Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • January 21, 2022 5 9274 Hwy 49/Airport Gulfport, MS 39503 228-863-5525 1-800-880-2446 FAX: 228-863-9612 www.butchoustalet.com “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…” (John 1:14). Our Lord never separates words from deeds. He speaks the word of power and demonstrates the power of the Word. Like most airplane passengers I usually ignore the emergency instructions given just before takeoff. So, on a particular flight very early one morning it was no different. I left home at four to catch a six-a.m. flight and once settled in went to sleep. But about mid-flight my sleep was inter- rupted by the pilot warning of landing gear trouble causing him to “circle the airport to use excess fuel in case we have to make an emergency landing.” Looking out the window at the approaching airport I could see fire trucks and emergency vehicles assembling alongside the runway. The next voice we heard was that of a flight attendant asking us to pay close attention as she proceeded to repeat the emergency instructions she gave prior to takeoff. This time I, as well as every other passenger on that flight, listened intently as if our lives depended on every word that was spoken -- because it did! In these early days of the New Year, we continue to take personal stock. Do I have the courage to reflect on my experiences, successes, and failures in the past year? Will I retain wholesome, uplifting and faith motivated thoughts, words and actions in the New Year and discard the harmful? Will I take God’s promises more seriously and personally, allowing them to reduce worry and stress and increase faith and trust? Have I established clear, God-centered and achievable goals for spiritual development, growth and outreach from this day forward? Am I praying daily and being consistent about prayer?Am I celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation more frequently? Am I listening carefully to God’s Word and the homily at Mass: taking notes and studying deeper to put it into action? Am I forgiving those who offend me, not looking for revenge, and offering prayer and mercy even though I may not ‘feel’ like it? Why should I do these things? Because my life depends on it! What preacher or parent would not envy Ezra the priest in today’s first reading? His audience was passionately attentive to him proclaiming the Word of God. Instead of counting with impatience the number of minutes Ezra spoke, they listened intently, staying from daybreak till midday. In their desire to understand, they kept their minds open and submissive. In their readiness to cooperate, their lips proclaimed acceptance. In their willingness to change, they humbly fell prostrate in worship and adoration. Recognizing they were in the presence of a holy God, the people listened, learned, and acted on Ezra’s words as if their lives depended on them. God wants us to celebrate His presence, power, and forgiveness with a new sense of commitment and purpose: “Rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!” The Psalmist praises the power of God’s Word; “Your words, Lord are Spirit and life.” God’s Word is perfect, refreshing and trustworthy. Gives wisdom, causes rejoicing, is clear, enlightening and pure, endures forever and is true. In what ways have you embraced this word so that the words of your mouth and the thoughts of your heart become favorable to God? To a fragmented Corinthian society, Paul makes the case for Christ-motivated unity and harmony. He first uses the body metaphor to explain the unity of Christ with believers. All the parts of our body are important. As it is with the body of Christ -- everyone is needed that unity not division may be the primary characteristic that those outside the body will observe in us. Therefore, despite our rivalries, criticisms and other diversities Paul pleads for unity and illustrates how we can have that unity by making our primary goal to please our Lord Jesus Christ in all we think, say, and do. Finally, he applies the metaphor to the church and its members. Just as the human body needs different members to function effectively, so the church needs a diversity of spiritual gifts, which make a significant contribution in building Christ’s body. The “Called and Gifted” program in our Diocese helps reveal what gifts you have and how they can be used to build up the body of Christ. Ask you pastor about it. Today’s Gospel contains a Prologue that sets the stage for Luke’s proclamation of Jesus’ words and deeds, and proclaims His birth, ministry, death and resurrection as fulfillment of the promises of God in the Old Testament. From there, the gospel skips Luke’s infancy narratives and directs us to an introduction of Jesus’ public ministry in the synagogue in Galilee. Jesus, in the temple, reads Isaiah’s prophetic words (Isaiah 61:1-2) which form the basis of Christ’s own mission: an anointing to bring glad tidings to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives, open blind eyes, and announce God’s acceptance (Luke 4:1ff). Jesus concludes with an astounding statement, “Today, this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” Could you imagine the incredulity of Jesus’ audience that day? How can this be -- He is the carpenter’s son -- our neighbor -- some of us watched him grow up. It was too much to take in. CS Lewis wrote, “With the claims Jesus makes He is either a lunatic, liar, or Lord!” Have you taken a stand on who Jesus is for you? We cannot be neutral. Either we will believe in Him as Lord and model our lives after His or reject Him and live in a self-serving manner that gives free reign to the flesh. Jesus’ earthly ministry begins in the power of the Spirit and continues to his Ascension in that same power. Luke’s gospel will continue with proofs that in Jesus, word and deed meet, and effect the miraculous. Closing Comments and Questions: 1. In what ways have you been empowered by the same Spirit of God to proclaim God’s saving power? 2. The choice is always ours. Are you listening to the word of God with hostility, casually, or indifferently, or with the firm resolve and intent to comply? 3. The world around us needs to see people that live the faith, hope, and love of Christ. What opportunities do you have to demonstrate these characteristics? 4. What offers you hope that whatever you did in the past can be forgiven and you can start fresh with the help of God and His church? Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Visit his web- site: www.homilypearls.com. 1st Reading: Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 Responsorial Psalm: 19:8, 9, 10, 15 2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 Gospel: Luke 1:1-4, 4: 14-21 Third Sunday of Ordinary Time Living the Word! Deacon Torrell i Sunday Scripture Commentaries