First reading: Neh. 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!”

Second reading: 1 Cor. 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?

Gospel: Lk. 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.”

In other words

by Fr. Sonny de Rivera, SVD (SVD Philippine Northern Province)

Anna’s faith wavered when her daughter was born with no arms and crooked legs. Distancing herself from the church, she rebelled against God. One day, a casual chat with a priest changed her outlook. He showed her a newspaper headline about a young girl’s tragic death. Pointing to it, he said, “You are lucky to have your daughter. Love and care for her.” The priest’s words, laden with compassion, struck a chord. He reminded Anna of life’s fragility and the uniqueness of her daughter.

From that day forward, Anna embraced her role as a mother with a newfound enthusiasm, recognizing the profound mission entrusted to her. The crooked legs and absent arms became symbols of triumph, not adversity. The priest, a harbinger of hope, had unwittingly bestowed upon Anna a sacred mission—to love unconditionally, to find divinity in imperfection, and to walk a path illuminated by the light of enduring faith.

The priest’s message to Anna mirrored the sentiments of Jesus in Nazareth. The Spirit of the Lord was undeniably upon him. His message offered hope to a grieving mother trapped in self-pity, captivity, anger, and despair. As the priest spoke, the essence of the Lord’s mercy and compassion seemed tangible at that very moment.

Reflecting on Jesus proclamation and the priest’s contemporary counterpart, we are challenged to discern the Spirit’s presence in our lives. In today’s secularized, media-crazy society, the call to bring good news, proclaim liberty, and offer new sight to people who are blind is as relevant as ever. The message transcends time and resonates with our collective responsibility to uplift the downtrodden.

Yet, the challenges are distinct in our digitally-saturated world. The media landscape is a battleground where narratives compete for attention, often drowning out the voice of justice and compassion. In this era, can we confidently declare, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,” and ensure that our words full the proclamation even as they are heard?

Recognizing the Spirit’s presence involves attuning ourselves to acts of love, justice, and mercy. It requires discernment in navigating the digital noise to find moments where the Lord’s favor is proclaimed. In times of social unrest, economic disparities, and global crises, the Spirit compels us to be bearers of hope, setting the oppressed free through compassionate action.

Our call to action is clear: Embrace the Spirit of the Lord by actively fulfilling the proclaimed message. Engage in acts of kindness, amplify the voices of the oppressed, and strive for a society where the Lord’s year of favor is manifest.

May we echo Jesus’ words in our lives, “This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.” As we face the challenges of our era, let the Spirit of the Lord guide our actions, ensuring that our proclamation remains vibrant and transformative, even amid a digitalized and media-driven society.