Third Sunday in Ordinary Time ‘C’

Today’s Gospel, presenting Jesus’ inaugural speech in the synagogue of Nazareth and outlining His theology of total liberation, marks a great moment in Jewish history. The Scripture readings for today focus our attention on the importance and liberating power of the Word of God as “sacramental,” making God present in our midst. The readings challenge us to listen to the Word, accept it into our hearts, then put it into practice as we live out our lives, liberating ourselves and others from all types of captivities.    

Today’s First Reading, taken from Nehemiah, and Luke’s Gospel both describe a public reading of Sacred Scripture which challenged the hearers to make a “fresh beginning” with a new outlook. In the First Reading, after rebuilding the Temple and restoring the city, Ezra was leading the people in a “Covenant renewal” ceremony by reading and interpreting the Law. 

The Second Reading, taken from Paul's first Letter to the Corinthians, reminds us that “Together we are Christ’s Body, but each of us is a different part of it.” This means that as different parts of Christ’s Body, we each have a share, as His instruments, in bringing the freeing and saving mission of Christ to our world in our times. 

Today’s Gospel describes how, on a Sabbath, Jesus stood before the people in the synagogue of His hometown, Nazareth, reading and interpreting what Isaiah had prophesied about the Messiah and His mission. Jesus claimed that He was the One sent “to bring glad tidings to the poor, liberation to captives, recovery of sight to the blind and freedom for the oppressed”. To the great amazement and disbelief of His own townsmen, Jesus declared that Isaiah’s prophecy was being fulfilled at that very moment “in their hearing," because the Prophet was foretelling and describing Jesus' mission and ministry. Jesus’ mission would be to give liberation to everyone who would listen to His “Good News,” accept it, and put it into practice. Luke reports that the initial reaction was the people’s surprise at the power and eloquence of someone of their own town.  

As members of Christ’s Mystical Body, we share in the freeing, saving mission of Jesus. But we are all sinners. We need Jesus Christ to set us free. We are often blinded by our bad habits, and need of financial security. But once we receive true liberation from Christ, we have to share it with those we encounter in our daily lives, families, neighborhoods, parishes and workplaces.  

Today’s Gospel tells us that Jesus performed miracles because He was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. May we be ready to become Spirit-filled instruments of Christ’s saving freedom.