Sunday Readings Commentary and Reflections

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Sunday 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
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1st 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.
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1st 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.
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1st 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.

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Textual 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).
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Reflections 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.

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Resp. 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.

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Resp. 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.

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Reflections 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.

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2nd 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.
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2nd 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.

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2nd 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.

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Textual 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
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Reflections 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.

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Gospel 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.
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Commentary

• 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.

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Commentary

• 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.

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Textual 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

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Reflections 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.

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Tying 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).

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How 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
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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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Our 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
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Suggested 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