3RD SUNDAY 27TH JAN. 2019.
THEME: OUR MISSION AND THE MISSION OF CHRIST
(Nehemiah 8:2-4,5-6,8-10; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 12:12-30; Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21)

Today is the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary time, year C. The Church turns our attention to the importance, power and proper disposition to the Word of God. The first reading gives us a sense of a people who were really committed to the proper liturgical worship of God as led by Ezra. For the duration of the time, it was an active participation by all for they knew that these “words of the Lord are Spirit and Life” (John 6:63). Their example simply calls for a proper assessment of our attitude to liturgical worship especially within the context of the Holy Mass today. Are we in the right mindset while at mass? How about distractions whether in the form of friends or persons, phones, newspapers, fashion and so

One of the documents of Vatican II, The constitution On the Sacred Liturgy: ‘Sacrosanctum Concilium’ expresses this recovered sense of active participation: “Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that fully conscious and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy” (SC 14). This applies to clergy and laity. (Key words: Full, Conscious and Active Participation).
The assembly and clergy are each in their own way called into the celebrations because they are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a redeemed people. (1 Pet. 2:9; cf 2:4-5)”, and it “is their right and duty by reason of their baptism” that they participate in the Liturgy (SC 14).
“The Church, therefore, earnestly desires that Christ’s faithful, when present at this Mystery of Faith (the Mass), should not be there as strangers or silent spectators; on the contrary, through a good understanding of the rites and prayers they should take part in the sacred action conscious of what they are doing, with devotion and full collaboration” (SC 48).

The gospel reminds us of Christ’s mission and our mission; THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS ON ME, FOR HE HAS ANOINTED ME AND SENT ME TO BRING GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO CAPTIVES…
The mission of Jesus remains a big challenge for the Christians of today. Do Christians of today still profess the manifesto of Jesus? We are challenged today to partner with Jesus in his liberating mission. Our religiosity must not end in the church. It has to follow us to the streets where we encounter poverty and captivity. Jesus began his ministry in the synagogue but exercised it among the people.

The life of Jesus challenges us as Christians of today to carry out prophetic and people-oriented action as evident in the second reading; and not speculative theology and passive Christianity. If we cannot better the lives of the people, let us not worsen them. This is a task for everyone. The church is like the human body. Every part is important for the overall wellbeing of the body. At our baptism, we also received the anointing and the spirit to proclaim liberty to captives. Everyone in the church is important and is needed for the fulfilment of the mission of Jesus.

HAPPY SUNDAY!