Welcome to our Bible Study 12 th Sunday

Welcome to our Bible Study 12 th Sunday in the Ordinary Time C June 20, 2010 In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing

1 st Reading: Zechariah 12, 10 -11; 13, 1 l l 10 Thus says the Lord: I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and petition; and they shall look on him whom they have thrust through, and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for an only son, and they shall grieve over him as one grieves over a first-born. 11 On that day the mourning in Jerusalem shall be as great as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo. 13: 1 On that day there shall be open to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness.

1 st Reading: Zechariah 12, 10 -11; 13, 1 l l 10 Thus says the Lord: I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and petition; and they shall look on him whom they have thrust through, and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for an only son, and they shall grieve over him as one grieves over a first-born. 11 On that day the mourning in Jerusalem shall be as great as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo. 13: 1 On that day there shall be open to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness. The focus is on the messiah.

1 st Reading: Zechariah 12, 10 -11; 13, 1 l l 10 Thus says the Lord: I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and petition; and they shall look on him whom they have thrust through, and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for an only son, and they shall grieve over him as one grieves over a first-born. 11 On that day the mourning in Jerusalem shall be as great as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo. 13: 1 On that day there shall be open to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness. Commentary l In v. 10, God promises through the prophet “a spirit of grace and petition” to the Davidic dynasty and Jerusalemites. l V. 10 also predicts what would happen to the “messiah. ” l It makes us remember Jesus when the centurion thrusts his sword upon his side. l As a result of his death, there will be a lot of grieving and mourning. (vv. 10 -11) l V. 13: 1 reiterates the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem mentioned in v. 10. l We presuppose that the death of the messiah will bring about purification from sin and impurities.

Reflections on the 1 st reading l l l The messiah comes from a royal family, not from an ordinary family. He is sent by God to save us, at a great price. God does not send just anybody, but his only Son. God is generous with his love. His son is the same. He is willing to undergo pain and death. We must realize how God treasures us, sinners.

Resp. Ps 63: 2, 3 -4, 5 -6, 8 -9 l l R. (2 b) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. 2 O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. l l l 3 Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, 4 For your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you. l l 5 Thus will I bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name. 6 As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. l l 8 You are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. 9 My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me.

Resp. Ps 63: 2, 3 -4, 5 -6, 8 -9 l l l R. (2 b) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. 2 O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. Commentary l The psalm beautifully expresses our desire for God. l V. 2 uses similes to describe how the psalmist longs for God. l In v. 3, the psalmist finds God in the Temple. 3 Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your l V. 4 recognizes the supremacy of glory, God’s kindness over life. 4 For your kindness is a greater good than l In v. 5, the psalmist promises to life; my lips shall glorify you. bless and pray to God. l V. 6 speaks of satisfaction of the 5 Thus will I bless you while I live; psalmist. lifting up my hands, I will call upon your l The psalmist assures of his praise name. and thanksgiving. 6 As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, l V. 8 affirms God’s protection. and with exultant lips my mouth shall l In v. 9, the psalmist expresses his praise you. deep faith in God and God’s protection to him. 8 You are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. 9 My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me.

Reflections on the Psalm l l We should be able to appropriate the psalm to ourselves. We should become psalmists ourselves, not just readers of the psalm. We best express ourselves when we adopt the way of the psalmist. In this form of prayer, we should feel God’s presence better.

2 nd Reading: Galatians 3, 26 -29 l 26 Through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendant, heirs according to the promise.

2 nd Reading: Galatians 3, 26 -29 l 26 Through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who God in were baptized into Christ have clothed were baptized into yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither yourselves with Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And for you are all one in if you belong to Christ, then you are if you belong to Abraham's descendant, heirs according to the promise. The focus is on Christ.

2 nd Reading: Galatians 3, 26 -29 l 26 Through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendant, heirs according to the promise. Commentary l In v. 26, Paul affirms that we are God’s children. l We become God’s children through faith in Christ = Messiah (v. 26) and through baptism (v. 27). l In God’s family, there are no distinctions. We are made one in Christ. V. 28 l In v. 29, Paul also affirms our common ancestry (Abraham) and we are entitled to God’s promise as heirs, through Jesus Christ.

