First Reading (Nehemiah 8,2-4a.5-6.8-10).
Reading of the Book of Nehemiah.
In those days, the priest Ezra presented the Law before the assembly of men, women and everyone who was capable of understanding. It was the first day of the seventh month. Thus, in the square in front of the Water Gate, Ezra read the book, from dawn until noon, in the presence of men, women and everyone who was capable of understanding. And all the people listened attentively to the reading of the book of the Law. 4a Ezra, the scribe, was standing on a wooden platform, erected for this purpose. Being in a higher place, he opened the book in view of all the people. And when he opened it, all the people stood up. Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people responded, raising their hands, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the Lord, with their faces to the ground. And they read clearly and distinctly the book of the Law of God and explained its meaning, so that the reading could be understood. The governor Nehemiah and Ezra, the priest and scribe, and the Levites who instructed the people, said to everyone, “This is a day dedicated to the Lord, your God! Do not be sad or weep”, for all the people wept when they heard the words of the Law. And Nehemiah said to them, “Go to your homes and eat rich meats, drink sweet drinks and share with those who have prepared nothing, for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be sad, for the joy of the Lord will be your strength.”
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Second Reading (1Cor 12,12-30).
Reading of the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brethren: As the body is one, though it has many members, and as all the members of the body, though they are many, form one body, so it is also with Christ. In fact, all of us, Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, were baptized in one Spirit, to form one body, and we all drink of one Spirit. In fact, the body is not made up of just one member, but of many members. If the foot says: “I am not a hand, therefore I do not belong to the body”, it does not therefore cease to belong to the body. And if the ear says: “I am not an eye, therefore I do not belong to the body”, it does not therefore cease to belong to the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the ear be? If the whole body could be heard, where would the sense of smell be? In fact, God arranged the members and each one of them in the body, as he wanted. If there was only one limb, where would the body be? There are many members, and yet one body. The eye cannot, therefore, say to the hand: “I don’t need you.” Not even the head can say to the feet: “I don’t need you.” On the contrary, the members of the body that appear to be weaker are much more necessary than we think. We also surround the members we consider less honorable with more honor, and those we consider less decent we treat with more decency. Those that we consider decent do not need special care. But God, when he formed the body, gave greater attention and care to what is considered less honorable in it, so that there is no division in the body and, thus, the members care equally for each other. If one member suffers, all members suffer with it; if he is honorable, all the members rejoice with him. You, all together, are the body of Christ, and individually you are members of that body. And, in the Church, God placed the apostles first; secondly, the prophets; thirdly, those who have the gift and mission of teaching; then, other people with different gifts, namely: gift of miracles, gift of healing, gift of works of mercy, gift of government and direction, gift of tongues. Are they all apostles? Are they all prophets? Does everyone teach? Does everyone perform miracles? Does everyone have the gift of healing? Does everyone speak in tongues? Does everyone interpret them?
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (Luke 1,1-4;4,14-21).
Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Many people have already tried to write the history of the events that took place among us, as transmitted to us by those who, from the beginning, were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word. Therefore, after making a careful study of everything that happened from the beginning, I too decided to write in an orderly manner to you, most excellent Theophilus. This way, you will be able to verify the solidity of the teachings you received. At that time, 4, Jesus returned to Galilee, with the strength of the Spirit, and his fame spread throughout the surrounding area. He taught in their synagogues and everyone praised him. And he came to the city of Nazareth, where he had grown up. According to his custom, he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read. They gave him the book of the prophet Isaiah. Opening the book, Jesus found the passage in which it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor; he has sent me to proclaim freedom to the captives and the blind. recovery of sight; to free the oppressed and to proclaim a year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he closed the book, handed it to the assistant, and sat down. Everyone in the synagogue had their eyes fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, “Today this passage of Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is with great joy that we gather today to reflect on the readings that the Church offers us this Sunday. These are readings that invite us to delve deeper into our Christian vocation, to reflect on the role of the Word of God in our lives and to understand how each of us, as members of the Body of Christ, is essential for building the Kingdom of God. Today, more than ever, we are called to realize the strength and purpose that God has given us.
