Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jan 14 2025

Scripture Study for

Isaiah speaks about the reversal of the fortunes of Israel; the former times of hardship are contrasted with the present experience of salvation. The nation had been overrun by foreigners, but now that the land has been returned to Israel, the hardships that accompanied defeat and occupation have been lifted and the darkness is dispelled. The darkness included social disintegration, political col

lapse, and religious devastation. The reversal of fortunes is characterized by light. Salvation came when God dispelled the darkness and burst upon the land with the brightness of shining light. Truly the fortunes have been reversed, and the saving grace of God has taken over the world.

The Corinthian church was rife with bickering and pettiness. The natural differences that existed in the group had degenerated into rivalry. If left unchecked this rivalry could develop into serious divisions, even schism. In his appeal for unity, Paul addresses the Corinthians as brothers (and sisters), indicating that he considers them as companion members of the Christian community. Groups within the community claimed allegiance to various individuals. Paul insists that since Christ cannot be divided, neither the teachings nor the personal characteristics of religious leaders can be allowed to rival their allegiance to Christ.

John’s imprisonment signaled both the end of his ministry and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. It was not Jesus’ intent to pick up where John left off. Although he preached the same repentance as did the Baptist, he did it in fulfillment of the prophecies rather than in anticipation of a future event as John did. His first move was to call some followers. Two sets of brothers—Simon and Andrew, James and John—were called away from their occupation. It should be noted that these men were called; they did not initiate their own discipleship, as followers of rabbis normally did. The reign of God had come. The newly called disciples were witnesses of its appearance.

Jan 08 2025

Scripture Study for

The Isaian passage refers to the devastation wrought by the Assyrians around the year 732 B.C., when the northernmost tribal areas of Zebulun and Naphtali were annexed by the empire (2 Kings 15:29). This area, which included several non-Israelites, was referred to as the Galilee (District) of the Gentiles. The full oracle, which continues beyond the Lectionary reading, announces that the degradation of that event has come to an end with the birth of a new Davidic king (8:5–6). This king will surely take back for Israel the northern lands, just as Gideon rescued these northern tribes from the hands of the Midianites back in the days of the Judges (Judges 6–7).

Paul this week attends to divisions that have arisen within the church at Corinth. These reflect a fundamental misunderstanding about the nature of the church as a whole. Whereas in the larger society, it was customary to “belong” to a particular teacher or political or social group, distinct from others who belonged to other groups, the church of Christ is formed around Christ alone, and it is he who unites all Christians in “the same mind and in the same purpose.” To divide the church along factional lines is, for Paul, to deny its special nature, which is not meant to mirror the larger society.

Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth lies to the southwest of the Sea of Galilee, whereas Capernaum is situated to the north, in the middle of the former area of Naphtali. The Evangelist’s citation of the Isaiah passage points to Jesus’ identity as the long-expected Davidic king who has brought salvation not only to Israel but also to the Gentiles. Jesus begins his public ministry by preaching repentance and the reign of God—the former part of the acceptance of the latter. Jesus’ first act is to call together his coworkers who, having learned from him, will help him cast as wide a net as possible for the proclamation of the kingdom of heaven.

Jan 08 2025

Called to Follow, No Matter the Cost

Imagine you are Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. How do you confront him when he tells you about this call of Jesus. “What? You’re leaving fishing? You love fishing! You love being on the water! You’re going to follow who? A carpenter’s son from Nazareth? Nazareth! Really?” But you’ve never seen Peter’s bearded face so radiant, at least not since the day he married your daughter. Since her death, inescapable gloom has engulfed him. Despondency has surrounded him like a dark cloud on the Sea of Galilee. He is such a passionate man. He’s been really difficult to live with.

Now? Something has changed. Joy floods his eyes. Love fills his words. Something new overflows from his heart. This Jesus hasn’t asked him to leave fishing, he exclaims, but tells him that he’ll be fishing for “men”! What in the world does “fishing for men” mean? How can he ask that much from Simon? Does he know how broken he is inside or does he only see those strong muscles? Does this Jesus understand that the big fisherman really doesn’t handle loss very well?

