Third
Sunday in Ordinary Time
National
Bible Sunday
Neh 8: 2-4. 5-6. 8-10 / Ps 19 / 1 Cor 12: 12 –
30 / Lk 1: 1-4 – 4:14-21
We
always find joy every time we receive an invitation. That is why we Filipinos
like to be invited. Tampuhans usually
happen when someone is forgotten in the list of those invited. Quarrels usually
happen when he receives an invitation while you do not. We always find joy
every time we receive an invitation because to be invited means to be chosen, to
feel special, and honored.
In our
first reading today which took place after the Israelites were exiled in
Babylon, Ezra, the priest, invites the people to renew their covenant with God
now that they have settled once again in Jerusalem and Judah. Ezra invites the
people to be grateful to the Lord for delivering them from the hands of the
Babylonians.
In our
second reading today, St. Paul invites the Corinthians to be appreciative and
grateful to God for the diverse gifts He has given to the Church. He invites
them to use these gifts for the Body of Christ and not for quarrel and
competition.
Our
Gospel today which is the beginning of the Gospel of Luke, the evangelist
invites Theophilus to read his “orderly account” since there were already many
witnesses and testimonies about this Jesus of Nazareth. Through the Gospel,
Luke invites Theophilus to know the truth of the many information which he has
received.
This is
also true in the episode of Jesus in the synagogue today. As he claims the
fulfillment of Scriptures in his very self, he invites people to listen to him
for he is the anointed of God to preach the good news. However, we know that
the people’s reaction was indifference for they cannot accept someone like them
to become the Anointed of God.
This
afternoon we shall formally begin the 51st International Eucharistic
Congress here in Cebu. Everyone is invited to come to Cebu not just in order to
experience the white sand beaches or taste the “crispy – licous” lechon and
sweet mangoes. This International gathering invites everyone to have a deeper
appreciation of the Eucharist. It is the hope of this congress that we look at
the Eucharist not just a mere Catholic obligation every Sunday. Rather, we
consider the Eucharist as God’s way of inviting us to partake, to savor his
very precious gift – the gift of His Son’s life giving body and blood. Every
Eucharistic celebration is an invitation for us to rejoice because despite our
sinfulness, Jesus continually offers his very life. Every Eucharistic
celebration is a concrete proof that indeed God continues to love us eis telos (to the end)!
We can
find two Greek words in the term, “eucharist” – “eu” (good) and “charis”
(gift). Thus, in every Eucharistic celebration, we are invited to receive a
very good gift, a “eu charis” – the gift
of Jesus’ abiding presence in our lives. I hope and pray that the reason we go
to Mass is not because we are running out of money, of beauty, and of time to
get a partner for life that is why we ask God to help us. Rather, I hope and
pray that you are all gathered here today as a response to God’s invitation to
enjoy the “eu charis,” the good gift
who is Jesus Christ, our Lord. For every time we respond to God’s invitation in
the Eucharist, we are not only chosen and made special. Rather, we are loved
and redeemed. Amen.
Photo taken from http://www.naylandandwiston.net/
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