Your Scroll

3rd Sunday In Ordinary Time 24 January 2016

First reading   Nehemiah 8:2-6,8-10
Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, consisting of men, women, and children old enough to understand. This was the first day of the seventh month. On the square before the Water Gate, in the presence of the men and women, and children old enough to understand, he read from the book from early morning till noon; all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden dais erected for the purpose. In full view of all the people – since he stood higher than all the people – Ezra opened the book; and when he opened it all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people raised their hands and answered, ‘Amen! Amen!’; then they bowed down and, face to the ground, prostrated themselves before the Lord. And Ezra read from the Law of God, translating and giving the sense, so that the people understood what was read.

Then Nehemiah – His Excellency – and Ezra, priest and scribe and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all the people, ‘This day is sacred to the Lord your God. Do not be mournful, do not weep.’ For the people were all in tears as they listened to the words of the Law.

He then said, ‘Go, eat the fat, drink the sweet wine, and send a portion to the man who has nothing prepared ready. For this day is sacred to our Lord. Do not be sad: the joy of the Lord is your stronghold.’


Psalm                                                                            Psalm 18:8-10,15                    

Second reading                                                          1 Corinthians 12:12-30

Just as a human body, though it is made up of many parts, is a single unit because all these parts, though many, make one body, so it is with Christ. In the one Spirit we were all baptised, Jews as well as Greeks, slaves as well as citizens, and one Spirit was given to us all to drink.

Nor is the body to be identified with any one of its many parts. If the foot were to say, ‘I am not a hand and so I do not belong to the body’, would that mean that it stopped being part of the body? If the ear were to say, ‘I am not an eye, and so I do not belong to the body’, would that mean that it was not a part of the body? If your whole body was just one eye, how would you hear anything? If it was just one ear, how would you smell anything?

Instead of that, God put all the separate parts into the body on purpose. If all the parts were the same, how could it be a body? As it is, the parts are many but the body is one. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I do not need you’, nor can the head say to the feet, ‘I do not need you.’

What is more, it is precisely the parts of the body that seem to be the weakest which are the indispensable ones; and it is the least honourable parts of the body that we clothe with the greatest care. So our more improper parts get decorated in a way that our more proper parts do not need. God has arranged the body so that more dignity is given to the parts which are without it, and that there may not be disagreements inside the body, but that each part may be equally concerned for all the others. If one part is hurt, all parts are hurt with it. If one part is given special honour, all parts enjoy it.

Now you together are Christ’s body; but each of you is a different part of it. In the Church, God has given the first place to apostles, the second to prophets, the third to teachers; after them, miracles, and after them the gift of healing; helpers, good leaders, those with many languages. Are all of them apostles, or all of them prophets, or all of them teachers? Do they all have the gift of miracles, or all have the gift of healing? Do all speak strange languages, and all interpret them?

Gospel                                                                        Luke 1:1-4,4:14-21
Seeing that many others have undertaken to draw up accounts of the events that have taken place among us, exactly as these were handed down to us by those who from the outset were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, I in my turn, after carefully going over the whole story from the beginning, have decided to write an ordered account for you, Theophilus, so that your Excellency may learn how well founded the teaching is that you have received.  
Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him, returned to Galilee; and his reputation spread throughout the countryside. He taught in their synagogues and everyone praised him. 
He came to Nazara, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day as he usually did. He stood up to read and they handed him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll he found the place where it is written:

The spirit of the Lord has been given to me,for he has anointed me.He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor,to proclaim liberty to captivesand to the blind new sight,to set the downtrodden free,to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.

He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the assistant and sat down. And all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to speak to them, ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.’

Reflection

By Anabelle Payod-Balla

Scroll (from the Old French escroe orescroue), is a roll of papyrus parchment,or paper containing writing.

I love reading and sharing inspirational books, quotations and prayers. I regularly feed my Facebook page with positive posts, mostly prayers. I want to proclaim God's love for all of us through this channel, hoping I can inspire at least one soul a day to praise His name, to come near Him.

