Daily Readings - Sun Jan 27 2019
Nehemiah
2So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month.3And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.4And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand.5And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood.6And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.8They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.9And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.10Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
1 Corinthians
12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.13For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and all were made to drink of one Spirit.14For the body does not consist of one member but of many.27Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Luke
1Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us,2just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us,3it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,4that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
14And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.15And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.16And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.17And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,18"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."20And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.21And he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful moments of communal gathering, the proclamation of God’s Word, and the call to live as one body united in Christ. The first reading from Nehemiah describes a scene where Ezra reads the law to the assembled people, who are deeply moved to tears by the Word of God. Yet, they are reminded that this is a day of holy joy, not sorrow, and they are encouraged to share in the feast and celebrate the Lord’s presence. The second reading from 1 Corinthians emphasizes the unity of the body of Christ, where each part is essential and connected through the Spirit. Finally, in the Gospel, Jesus returns to Nazareth, reads from Isaiah, and declares that the prophecy is fulfilled in him, announcing his mission to bring Good News to the poor and freedom to the oppressed.
These readings are deeply connected. In Nehemiah, the people gather to hear the Word of God, and their response is one of repentance and joy. Similarly, in Luke, Jesus stands in the synagogue and proclaims that he is the fulfillment of God’s promises. Both scenes highlight the transformative power of God’s Word when it is proclaimed and received with faith. In 1 Corinthians, Paul reminds us that we are all part of the same body, united in Christ, and that our unity is a reflection of God’s presence among us. Together, these readings call us to recognize that we, too, are part of a larger story—a story of God’s love and redemption.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we respond to God’s Word in our own lives? Do we allow it to move us to repentance, to inspire us to joy, and to send us forth in mission? Like the people in Nehemiah, we are called to gather, to listen, and to celebrate the Lord’s presence in our midst. Like the body of Christ in Corinthians, we are called to recognize our interconnectedness and to use our gifts for the good of all. And like Jesus in Luke, we are called to bring Good News to those around us, especially to those who are marginalized or forgotten. May we embrace our role in this great story, living with joy, unity, and a deep commitment to sharing God’s love with the world.