3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
This Sunday we celebrate the 3rd Sunday of ordinary time as well as Word of God Sunday. Today’s readings make an unmistakable directive that we are to seek joy that comes from faith. They provide insight to how we are to go about instilling joy into our the core of our being. In our first reading from Nehemiah, we find ourselves at the Feast of Tabernacles at a time of true revival. God had intervened and had brought the Israelites back to Jerusalem. Not only had they returned home from captivity in Babylon, but God had miraculously provided all the resources needed to rebuild the temple and the walls of the inner city. In the Psalm we are reminded again of the power of God’s Word as it “refreshes the soul”. His Words bring “Spirit and Life.” They provide “rejoicing to the heart,” “enlightenment”, a “fear of the Lord which is pure, enduring forever”.
All of these reminders point us to God’s Holy Word, which is the ultimate source of the overflowing joy we need to not only rejoice, but to effectively point others to our Lord and Savior the reason for the hope and joy that is within us. In our Second Reading from 1 Corinthians, we see how our joy is to be lived out. We are reminded that our church the body of Christ is made up of many unique individuals, all with unique talents & purposes. We are instructed that there can be no divisions, but rather shared concern for one another. True joy is found only when we focus upon others, allowing our joy to flow into their lives both in their good times and their challenges. In the Gospels for this Sunday and next, Luke tells the story of Jesus’ visit to his hometown of Nazareth. Luke wants to make very clear to his readers what drives Jesus the Prophet from Galilee and what is the goal of his action. We as Christians need to know in what direction the Spirit pushes Jesus, since following him means that we are walking down the same path as he did and often times it will be in opposition to what is going on in the world. With the Spirit poured upon him at his baptism, Jesus would proclaim freedom for captives, sight for the blind, and help for those who are oppressed. When Jesus spoke, hearts and minds turned to God and health of mind, body and spirit were restored.
There is an immediate life implication in this gospel passage that is easy to overlook and that is the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jesus and the Church in order to bring the good news of hope and joy to us and we are called to bring it to the people of our time and place. The “today” of Jesus that the Gospel speaks about is not only the day he was speaking. It is our “today” as well here right where we are in 2025. As pilgrims of hope in this Holy Year we are called to bring the joy of Christ that we have as people of faith into the lives of others. Wherever we are that is our challenge it is the challenge of hope filled joyful people who proclaim freedom for captives, sight for the blind, and help for those who are oppressed.
Fullerton T 