Today's Gospel Reading - January 27, 2013 with Reflection

1^ST READING - Nehemiah 8:2-4, 5-6, 8-10

P S A L M - Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15

R: Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

7 [8] The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. (R) 8 [9] The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye. (R) 9 [10] The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true, all of them just. (R) 14 [15] Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (R)

2^ND READING - 1 Corinthians 12:12-30

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, and to proclaim liberty to captives.

Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

1 Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and  ministers of the word have handed them down to us, 3 I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. 4: 14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. 15 He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. 16 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 17 and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: 18“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, 19 and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” 20 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. 21 He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

SABBATH

YOU ARE THE ONE

One day, the employees of a large company were greeted with a sign on the front door that said: “Yesterday the person who has been hindering your growth in this company died. We invite you to join the wake in the gym.”

Everyone was sad to hear that one of their colleagues had died, but after a while, they started asking who this person might be. They went to the gym to pay their last respects, wondering, “Who is this person who was hindering my progress? Well, at least he’s no longer here!”

One by one, the employees got closer to the coffin. When they looked inside, they suddenly became speechless. They stood over the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if touched in the deepest part of their soul. Inside the coffin was a mirror. Everyone who looked inside it could see himself. And next to the mirror was a sign that said, “There is only one person who is capable of setting limits to your growth: YOU.”

Today’s Gospel is an occasion of induction, inauguration and anointing. Jesus came home to Nazareth, his hometown, and entered the synagogue. In the midst of everyone listening, Jesus embraced the mission He was sent to accomplish. After reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah, Jesus boldly declared, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” He was the one all the prophets and laws of the Old Testament spoke of. When everyone had fallen away on the sidelines, Jesus kept His hands on the reign, for He is the one.

Have you had that moment in your life when God confirmed you in your unique mission? Have you embraced that mission? Just like the story above, “you” are the only person who can really define your life and your happiness — not your circumstances, not your fortune.

Your life does not have to change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your job changes. Your circumstances may change — they are beyond your control — but your response to these changes depends on you. Fr. Joel Jason

REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you just flowing or floating along the river of life? Swim with the opposite tide. Remember, only dead things float along the river.

Lord, thank You for the wonder of my being. Help me discover my uniqueness and summon the strength I have as a child of God. Guide me as I chart my destiny to the best of my abilities.

St. Angela Merici, virgin, pray for us.

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