Nehemiah brings us a powerful moment in the history of the people of Israel. God’s people, after a long period of exile, return to their land and, for the first time in many years, have the opportunity to hear the Word of God being read publicly. Ezra, the scribe, stands up and reads the Law of Moses to the entire assembly, and the people, deeply touched, are moved, prostrate and repent. This moment is not just a reminder of the past, but an invitation to us today: what is our relationship with the Word of God? When we hear the Scriptures, are our hearts touched in the same way? Are we capable of prostrating ourselves before the beauty and truth they offer us?
The people’s reaction to the reading of Nehemiah is one of deep reverence and transformation. The Word of God is not something cold and distant, but something that touches our hearts, moves us and transforms us. Just like the people of Israel, we are invited to open our ears and hearts to what God wants to tell us. When the Word is proclaimed, it is not just a reading of a text, but a moment of encounter with God himself, who speaks directly to our hearts.
Jesus, as we see in Luke’s Gospel, takes on the mission of bringing the Good News, and it is in the synagogue of Nazareth, in an act of courage and revelation, that He presents his ministry to us. He begins to proclaim the Word with a clear purpose: to free the captives, restore sight to the blind, bring freedom to the oppressed, and announce the year of the Lord’s favor. This is the heart of the Gospel. But, for this to happen, it is necessary that the Word of God be heard and received with faith and action.
Jesus, when opening the book of the prophet Isaiah and proclaiming this prophecy, is saying something very profound: He is the fulfillment of this promise. He is the Messiah who comes to carry out the work of salvation, and He invites each of us to be part of it. The Gospel calls us not just to listen, but to respond to the mission of Christ in our own lives. The Word that Jesus proclaims must resonate with us in a living and vibrant way, inspiring us to be agents of the transformation that He came to bring to the world.
But, as we also see in the Second Reading, the Body of Christ is made up of many members, each with an essential role, but all united in one body. Saint Paul teaches us that diversity is not an obstacle, but a richness. Each of us has a unique mission, but together we all form the Body of Christ. Just as the human body is made up of different members, but all of them are necessary for proper functioning, in the same way, each of us, with our gifts and abilities, has a specific role in the mission of the Church. No member is insignificant or unnecessary. We are all called to contribute to the common good of the Body of Christ, and we are all fundamental to the fulfillment of Jesus’ mission in the world.
We can often feel inadequate or question our role in the Church. Sometimes we may think that our small actions don’t make a difference, but Saint Paul reminds us that every gesture of love, every act of service, every word of encouragement is part of the great work that God is doing through us. You, yes, you, are a vital part of this mission. Each of us has a unique vocation, and together, as members of the Body, we work to build the Kingdom of God.
Now, dear brothers and sisters, as we reflect on these readings, we must ask ourselves: how can we live this mission in practice? How can we be true disciples, who hear the Word of God and put it into action?
First, we are called to delve deeper into the Word of God. We should not treat it as something distant or irrelevant, but as something alive that transforms our lives. When we listen to the Scriptures, we must ask ourselves: what does God want to tell me today? How can I apply this word in my life? And most importantly: how can I live this Word in my daily life?
Second, we must recognize our unique role within the Body of Christ. What has God given us to serve others? What are the gifts He has entrusted to us? Maybe your gift is patience, maybe it’s service, maybe it’s the ability to teach or care. Regardless of what it is, you have an important role. No one is too small or too insignificant to contribute to the mission of Christ. We are all important for building the Kingdom of God.
And finally, as the Church, we are called to be agents of transformation in the world. Christ’s mission is not limited to a specific building or place. It extends to all areas of our lives. We must be signs of hope and love in our work, in our families, in our communities and in the world. The Good News that Jesus brought must be proclaimed not just with words, but with concrete attitudes of love, justice and peace.
At this moment, I invite each of us to reflect on how we are living this mission. Are we listening to the Word of God and allowing it to transform our lives? Are we recognizing our role in the Body of Christ and using our gifts to serve others? And, as a Church, are we being signs of hope and transformation in the world? If not, may we ask God, in this moment of prayer, for the grace to renew us and make us true disciples, committed to building His Kingdom.
Let us pray: Lord God, we thank you for Your Word, which is a light for our paths. We ask that you help us to live as true disciples, listening and putting into practice what you teach us. May we recognize our unique role within the Body of Christ and contribute to building the Kingdom of God. Give us the grace to be light in the world, proclaiming the Good News with our lives and words. Amen.
May God’s grace accompany us and strengthen us to live in accordance with the mission He has entrusted to us. Amen.