11 - 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Summary

Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 - Ezra reads the Law

1 Corinthians 12:12-30 - one body, many parts (12-26); application to Christ (27-30)

Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21 - Jesus' ministry in Galilee where He read the Scripture from Isaiah

Gospel: Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21 (Jesus' ministry in Galilee)

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

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, 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.”

What is...?

Galilee

It is a region located in today's northern Israel and southern Lebanon.
This is where Nazareth (where Jesus grew up) is located

Nazareth

Where St Joseph and Mother Mary lived
Where Angel Gabriel appeared to Mother Mary (the annunciation)
Where Jesus grew up.
This is located in today's Israel's northern district.
It is near the Sea of Galilee (also known as Lake Tiberias)

Synagogue

A place for prayer and study of scripture. In the time of Jesus, this is open to all Jews where one (who is not a priest) can read the scripture to the assembly. This is different from the temple (where the Jews offered sacrifices).

Courtesy of FaithTwinCities

Who is/are...?

Nehemiah

He used his influence as governor of Judah to serve God and the fledgling Jewish community in Jerusalem.
He asked the king for permission to return and rebuild the city of Jerusalem.
He helped Ezra to promulgate the law of Moses when the Jews returned from Babylonian exile.
He was responsible for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.
More information here.

Ezra

A scribe / priest, who returned to Jerusalem and helped the Jews to live out the law of Moses.
More information

Corinthians

People who lived in Corinth, located in south-central Greece.
Paul’s first letter to the church of Corinth provides us with a fuller insight into the life of an early Christian community of the first generation than any other book of the New Testament. More information.

Luke

He was a physician. He was a disciple of St Paul.
He wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts (or Acts of the Apostles).
Short video about St Luke (2 minutes 21 seconds)

Theophilus

This can be translated as "Love of God" or "Friend of God".
It is the name or honorary title of a person to whom the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles were addressed.