3rdSunday of Ordinary Time year C 2019:
Today the scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing. These are powerful words from Christ. He is telling the people in the gospel that, behold, God’s promises have been fulfilled. Indeed, this is good news. This is at the very heart of the entire Gospel of Christ: God has sent Jesus to fulfill the promises of God that he made in the Old Testament.
What are those promises? Glad tidings, liberty, sight, freedom, a year of Blessing from God. I’m sure that the people in the synagogue that day may have been a bit skeptical. Who is this guy to say all this? But, I can’t help but think that their hearts may have lifted at the same time. Maybe? I mean, who among us wouldn’t want these amazing things promised in the scroll of Isaiah? I want glad tidings, liberty, sight, freedom, blessing. But, we might have the same kind of skepticism in our own hearts: can God really give me these things? Will God give them to me?
Today, this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing. Today. Let this be a new day. Listen again to the words of Christ. Know that he is not simply a historical figure. He is present in our world right now, today. This reading is just as important for us today as it was 2000 years ago. For, the gospel is not a dead letter, it’s the living voice of Christ that continues to speak to us right now.
This makes me want to encourage everyone to spend time with the Bible. I know that the Bible can seem intimidating sometimes. How do we read it? Where to start? Which Bible should I read? It can seem complicated and confusing even to start. Then there’s the Bible itself. Sometimes there are wonderful stories about God’s gifts and blessings and the miracles of Christ. But, there are also a lots of long stories about tabernacle construction and things that might not make sense. Reading the Bible is not easy.
But, it is so worth it. The beginning of our Gospel passage today is actually the beginning of St. Luke’s gospel. He tells us why he has written the gospel. He tells Theophilus that he has written an ordered account of Jesus’ life so that “you might realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.” This is why we have the bible. So that we might come to know the certainty about the teachings of Christ. But, it also works the other way: if we don’t read the Bible we will have uncertainty about Christ and his teachings. This is why it’s so important to read and study the Bible. It gives us insight into the mind and heart of Christ.
You all know it’s winter outside right now, right? The high temperature on Wednesday is going to be -2 degrees. So, I happen to know that all of us will probably be stuck inside for the next several months. Why not spend some time reading the Bible? We have about a month until Lent begins, but why not start early with some spiritual practices, especially reading the Bible.
In the Message in a Minute this week, I give an outline on the practice of lectio divina. This is way of prayerfully reading the bible. Maybe pick up the MIM if you want more info.
St. Luke addresses his gospel to someone named Theophilus. We don’t know who this is. A couple years ago a read a fiction novel, where the author dreamed up a life story for this man. It was an interesting book. He is mysterious. But, his name is not mysterious. It means: person who loves God. So, the Bible is written for anyone who loves God, so that we can grow in our faith. Spend time with the bible so that “today this scripture passage” may be fulfilled in your hearing.
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