My posts are mostly coming from other people, from other sources. I only have few of my own. I could have more if only I can spend more time reflecting and listening to God's messages to me.

The prophets and disciples have written their stories, lessons, and visions on scrolls. Jesus has read and taught using the scroll that contains passages from prophet Isaiah. Scrolls carry important information, valuable teachings and lessons from different people in early days.

We all have our own scrolls, our very own stories and visions. Some may have physical scrolls that they share to others, some may have it only in their minds, unorganized and unshared. Where is your scroll? If Jesus will read and teach from your very own scroll, what important information or valuable passage He can find there?

It is time to let others know God's loving messages to you. Share your lessons and visions! They might heal a soul, inspire someone to be better or even save a life, a relationship. Others may echo your message, multiply it and may reach many more souls.

Prayer
Father, please allow me to be Your pen and Your scroll. Use me to send Your love letter to the world. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

What News?

First Reading: Acts 4:32-35

The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favour was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

Second Reading: 1 John 5:1-6

Beloved:

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the Father loves also the one begotten by him. In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood. The Spirit is the one that testifies, and the Spirit is truth.

Gospel: John 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them.Jesus came, although the doors were locked,  and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

Reflection
By Bernard Borja

Did you ever have times in your life when you received very good news and you want everybody to know about it immediately especially your loved ones?

I remember the time when I have successfully got my first job. After the final interview, the moment when the HR manager said the magic words “You’re hired!” my heart leapt and I was so excited to tell my friends and my family about it. I sent messages to my friends and they congratulated me shortly after. I went straight home to tell my parents about it. When I saw my mom, I smiled and she asked “How was it?” then I said one of the most sweetest sounding words to her ears she longed to hear that time, “I got the job!” I saw in her eyes the same excitement I had when I heard the magic words of the manager. She was even teary eyed as she said “Thanks be to God!” It was like she was praying for it for a long time and after six months of waiting and nagging me to find a job, it has finally paid off.

It was really a very happy and peaceful feeling when you see someone you told about good news, excited and heart leaping. It is like a complete celebration because it is shared especially with someone you love. But what if the reaction is somewhat different?

I have a friend back in high school who was an average when it comes to studies. He does not fail his subjects nor got high marks. Before graduating, we applied for the most famous universities for our college degrees. We were also together when we personally checked the list of qualified applicants in one of the most prestigious universities. My name was not there, but his name was. I was a little insecure but I was happy for him because he passed the qualifying exams. He was very excited to tell his parents as he called them through phone. He was smiling as he talks on the phone to his parents. His smile slowly fades moments before he hung up. I asked him what happened. Then he said, “Wag ko daw sila lolokohin. Alam naman nila na hindi ko kaya yun. Siguro daw nangopya o nagkodigo ako kung totoo man na pumasa ako.”

Ouch! I was very sad hearing that but how much more my friend?

I wonder what the disciples felt that time when they told the others, especially Thomas, about Jesus raised to life. More than that, how did Jesus feel about it? The disciples were so excited and were enthusiastically telling everyone that Jesus is alive. But here comes Thomas, with a lot of negativity in mind, telling them that it might be a mistake.

When we hear positive news from our friends, how do we react? Sometimes we connect their news to who they were or what their stories are. Just like in last week’s Gospel, are we focusing on the dead or defeated Christ? Should we focus on the resurrected and victorious Christ instead?

Jesus wants to give us happiness through the good news of His victory. This same good news is what He used when He finally revealed Himself to the disciples. And this brings us peace in our hearts similar to receiving good news that we are longing to hear.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing Your message of peace unto us. May we be more open to receive Your good news and that we may enthusiastically share it with one another. May we bring the same peace to others who have doubts in their hearts, that they may open their eyes to see Jesus standing right before them. All this we pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen.