Saturday, January 23, 2010

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Jesus at Nazareth
Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.
GOSPEL EXPLANATION

The Gospel

St. Luke wrote his gospel for Theophilus (which means beloved of God) so that he may be convinced of the certainty of the teachings he has received. Others before him have the done the same, that is, to write a narrative of the events surrounding Jesus of Nazareth.

...just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us....

The Latin for handed down is "tradere" from which the English word "tradition" comes from. St. Luke asserts that the content of his gospel comes from tradition.

(He) went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day.

The Sabbath or Saturday is the Lord's Day for the Jews. They would go to the synagogue for a religious service. There would be reading from the Law or the Prophets and followed by a homily. Any Hebrew adult male can be called to do this service, but the leaders of the synagogue generally gave this task to an expert in Scriptures.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me....

This literarily took place at his baptism when the Holy Spirit appeared in bodily form similar to that of a dove.

...Because he has anointed me....

The anointing with oil happens at the consecration of a king, of a priest and of a prophet.

Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.

With the coming of Jesus the era of grace, announced by the prophets has begun.

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