Introduction In our search for happiness as human beings we discover a need for belonging. Usually our family, place and country of birth give us the initial sense of belonging. The people of Israel had a strong tradition which told them that they were the chosen people of God. Their belief helped them to face whatever came their way with an assurance which went beyond who and what they were as a nation in the world. Their confidence was not so much in themselves but in the Lord God who had chosen them as His own. The Entrance Antiphon for today was a constant refrain from within their hearts: Sing a new song to the Lord, all the earth. Truth and beauty surround Him; He lives in holiness and glory.
The First Proclamation On the first day of the seventh month, therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, which consisted of men, women, and those children old enough to understand. Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate, he read out of the book from daybreak till midday, in the presence of the men, the women, and those children old enough to understand; and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law. Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion; at his right side stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, and on his left Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, Meshullam. Ezra opened the scroll so that all the people might see it (for he was standing higher up than any of the people); and, as he opened it, all the people rose. Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people, their hands raised high, answered, “Amen, amen!” Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the Lord, their faces to the ground. Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand what was read. Then (Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and) Ezra the priest-scribe (and the Levites who were instructing the people) said to all the people: “Today is holy to the Lord your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep”-for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. He said further: “Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our Lord. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!”
Prayerful Awareness It is said that the people of God had their teachers and prophets to instruct them. The first proclamation of today is the first or one of the rare instances where the scroll containing the law of the Lord was read for all to hear. It moved the people who were listening to tears. They heard as if the Lord Himself was speaking to them. They would have realized in their hearts it was the obedience to these laws that knit them into being a people. They belonged to one another. To recognize in others their own brothers and sisters was cause for celebration. Rejoicing in the Lord who chose them to be His people was indeed their strength.
The Gospel Proclamation Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. 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 and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: “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, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” 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. He said to them, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Gaze at Jesus As Jesus stood up to read, a passage from the prophet Isaiah was given to Him. It was a passage about the coming Messiah. Jesus is in fact announcing that He Himself is that Messiah. He applies the words of the prophet to Himself. “The spirit of the Lord has been given to me [at his baptism], for he has anointed me.” He identifies His mission as specifically to the poor, the captives or prisoners, the blind and the oppressed. These are the ones who are in need of a savior. The law in the scriptures gave peoplehood to those who kept the law. The promises contained in the scriptures gave them hope. Jesus presents Himself as the promise fulfilled. Jesus Christ invites us to become more than a people. Let us read the second proclamation.
The Second Proclamation As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.
Our sonship The problem with our lives is that it is so individualistic. We try to manage things on our own. And that is even true of the way we try to live our Christian lives. St. Paul through divine revelation tells us that we are one body in Christ. Each member interacts in a constant giving and receiving. For it is in mutual giving and receiving as one Body that we enable each other to experience the freedom of oneness which Jesus wishes us to have.
Prayer Starter Lord Jesus Christ! The thirst for union and communion is the gift You give us through the Holy Spirit. May we become constantly aware and be submissive to His direction.
