Today's Scripture Readings
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 (NRSV)
All the people of Israel gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people 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. Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Psalm 19 (BCP., p.606)
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a (NRSV)
Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. 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? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts.
Luke 4:14-21 (NRSV)
Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all
the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
"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
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
Blog Reflection
Saint Paul helps us to begin our meditation, as we continue to think about the gifts that God has given each of us. Our gifts are unique, as is how we use them. Our diverse gifts bring about a different result, but it all points to one common end. To serve others in the Name of Christ.
As an adult male, Jesus goes to the podium and reads from the Prophet Isaiah. We hear this reading ever three years when we are on Year C. The Year of the Gospel according to Luke. This reading has been called, "Jesus' inauguration speech." Additionally, it is the call to reach out to others to listen to their stories and seek to serve them in the way Jesus accepted His ministry outlined in this reading. Jesus is interested in more than mere words. Jesus understands that the words that He read, are the call of God on His life to make those words a living reality.
As in the time of Jesus, there are so many around us who are held captive and oppressed by injustice and prejudice. Way too many people near and far who live in the oppression of poverty, violence and death as a daily routine. Wealth, power and prestige are more important that the dignity of every human person. Wounding those who are already wounded by life through no fault of their own; are made to bear even greater burdens while political candidates argue over which of their opponents deserve more dirt and mud than given a chance to make a difference. The billion dollar funds of political action committees to hire bigger staff and push campaign after campaign to raise more money; while the voices of the voiceless are barely being spoken let alone heard.
This Gospel text is in St. Luke's, because Luke was a physician. A doctor who worked to cure and heal the sick. That is why Luke's Gospel is full of amazing stories of Jesus as the Great Physician. Those who found themselves broken physically, mentally and in terms of social exclusion; found in Jesus, the presence of God who welcomed them and offered them a new beginning. Jesus calls Christians to use those amazing gifts that God gave us to do the work of ministry and make a difference in the world. We are offered the opportunity today to decide if we are going to be the fulfillment of these words that began Jesus' ministry.
As we listen to this Sunday's Liturgy of the Word, and respond by receiving the nourishing Presence of Christ in the Eucharist; let us ponder how we might prayerfully begin our work of the ministry of healing and reconciliation.
Amen.
Prayers
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our
Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News
of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive
the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 215).
Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this
land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as
their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to
eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those
who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law
and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of
us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 826).
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