of the scrolls of the Book of the Law as they are rebuilding the walls
of Jerusalem, following the return of the people from exile in Babylon. I
am always inspired by this story when I read it, and not just a little
bit guilty when I realize my commitment to reading the Scriptures
regularly does not reflect the proper respect and desire I should have
for them.
Nehemiah 8:2-4, 5-6, 8-10
2 Ezra
the priest brought the law before the assembly, which consisted of men,
women, and those children old enough to understand. 3 Standing
at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate, he read
out of the book from daybreak till midday, in the presence of the men,
the women, and those children old enough to understand; and all the
people listened attentively to the book of the law. 4 Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. 5 He
opened the scroll so that all the people might see it — for he was
standing higher up than any of the people; and, as he opened it, all the
people rose. 6 Ezra
blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people, their hands raised
high, answered, “Amen, amen!” Then they bowed down and prostrated
themselves before the Lord, their faces to the ground. 8 Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand what was read. 9 Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all the people, “Today is holy to the Lord your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep” — for all the
people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. 10 He
said further: “Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot
portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our
Lord. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord must be
your strength!”
P S A L M
Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15
R: Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
7 [8] The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. (R) 8 [9] The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye. (R) 9 [10] The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true, all of them just. (R) 14 [15] Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (R)
2ND READING
We
have here both a reminder of the diversity of the many gifts of the
Spirit and also that it is only as the Body of Christ that we have
access to them. Each of us may have more than one gift but none of us
have them all. Therefore, it is important that we be members of a faith
community where the gifts are shared for everyone’s benefit.
1 Corinthians 12:12-30
12 Brothers
and sisters: As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the
parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. 13 For
in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or
Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one
Spirit. 14 Now the body is
not a single part, but many. 15 If
a foot should say, “Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the
body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. 16 Or
if an ear should say, “Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the
body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the
hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I do not need you.” 22 Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, 23 and
those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround
with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with
greater propriety, 24 whereas
our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructed
the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy. 27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. 28 Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second,
prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then, gifts of healing,
assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
GOSPEL
Luke
presents Jesus as a man who knows He has a certain destiny in the plan
of God. It is important that we understand that Jesus knew He had a
mission from God, but it is not certain that He knew all the precise
details of how it would unfold. There is much discussion as to the
extent of Jesus the Man’s omniscience. I doubt whether it is possible to
resolve the question, and I know that it is not necessary for our
relationship with Him.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, and to proclaim liberty to captives.
Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21
1 Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, 3 I too have decided, after investigating
everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for
you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. 4: 14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. 15 He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. 16 He
came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his
custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read 17 and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: 18
“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, 19 and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” 20 Rolling
up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the
eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. 21 He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
LIST
think: We have access to the gifts of the Spirit because we are members of the Body of Christ.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ___________________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today_________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Luke 19-21
SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
________________________________________________________________
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
________________________________________________________________
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HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
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