Title: Sunday Readings Commentary and Reflections
1Sunday ReadingsCommentary and Reflections
- 5th Sunday in the Ordinary Time B
- February 8, 2015
- In preparation for this Sundays liturgy
- As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM
21st Reading Job 7,1-4.6-7
- Job spoke, saying1 Is not man's life on earth a
drudgery? Are not his days those of a hireling?
2 He is a slave who longs for the shade, a
hireling who waits for his wages. 3 So I have
been assigned months of misery, and troubled
nights have been told off for me. 4 If in bed I
say, "When shall I arise?" then the night drags
on I am filled with restlessness until the dawn.
6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle
they come to an end without hope. 7 Remember
that my life is like the wind I shall not see
happiness again.
The focus is on mans life.
31st Reading Job 7,1-4.6-7
- Job spoke, saying 1 Is not man's life on earth a
drudgery? Are not his days those of a hireling?
2 He is a slave who longs for the shade, a
hireling who waits for his wages. 3 So I have
been assigned months of misery, and troubled
nights have been told off for me. 4 If in bed I
say, "When shall I arise?" then the night drags
on I am filled with restlessness until the dawn.
6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle
they come to an end without hope. 7 Remember
that my life is like the wind I shall not see
happiness again.
Take note of the underlined words. They describe
mans life.
41st Reading Job 7,1-4.6-7
- Commentary
- The tone is pessimistic.
- It comes from somebody who is suffering from
physical and psychological pain. - Hireling / slave refers to one living without
freedom, consolation and respite. - The author uses the following words/phrases to
describe life - Drudgery (military fighting and forced labor),
v.1 - Months of misery (prolonged sufferings),v.3
- Nighttime
- Troubled nights (sleepless nights),v.3
- Night drags on,v.4
- Restlessness until dawn (cant enjoy sleep), v.4
- Daytime
- Days swifter than a weaver.(during the day, as if
Job is not accomplishing anything) - Days end without hope
- Life like a wind (so short that it cant be
enjoyed), - no happiness.
- In other words, life is unfair for Job.
- Job spoke, saying 1 Is not man's life on earth a
drudgery? Are not his days those of a hireling?
2 He is a slave who longs for the shade, a
hireling who waits for his wages. 3 So I have
been assigned months of misery, and troubled
nights have been told off for me. 4 If in bed I
say, "When shall I arise?" then the night drags
on I am filled with restlessness until the dawn.
6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle
they come to an end without hope. 7 Remember
that my life is like the wind I shall not see
happiness again.
5Textual and Historical Contexts
6th or 5th century BC, in Palestine
Outline by Skehan 1. Prose Introduction the
affliction of Job (ch. 12). 2. Three Cycles of
Dialogue between Job and his friends (ch.
328). a. Opening Plaint Job curses the day of
his birth (ch. 3). b. First (ch. 414), Second
(ch. 1521), and Third (ch. 2227) Cycles of
Dialogue between Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, and
Job. c. Encomium of Wisdom, accessible only to
God (ch. 28). 3. Jobs Review of His Case before
God (ch. 2931). 4. The Intervention of Elihu
(ch. 3237). 5. The Lords Response to Job (ch.
3842.6). 6. Prose Conclusion the restoration of
Job (ch.42.717).
6Reflections on the 1st reading
- Like Job, we can be pessimistic.
- We feel we are not accomplishing anything.
- Life has no meaning.
- We feel bad about ourselves. We are just slaves,
insignificant, of no importance to others. - We dont enjoy rest and sleep. We have no
freedom, no joy. - Life can be miserable. No joy.
- Can we be optimistic?
- We should recognize / acknowledge our misery or
crisis if we are in it. Denials do not help. - Read further the story of Job. There is a
resolution.
7Resp. Ps 1471-2, 3-4, 5-6
- R. (cf. 3a) Praise the Lord, who heals the
brokenhearted. - 1 Praise the LORD, for he is goodsing praise to
our God, for he is graciousit is fitting to
praise him.2 The LORD rebuilds Jerusalemthe
dispersed of Israel he gathers. - 4 He heals the brokenheartedand binds up their
wounds.4 He tells the number of the starshe
calls each by name. - 5 Great is our Lord and mighty in powerto his
wisdom there is no limit.6 The LORD sustains the
lowlythe wicked he casts to the ground.
8Resp. Ps 1471-2, 3-4, 5-6
- R. (cf. 3a) Praise the Lord, who heals the
brokenhearted. - 1 Praise the LORD, for he is goodsing praise to
our God, for he is graciousit is fitting to
praise him.2 The LORD rebuilds Jerusalemthe
dispersed of Israel he gathers. - 3 He heals the brokenheartedand binds up their
wounds.4 He tells the number of the starshe
calls each by name. - 5 Great is our Lord and mighty in powerto his
wisdom there is no limit.6 The LORD sustains the
lowlythe wicked he casts to the ground.
- Commentary
- The psalm is a song of praise to the Lord.
