FIRST READING
Nehemiah 8:2—4a, 5—6, 8—10
Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, which consisted of men, women, and those children old enough to understand. 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. Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. 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. 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. Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand what was read. 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. 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!"
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15 (see John 6:63c)
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
SECOND READING
Longer Form 1 Corinthians 12:12—30
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. 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.
Now the body is not a single part, but many. 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. 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. 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 placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. If they were all one part, where would the body be? But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I do not need you," nor again the head to the feet, "I do not need you." Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, 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, 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, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.
Now you are Christ's body, and individually parts of it. 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. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
or:
Shorter Form 1 Corinthians 12:12—14, 27
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. 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. Now the body is not a single part, but many. You are Christ's body, and individually parts of it.
ALLELUIA
see Luke 4:18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, and to proclaim liberty to captives.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Luke 1:1—4; 4:14—21
Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.
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 and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: 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, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. 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. He said to them, "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."
REFLECTIONS:
What would you give to be filled with the knowledge of God's truth and goodness? The four gospels point us to the very source of truth itself in the person of Jesus Christ. Luke's gospel, especially his introduction, is somewhat unique among the four gospels. Luke speaks in the first person. He addresses his friend, Theophilus, a name which means "beloved of God". In so many words Luke says, I am writing to you the most incredible story humankind has known. And this story is utterly believable because it comes from reliable firsthand witnesses who knew Jesus personally, heard his teaching, saw his miracles, and witnessed his death, resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of the Father in heaven. The word "gospel" literally means "good news". The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ and the freedom he has won for us through his death and resurrection. The gospel is God's word for us today! It's is a living word that has power to change and transform lives, and bring freedom and healing to those who receive it as the word of God. Do you want to be changed and transformed by God's living word? Listen to his Son and receive his word with expectant faith and trust.Luke tells us that Jesus began his public ministry in his own land of Galilee where he was raised as a child. Jesus' first public words in his hometown synagogue amazed both his family and townspeople. It was customary for the president of the synagogue to call on different people each week to read from the Hebrew bible and say a few words. Jesus read the text from the prophet Isaiah that explained how the Messiah would come in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring freedom to those oppressed by sin and evil (see Isaiah 61:1-2). Jesus told his audience that he himself had been annointed to fulfill this prophecy. Only a madman or the Messiah would dare to make such a claim! Jesus not only got their startled attention, he awoke in his people fresh hope that God was indeed fulfilling his promises to them. Luke tells us that the people received Jesus' words favorably and wondered what would become of "Joseph's son". In Jesus we see the grace and power of God in action. His gracious words bring hope, joy, and favor to all who were ready to receive him. Are you hungry for God's word?Jesus came for our sake and for our salvation. He came to set us free from the worst tyranny possible – slavery to sin and the fear of death, and the eternal destruction of both body and soul. God's power alone can save us from hopelessness, fear, spiritual emptyness, and despair. The gospel of salvation is "good news" for us today. Do you know the joy and freedom of the gospel?"Lord Jesus, you are the fulfillment of all our hopes and dreams. Through the gift of your Holy Spirit you bring us truth, life, and freedom. Fill me with the joy of the gospel and inflame my heart with a burning love for you and a deep thirst for your word."
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