Homily Cycle C 01-27-19 

Readings for the 3^rd Sunday in Ordinary http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012719.cfm

As you are well aware our weather recently hasn’t been the best.  Mark Twain said, “Everybody complains about the weather and nobody can do anything about it.”   Some people in Scotland have developed a great system for Weather Forecasting.

There is an Inn at the foot of the Ben Nevis Highland in Scotland and the people who live near the Ben Nevis Inn can see the Weather Forecasting System:

Today’s Scripture readings present a powerful image, in the selection from Nehemiah we heard, “Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly … he read from the book from daybreak till midday….

[about 6 hours, I promise not to do that toady], all the people listened attentively … and answered, Amen, amen…. All the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.”

Have you ever wept hearing or reading the Word of the Lord?  We prayed in song with our Responsorial Psalm, “Lord you have the WORDS of everlasting life.”  

Do you believe that with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your being that the WORDS of Scripture are of everlasting life?

WELL IT IS TRUE!

St. Paul reminds us that we are part of the Body of Christ, each one of us not only a part of it, BUT an important/vital part of the Body of Christ.  St. Luke writes his Gospel, ostensibly, to “ … most excellent Theophilus [lover of God].  He writes to all people who will listen.  How many members of your family would call you a “lover of God”?  Would you call yourself a “lover of God’?  If not, why not?

A LOVER OF GOD IS WHAT WE ARE CALLED TO BE, THAT IS WHY WE WERE BAPTIZED.  Today spend some time thinking about how you can nourish your relationship with God [who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit].  Where on your To-Do List is prayer time/ quiet time with the Lord?

The Spirit of the Lord rested upon Jesus; Jesus anointed us with the Spirit at our Baptism, strengthened us at our Confirmation and nourishes with the Eucharist.  Last Sunday Jesus changed water into wine, [wonderful news for the wine drinkers]; it was a superabundance of wine, and it points to God’s love for us – superabundant, beyond our wildest expectations.  Today we hear about Jesus preaching in the synagogue in Nazareth, where He proclaims that He is the anointed one of God, the Messiah.

One of the vital missions of our parish is to teach the faith, to accomplish that we have our (Religious Education Program) R.E.P. led by Mrs. Salabsky and our parish school by Mrs. Frio.  Catholic Schools Week starts today here and throughout the nation.  We celebrate our Catholic School, the precious gift it is to our families, our parish, our community, our country and the universal Church.

Our school educates saint and scholars, young girls & boys who know their faith, live their faith and are academically prepared to succeed in high school and beyond.  Today take some time to offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the teachers, staff, principal and students attending our parish school,

olphbeth.org 



Ezra proclaimed God’s Word, Jesus enfleshed God’s Word – we are called to Live God’s Word
and shine His light on the darkness in our world.  For a few minutes, in silence, reflect on the importance of God’s Word in your life and in your actions?  God’s Spirit is upon you, what are you going to do with it?

May God Be Praised!