- V.1 exhorts us to praise God, to sing praise to
him. - The following verses give the reasons why
- The Lord reconstitutes Jerusalem, by gathering
together its inhabitants who were once dispersed
(banished). V.2 - He heals the wounded, psychologically and
physically. V.3 - He keeps alive the poor and the lowly.v.6
- He destroys the wicked (those who make the life
of Israel difficult). - Vv.4-5 tell of Gods power and infinite wisdom.
9Reflections on the Psalm
- No matter what situation we are in we must
acknowledge the power of God. - People of ancient Israel have experienced healing
and restoration. - God makes the poor survive.
- We will experience the same.
- When we praise God, we acknowledge that God has
the last word.
102nd Reading 1 Cor 9,16-19.22-23
- 16 If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for
me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed
on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it! 17
If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if
unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a
stewardship. 18 What then is my recompense?
That, when I preach, I offer the gospel free of
charge so as not to make full use of my right in
the gospel. 19 Although I am free in regard to
all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to
win over as many as possible. 22 To the weak I
became weak, to win over the weak. I have become
all things to all, to save at least some. 23 All
this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I
too may have a share in it. 24 Do you not know
that the runners in the stadium all run in the
race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to
win.
The focus is on preaching the gospel.
112nd Reading 1 Cor 9,16-19.22-23
A simple outline!
- Preaching the gospel
- 16 If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for
me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed
on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it! 17
If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if
unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a
stewardship. - Free of charge
- 18 What then is my recompense? That, when I
preach, I offer the gospel free of charge so as
not to make full use of my right in the gospel. - Identification with the poor
- 19 Although I am free in regard to all, I have
made myself a slave to all so as to win over as
many as possible. 22 To the weak I became weak,
to win over the weak. I have become all things to
all, to save at least some. 23 All this I do for
the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a
share in it. - Athletes
- 24 Do you not know that the runners in the
stadium all run in the race, but only one wins
the prize? Run so as to win.
122nd Reading 1 Cor 9,16-19.22-23
- Preaching the gospel
- 16 If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for
me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed
on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it! 17
If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if
unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a
stewardship. - Free of charge
- 18 What then is my recompense? That, when I
preach, I offer the gospel free of charge so as
not to make full use of my right in the gospel. - Identification with the poor
- 19 Although I am free in regard to all, I have
made myself a slave to all so as to win over as
many as possible. 22 To the weak I became weak,
to win over the weak. I have become all things to
all, to save at least some. 23 All this I do for
the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a
share in it. - Athletes
- 24 Do you not know that the runners in the
stadium all run in the race, but only one wins
the prize? Run so as to win.
- Commentary
- Preaching is an obligation. Paul has no choice
but to preach. Not to preach is not a right thing
to do. V.16 - Preaching as free act demands legitimate
recompense as a preacher. If ordered or forced to
preach, he will be paid like a slave. V.17 - Paul here preaches freely but he does not invoke
his right to be paid. V.18 - Instead, he even lowers himself down (to become
slave, weak, all things) for a purpose to win
over converts. Vv.19-22 - At the end, Paul too might have his share (that
is his recompense). V.23 - In v.24, Paul uses an analogy of a competition to
back up his point on preaching the gospel. - Preaching (running) has its built-in reward.
13Textual and Historical Contexts
- (Boring, 2012)
- 8,1-13 Food, knowledge, and love
- 9,1-27 Having rights, insisting on them, and
giving them up - 10-1-22 The biblical example of Israel
- 10,2311,1 Do all for the glory of God and the
sake of the Christian - mission
Written in Ephesus in AD 55
14Reflections on the second reading
- Preaching is the task of a missionary called by
God. - Though the preacher has the right to be
supported, preaching as such is not an
occupation. - It is not a money making business.
- If you are a preacher and you are changing your
lifestyle, better review your motivations. - Money is not the ultimate goal of preaching.
- Preaching is identifying with the poor and the
needy, not appearing as better off than they.
15Gospel Reading Mark 1,29-39
- Healing of Peters mother-in-law
- 29 On leaving the synagogue he entered the house
of Simon and Andrew with James and John. 30
Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They
immediately told him about her. 31 He
approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them. - Healings and Exorcisms
- 32 When it was evening, after sunset, they
brought to him all who were ill or possessed by
demons. 33 The whole town was gathered at the
door. 34 He cured many who were sick with
various diseases, and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew
him. - Leaving Capernaum for other places
- 35 Rising very early before dawn, he left and
went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
36 Simon and those who were with him pursued him
37 and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking
for you." 38 He told them, "Let us go on to the
nearby villages that I may preach there also. For
this purpose have I come." 39 So he went into
their synagogues, preaching and driving out
demons throughout the whole of Galilee.
A simple outline!
The gospel reading is about Jesus activities
preaching included.
