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January 26, 2025, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
In the first reading from the book of Nehemiah, When the Jews returned home after the exile in Babylon, the nation had to be rebuilt. The Persians entrusted this task to Ezra. Ezra brought back with him from Babylon the book of the law of Moses which he solemnly read to the people. Here Ezra called the people to rededicate themselves to God.
Have we been in exile? Did we desert God because of our sins? Today we join the Jewish nation to rededicate ourselves. We listen to the word of God to understand his mandate and message for us.
The second reading from 1 Cor 12:12-30, Paul reminds us that just as the human body is one though made up of many parts, so the Church, though composed of different members with different gifts, forms a unity in Christ.
It is important to underline here that just as every human part is important for the total well being and functioning of a human person, so does the church. Every member or society forms part of Christ’s body.
Whenever a president or a prime minister is about to take an oath of office, he or she makes a solemn speech in which he or she outlines his policies, his vision and mission.
Jesus did something similar in today’s gospel. At the start of his ministry.
In the synagogue at Nazareth he red a passage from Isaiah which summed up his mission.
He announced that the long awaited day of favour has come. This day of Favour is for everyone but more to the poor, the sick, the marginalized and the outcast.
Jesus’ mission is clear. He has come to liberate those who have been in perpetual bandage of sin.
What does this message of Jesus hold for us?
We must run to Jesus to be set free from any form of imprisonment, be it spiritual, physical, psychological, financial imprisonment.
Jesus is ready to deliver us from the power of darkness and to make us new persons in himself.
Let us never get tired of approaching him, knowing that his mission on this earth is for our own salvation.
Let us also draw our own vision and mission which will focus on the good of others and the salvation of souls.
I pray that Almighty God may bless us and protect us from every evil through Christ our Lord, Amen..
Have a blessed Sunday.
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Rev. Fr. Ambrose Onyeka Anene SDB is the Parish Priest of Church of the Archangels, Gaduwa, Abuja.
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