Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Official Translation

Reading 1 – Nehemiah 8.2-4a, 5-6, 8-10

Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of both men and women,
and all who could hear with understanding.
He read from the book at the wide place that was in front of the Water Gate
from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women,
and of those who could understand.
The ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.
Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood, which they had made for the occasion.

Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people,
for he was above all the people,
and when he opened it, all the people stood up.
Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God.
All the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” with the lifting up of their hands.
They bowed their heads, and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

Ezra read from the book of the law of God, distinctly,
and gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.
Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe,
and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people,
“Today is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.”
For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law.
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat fat, drink sweets,
and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared,
for today is holy to our Lord.
Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord must be your strength.”

Responsorial – Psalm 19.8, 9, 10, 15 Resp. John 6:63b

R. Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.

The law of the Lord is perfect,
restoring the soul.
The covenant of the Lord is sure,
making the simple wise.

R. Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.

The precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart.
The command of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes.

R. Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.

The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.

R. Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock, and my redeemer.

R. Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.

Reading 2 – 1 Corinthians 12.12-30

Brothers and sisters:
just as the body is one and has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, being many, are one body;
thus also is Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,
whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free,
and we all were given to drink one Spirit.

For the body is not one part but many.
If the foot would say, “Because I am not the hand, I am not part of the body,”
is it therefore less a part of the body?
If the ear would say, “Because I am not the eye, I am not part of the body,”
is it therefore less a part of the body?
If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be?
If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be?
But now God has ordered the parts, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired.
If they were all the same part, where would the body be?
But now they are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot tell the hand, “I have no need for you,”
or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.”
No, rather, those parts of the body which seem to be weaker are more necessary.
Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, we bestow more abundant honor,
and our less presentable parts have greater propriety,
whereas our presentable parts have no such need.

But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part,
so that there should be no division in the body,
rather the parts would have the same care for one another.
When one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it.
When one part is honored, all the parts rejoice with it.

Now you are the body of Christ, and parts by shares.
God has set some in the Church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers,
then miracles, then gifts of healings, helping,
administering, and various kinds of tongues.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Are all miracle workers? Do all have gifts of healings?
Do all speak with various tongues? Do all interpret?

Gospel – Luke 1.1-4; 4.14-21

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative
concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,
just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and the ministers of the word
delivered them to us,
so it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately again,
to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus,
that you might know the certainty concerning teachings you have received.

Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee,
and news about him spread through all the surrounding area.
He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.
He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up.
He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day,
and stood up to read.
The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him.
He opened the book and found the place where it was written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives,
recovering of sight to the blind,
to deliver those who are oppressed,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”

He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down.
The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.
He began to tell them,
“Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”