Daily Readings - Sun Jan 23 2022
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
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the profound connection between God’s presence in our lives and our shared life as a community. In the first reading from Nehemiah, we see Ezra gathering the people to read the law, a moment of renewal and recommitment after the exile. The people’s tears of repentance turn to joy as they recognize the sacredness of the day. This scene reminds us that encountering God’s word has the power to transform us, individually and collectively, and that our faith is not a solitary journey but a shared experience.
In the second reading, St. Paul uses the metaphor of the body to describe the Church, emphasizing that each of us, with our unique gifts and roles, is part of the one body of Christ. Just as every part of the body is essential, so too is every member of the Church. This teaching challenges us to value diversity and to recognize that our unity is rooted in our shared life in Christ. It also calls us to humility and mutual support, recognizing that no one is insignificant in the eyes of God.
In the Gospel, Luke shows Jesus returning to Nazareth, where he reads from Isaiah and declares that the prophecy is fulfilled in him. This moment is a powerful reminder of Jesus’ mission to bring good news to the poor, freedom to the captives, and sight to the blind. It also invites us to see ourselves as part of this mission, called to continue his work of healing and liberation in the world.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How am I contributing to the life of the community? How am I using my gifts to serve others? And how am I allowing God’s word to transform me? May we, like the people in Nehemiah’s time, find joy in God’s presence, and may we, like the body of Christ, work together to build a world where all people can experience the freedom and healing that Jesus brings.