You try to get Andrew to change his brother’s mind. Andrew is the more level-headed one. But he says that he’s going , too. He says that we can trust this Jesus. Then he sings, “The Lord is my light and my salvation.” As he turns to go, he shouts, “He might be the one! He could be the Messiah that we have been waiting for!” Then he skips down the path. Andrew, sensible Andrew, skips! You’ve heard of mountains skipping like rams, but—Andrew?

And yet worry seizes you—Simon is leaving all? How will we eat? Who will run the business? You’ve got so much fear. So much anxiety. It just might make you sick.

Consider/Discuss

The call of Jesus is an unrelenting call to leave everything behind. What worries do we have about that? In what ways is it hard to trust, for our own life or for that of others? How can that anxiety make us sick?
In the middle of Isaiah’s oracle of gloom and doom, the prophet suddenly describes a new radiance that will dawn. When you have been in a deep darkness, what does it feel like to see a great light? Do you ever feel so much joy that you feel like skipping?

Living and Praying with the Word

Lord, you have come to the shore of our lives. You have called us by name. Thank you for the honor of following you. On our own, we’ve got nothing. With you, all is possible. Help us to trust that where you lead will be abundant and rich. Hold our worries in your hands and deliver us from all anxiety, for your call is our call, your path is our path. Let us never be separated from you.

Dec 13 2024

God’s Word Enlivens the Spirit

Sometimes the Sunday scripture readings pass by barely noticed. The words read don’t get inside, perhaps because we are preoccupied or worrying over something. But every so often the reader and the words read become one in a way that enters into our heart. One such moment is recorded in today’s first reading.

This scene took place over five hundred years before the time of Jesus. The reader was Ezra the priest, who was standing up on a platform in an open place in the city of Jerusalem. The magnificent temple built by Solomon had been destroyed in 587 BC and the people had been taken off into exile in Babylon. In 538 they had been allowed to return, and now, for the first time, they were gath

ered to hear their priest Ezra read to them the book of the law, the Torah. This book taught them how God had saved them and how God wanted them to live. The people listened for hours, tears running down their faces, as Ezra read and explained to them the meaning of the words for their lives. These words fell upon the hearts of the listeners, penetrating the thick and hardened covering that exile had created, eventually causing their tears to flow. The word of God had done its work, bringing them back to life.

Sometimes rebirth happens gently, as we heard today; at other times, God’s word functions as shock therapy.

Consider/Discuss

Can you remember a time when God’s word penetrated your being?
Do you give God’s word any opportunity to make its home in you?
Have you ever celebrated God’s word speaking to you by going to “eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks”?

Responding to the Word

Lord God, you have given us your revealed word as spiritual food to nourish your people, and to strengthen your church as the Body of your Son Jesus Christ. May we recognize and partake of this food when we gather at the table of the Word.

Dec 13 2024

Scripture Study for

Ezra was the religious leader of the Jewish community that had recently returned from the Babylonian exile. Nehemiah led the people back and then supervised the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. During a liturgical event, Ezra, acting in his capacity as priest, opens the scroll and interprets the law for those present. For their part, the people stand in respect for the words that they hear. His reading is more liturgical than historical, with some of the details of the narrative meant for future generations that will read the account as part of their own liturgical recommitment to the law.

Paul continues his instruction on the diversity found within the community by using the analogy of the body. In the body, each part has its own unique function, but all parts work for the good of the whole. This figure of speech characterizes several aspects of the ideal Christian community. It portrays unity in diversity; it underscores the absence of competition among members, since no one activity is elevated above the others; it underscores the interdependence that exists within the community. The unity within the community is based on common baptism. Cultural and gender differences will remain, but they will not determine one’s membership within the community.

The author of the Gospel reading claims that, though not an eyewitness to the events that he recounts, his reports are part of the authoritative tradition of the church and therefore can be trusted. He then tells how Jesus returned to Nazareth, his hometown, and attended the synagogue service there. After reading a passage from Isaiah, Jesus made a bold claim: “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” In this way he announced that he was the one filled with the Spirit as spoken of by the prophet; he was the one who would inaugurate the hoped-for year of deliverance; he was the one who would launch the long awaited era of fulfillment.