Nehemiah 8:2–4a, 5–6, 8–10

Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, which consisted of men, women, and those children old enough to understand. Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate, he read out of the book from daybreak till midday, in the presence of the men, the women, and those children old enough to understand; and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law. Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. He opened the scroll so that all the people might see it —for he was standing higher up than any of the people—; and, as he opened it, all the people rose. Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people, their hands raised high, answered, “Amen, amen!” Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the LORD, their faces to the ground. Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand what was read. Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all the people: “Today is holy to the LORD your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep”— for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. He said further: “Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our LORD. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!”

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15 (see John 6:63c)

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

SECOND READING (Long Form)
1 Corinthians 12:12–30

Brothers and sisters:
As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

Now the body is not a single part, but many. If a foot should say, “Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. Or if an ear should say, “Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. If they were all one part, where would the body be? But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I do not need you.” Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, whereas our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.

Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

or:

(Short Form)
1 Corinthians 12:12–14, 27

Brothers and sisters:
As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many. You are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.

ALLELUIA
see Luke 4:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, and to proclaim liberty to captives.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

HOLY GOSPEL
Luke 1:1–4; 4:14–21

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

The Gospel of the Lord. 🙏
[19:58, 22/01/2022] Tk: REFLECTION: THE GIFT OF SACRED SCRIPTURE

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. (Luke 1:1-4)

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St. Luke begins his Gospel with this short explanation. This introduction to his Gospel gives us the opportunity to look more deeply at the Holy Bible.

What is your approach to the Bible? How often do you read it? How thoroughly do you understand it? Is the Bible the foundation of your life of faith and knowledge of God?

Sacred Scripture is a gift beyond our imagination. It’s a gift from God through which He reveals His perfect love and His perfect plan for us. We should know the Scriptures well, read them often, pray over the verses and allow all that is revealed within those pages to become the foundation of our lives. Let’s reflect upon one particular aspect of Sacred Scripture.

The Bible is 100% the work of God and 100% the work of the human author. It is 100/100 so to speak. This means that the human author completely cooperated with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in writing each book and letter. And God, for His part, guaranteed that all that was written came from His heart and inspiration. Therefore, this joint effort reveals that God used the human author for a divine purpose.

This is of great significance to understand for two reasons. First, it reveals that we should love Scripture because it reveals the heart and truth of God as well as the unique personality and humanity of the human author. So we are benefiting from the full revelation of God as well as the unique gift of the human author.

Second, it should reveal to us that, though God will not use us in the same way (i.e., to add to the Bible), He does desire to use us for divine purposes. He desires to consume our unique human personality and use us to shine forth the beauty and splendor of His divinity. He wants a 100/100 cooperation with us, also, so as to shine through us in a radiant way.

Reflect, today, upon two things. First, reflect upon the gift of the Bible and the way that God used the human author to give you this gift. Second, reflect upon the fact that God wants to use you, in all your weakness and sin, to bring His divine presence into our world. Be open to that gift so that you may become a living gift of the Word of God to the world.

PRAYER:
Most glorious Eternal Word, I thank You for the wonderful gift of Sacred Scripture. Thank You for all that You have revealed through this gift and for the way that You used the human author for the transmission of Your life. Help me to always be open to Your divine Word and to always be open to becoming a living presence of that Word in our world. Jesus, I trust in You.