FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Jeremiah 1:4-5.17-19

Ps 70

1Cor. 13:1-13

Luke 4:21-30

THE LOT OF A PROPHET

A prophet is the spokesperson of God. He speaks on behalf of God. Unfortunately, prophets are often not welcomed: they may be rejected, maltreated or persecuted, especially by their own kins: “No prophet is ever accepted in his own country,” Jesus tells his townsmen in today’s Gospel reading. This was the experience of Jesus himself and many prophets including Jeremiah.

The evangelist Luke continues the episode of the visit of Jesus to the synagogue of his hometown. He preached so well that the people marveled at his gracious words and eloquence. But this admiration was to turn into rage at him; their amazement quickly turned into hatred. Thus, they wanted to push him off the cliff on which their town was built. But Jesus walked through them and left.

Such treatment of men of God was not uncommon. Many years before Christ, the prophet Jeremiah was to have similar experience. In his vocation narrative presented in today’s first reading, God warned him. Since his mother’s womb, God had chosen him to be a prophet to the nations. But he was to face opposition and hostility. The people would fight against him, but they would not overcome him because God had made him a fortified city. The Lord would be with him to deliver him.

By virtue of our baptism, we too are prophets. We are to speak and proclaim the words of God to our contemporaries. But we must keep two things in mind. First, we will often face challenges, rejection, criticisms and oppositions. And yet, we should not be afraid because the Lord is with us. With God, we shall overcome. Second, we may have all it takes to be a good prophet; but without love, we are “simply a gong booming or a cymbal clashing”. Indeed, love is a gift that lasts forever, says St Paul in the second reading. Yes, love is everything and it changes everything. So, our prophetic mission must be manifested first of all through the patient and enduring love that we bear to one another. Let us ask God the grace to become courageous and authentic witnesses of his wonders in our world today. Amen

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Nehemiah 8:2-4, 5-6, 8-10

Psalm 19

1 Corinthians 12:12-30

Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Today, we celebrate the “Sunday of the Word of God”. The readings providentially underline the value of the Word of God and show that proclaiming the Word of God in a liturgical assembly is not alien to the Bible. In fact, we can rightly say that the Liturgy of the Word is “the setting in which this precious family heirloom was meant to be read, proclaimed and expounded” (Scott Hahn).

In effect, in Jewish communities, the Word of God was celebrated with much reverence and decorum. For instance, the first reading narrates the celebration of the Word of God read from the Book of the Law. After their return from exile, Ezra the priest read and explained the Word to the whole congregation of men, women and children assembled before him. It was a moment of renewal, consolation and rejoicing in the Lord their strength.

In the Gospel, Jesus is portrayed as a priest who gives his homily after the proclamation of the Gospel. After reading a passage from the prophet Isaiah, which could be considered the mission statement of the expected Messiah, Jesus said: “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” By applying the words of the prophet to himself, Jesus reveals that he is the Messiah. He has come to bring joy, consolation, freedom and wholeness to all.

It is interesting also to note that the people who listen to the Word of God are brought together by the action of the Holy Spirit. As such, the Word challenges us to go beyond our differences and every discriminatory consideration to build up communities of brothers and sisters who share one another’s joy and suffering: this is the meaning of the analogy with the human body in the second reading. For though we are many and different, we form the one Body of Christ, the Church.

Indeed, the Word of God is ever new to those who listen to it. It brings renewal and transformation to our lives. If we pay attention to it and allow it to take flesh in our situation, in our “today”, our lives will never be the same. Moreover, both the one who proclaims God’s Word and the one who listens to it must show great reverence towards it. May the Lord grant us the grace to listen to his Word with respect and undivided attention, especially at church, so that it may become a transforming power working in our lives. Amen

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Nehemiah 8:2-4A, 5-6, 8-10

Psalms 19:8, 9, 10, 15

1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27

Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

A BETTER WINE IS HERE!

Wine is the symbol of a festive celebration, of joy and gladness. Curiously, in all cultures, there is no wedding celebration without wine. The lack of wine or insufficient wine at a wedding celebration is embarrassing. It was in this context of wine running out at a wedding party at Cana that Jesus accomplished his first sign: he changed water into good wine. By so doing, he revealed his glory and his disciples believed in him (John 2,1-11). 

Even if in most cases, the spouses are the main characters in a weeding feast, in the case of Cana, Jesus is the hero in the story. He intervened to slide off the shame in the face of the new couple and restored their joy. Jesus’ concern for the couple and his intervention that saved their situation is echoed in the first reading. In fact, Isaiah’s prophecy expresses the covenant love between God and his people: as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so shall God rejoice in his people. Thus, through the prophet, the Lord announces the vindication and the restoration of the beauty, integrity and gladness of Zion. He will neither keep silent nor rest until the liberation and spiritual renewal of Israel is realized (Is. 62:1-5). 

As such, after the manifestation of the Son of God to the whole world through the Magi (Epiphany) and to the people of Israel (Baptism of the Lord), the abundance of good wine at Cana signifies the realization of God’s promises: in Jesus, God is renewing his covenant love with humanity. At Cana, Jesus reveals the generosity of God, who showers his heavenly gifts upon us. This is the generosity that St Paul sees as well in the manifold gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Let us, therefore, allow the Lord to be at the centre of our life. He is the only one who can fill our empty jars and change our situation. May he renew his covenant with us and reveal his glory in our lives, so that glory and honour may be given to his name. Amen

FEAST OF BAPTISM OF THE LORD, YEAR C

Isaiah 40:1-5.9-11

Psalm 103

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

Luke 3:15-16.21-22

YOU ARE MY SON

We celebrate today the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. This event is narrated in today's gospel. John was baptizing people in preparation for the coming of the expected Messiah. Though he was without sin, Jesus too came to be baptized by John. While he was praying after his baptism, three phenomena happened: the heavens were opened, the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove, and a voice was heard saying "You are my Son, in you I am well pleased".

The opening of the heavens reminds us of the shutting up of the gate of heaven as a result of the fall of Adam and Eve. Mankind was sent away from the presence of God. We were exiled. But now in Jesus Christ, God is reconciling us to himself. He has forgiven us and is opening once again the treasures of his gracious love for us. He is restoring that friendship and communion with himself. Our exile has come to an end. This is the glad tiding that is proclaimed in the first reading.

Moreover, the descent of the Holy Spirit reminds us of the Spirit of God that was moving above the waters at the time of creation as narrated in the Book of Genesis, while the dove reminds us of the end of the flood in the days of Noah. All this tells us that Jesus Christ had come to inaugurate a new era, the era of grace and mercy that makes us new creatures in the Holy Spirit. This is the Holy Spirit that we received at our baptism  making us sons and daughters of God. We are therefore renewed and our nature transformed. We can now lead new lives for God and in God, as St Paul tells us in the second reading.

To celebrate the Baptism of the Lord reminds us, therefore, of our own rebirth or regeneration through baptism. As we celebrate this feast today, let us thank God for the gift of the Sacrament of Baptism and ask him to renew his grace in us so that we may be faithful to our baptismal promises. Amen

Happy Feast to you all