16Commentary
- The reading reports a series of Jesus activity
in one day. - In the morning, Jesus preaches in the synagogue
(read in previous liturgy), after which he goes
to the house of Peter where he cures his
mother-in-law. - In the afternoon, he cures the sick and cast out
demons. - Next day, he leaves Capernaum to preach in other
places in Galilee. - The text read gives an impression that we should
talk about healings and exorcisms. It can be
done. - The preacher must bear in mind that the healings,
etc. are done in the context of preaching. Jesus
first preaches and then heals and casts out
demons.
17Commentary
- The preacher must bear in mind that the healings,
etc. are done in the context of preaching. Jesus
first preaches and then heals and casts out
demons. - The preacher must be reminded that Jesus preaches
the kingdom of God. His miracles are concrete
signs that the kingdom of God is come. - When he leaves Capernaum, he has this purpose
"Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may
preach there also. For this purpose have I come.
He also went into their synagogues and did the
same thing as in Capernaum.
18Textual and Historical Contexts
- Outline by Giblin
- 1,16-20 Call of Simon and Andrew, James and John
(to be fishers of men) - 1,21-34 A Day at Capernaum (teaching with power
exorcism cures) - 1,35-45 Throughout Galilee (preaching exorcisms
cure of leper - 2,1-12 Return to Capernaum (preaching
forgiveness and cure of paralytic
19Reflections on the gospel reading
- In preaching, we advance the kingdom of God.
- Preaching is talking about the good news.
- Preaching is not only sharing our knowledge about
the Bible and the articles of our faith, but also
healing broken relationships and building
communities. - It includes restoration of persons to their
original dignity as human beings, which is lost
due to sin. - Preaching is a missionary and itinerant activity.
- No true preacher is tied down to one place or one
group of people.
20Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
- The 1st reading talks about Jobs preaching
(sharing of pessimism) of mans life as an
experience of hardship and hopelessness. - The psalm expresses optimism.
- The 2nd reading talks about the preaching of Paul
(to win converts). - The gospel reading talks about the preaching of
Jesus (to proclaim the kingdom of God).
21How to develop your homily / sharing
- Preaching is indispensable in the life of one who
is sent. - To preach is to bear the message of the One who
sends. - To preach is to approach people.
- The purpose of preaching is to convince them to
believe that Gods kingdom is at hand and that
they must repent and believe in the gospel.
"This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of
God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the
gospel. Mk 1,15
22- The gospel reading gives us a sample of Jesus
day to day ministry healing, exorcising and then
preaching. - To complete the picture of his activities, we
have to go back to gospel reading last Sunday
(4th Sunday B). - There when he comes to his hometown, he goes to
the synagogue and preach. Then he heals and
exorcises the pattern continues in the gospel of
Mark.
23- Preaching is proclaiming Gods closeness to us.
- God is now taking hold of us.
- He is snatching us away from evil.
- Through his Son, God is helping us eradicate
sickness and hopelessness.
24- Preaching is not just the work of a priest or an
ordained minister. (Of course, we should
distinguish it from the preaching in the Mass
which is reserved to ordained ministers like the
priests and the deacons.) - Baptized lay people also share in the work of
preaching. - Our people need good preachers nowadays.
- Good preachers are those who really proclaim
Gods kingdom, who give hope to the poor and who
uplift everyone in the spirit. - They love the poor. They are prophetic.
- They are engaged more in the lives of the people
than in the sacristy. - They preach none other than Jesus Christ.
25- Good preachers are not those who give you
entertainment or who attack other people or
religions. - They preach without pomp and glamour.
- You can discern who the good preachers are
- They are couth (they carefully choose their
words). - They organize their thoughts. They can be poetic.
- They are learned and understand the Bible, the
Church doctrines and traditions and the society. - They move you to conversion. They dont make you
pious or fanatic, but committed and engaged
Christians. - They are pastoral. They are concerned about the
common and greater good. - They lead you to Christ, not to themselves.
26- Good preaching inspires us to a more meaningful
reception of the eucharist. - In the eucharist, we allow ourselves to be taken
over by Jesus and to be healed by him who
continues to preach to us through the preachers. - The eucharist is the ultimate reward here on
earth for us who take to heart the Word of God.
27Our Context of Sin and Grace
- Demagogues
- Full of gimmicks
- Emphasis more on jokes, TV stories, very little
about the readings - Unprepared homilies
- Long homilies
- No theology
- Insensitive to lifes situations
- Pastors lack of preparation and training
- Trained speakers
- Persuasive, convincing speakers
- Bias for the poor
- Sympathetic to those who suffer
- Inspiring speakers
- Maximizing prophetic ministry
- Use of technology to enhance preaching
- Down to earth homilies
- Homilist with solid theological foundation
- Speaking from the heart
The End
28Suggested Songs
- Set Me Free (for the 1st reading)
- http//www.youtube.com/watch?vPu8qdQZDPB4
- Mission of Man
- Go Tell Everyone
- Let us now go
- We need one another
- http//www.youtube.com/watch?vh9VZdkKrTdI