Reflections on the 2 nd reading l As Christians, we have to realize and appreciate that Christ has done many great things for us. He made us children of God. l He made us united as one, though of different cultures, genders and races. (No more distinctions which are l sources of divisions). l l He made us heirs in the kingdom. What more can we ask?

Gospel Reading: Luke 9, 18 -24 l 18 Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am? “ 19 They said in reply, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, 'One of the ancient prophets has arisen. '“ 20 Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am? " Peter said in reply, "The Messiah of God. “ 21 He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. 22 He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. “ 23 Then he said to all, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.

Gospel Reading: Luke 9, 18 -24 Identifying Jesus correctly l 18 Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am? “ 19 They said in reply, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, 'One of the ancient prophets has arisen. '“ 20 Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am? " Peter said in reply, "The Messiah of God. “ 21 He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. The Suffering Christ and discipleship l 22 He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. ” 23 Then he said to all, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. The focus is on the Messiah.

Gospel Reading: Luke 9, 18 -24 Identifying Jesus correctly l 18 Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am? “ 19 They said in reply, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, 'One of the ancient prophets has arisen. '“ 20 Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am? " Peter said in reply, "The Messiah of God. “ 21 He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. The Suffering Christ and discipleship l 22 He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. ” 23 Then he said to all, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. Commentary l V. 18 presents Jesus as praying, in the presence of his disciples. l In the context of prayer, Jesus asks his disciples how people size him up. l V. 19 enumerates the wrong answers of the people. They do not appreciate who Jesus is. l In v. 20, Jesus asks the same question to his disciples. l Peter, the spokesman of the apostles, answers correctly. l Surprisingly in v. 21, Jesus rebukes (as if he scolds them) and wants them to keep his identity secret. l Then, in v. 22, Jesus clarifies what kind of Messiah he is. l A suffering, rejected, and “killed” Messiah. l In v. 23, Jesus challenges his apostles if they want to follow him, they must too suffer. l In v. 24, Jesus does not buy the idea of self -preservation when following Jesus.

Reflections on the gospel reading We Christians must know who Jesus is. l We must not mistake his identity. l He is the Christ (Greek, christos), Messiah (Hebrew, l masiha). But we should not misinterpret what kind of Messiah he is. l Misinterpretation has devastating effect on our discipleship. l

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm The first reading talks about the Messiah. l The psalm talks about longing for God (for the Messiah). l The second reading talks about Christ. l The gospel reading talks about Messiah. l On this Sunday, we focus on the Messiah.

How to develop your homily / sharing l l l To begin with, ask the audience what they know about Jesus. They may give these answers: He is our Savior. He is our Lord. He is God. He is the good Shepherd… etc. Now ask if they really know the meaning of Christ. Is it Jesus’ surname? In those days, it was not problem calling a man “Jesus. ” But if you call a man “Christ” or if you claim to be Christ (annointed), you have a problem.

l l l Now, in our days, you also have a problem if you don’t know who Christ is. You can’t be his true disciple if you don’t know him. Don’t imagine you know him, if you have never read the gospels or listened to the gospels in your churches. What you know about him is not the real Christ. It is the Christ in your imagination, not in the gospels.

l l l l The people had a problem identifying Jesus. No one said he is the Messiah, except the apostles. What went wrong? Knowledge is not a one-shot deal. One encounter with Jesus is not enough. The apostles had the privilege to be with him, from his baptism up to this moment. So they know him, at the very least, 50% of him.

What about the other 50%? l They will come to know when they follow him up to the Calvary, when they see him die. l And they will complete their knowledge of him, when they too will die like him. l

l l The gospel reading is concerned about who Jesus is. If we don’t understand his identity, we miss the first step to understand him further and to follow him better. So, we Christians have to study our faith. We read the gospels. We continue reading the Bible and listen to those who are trained to interpret biblical texts. We, Christians, also must journey with Jesus. Our intellectual knowledge becomes useless if we refuse to carry our crosses and be crucified at the end.

The second reading enumerates what Christ has done for us, people. l Christ is able to do much for us because of his passion, death and resurrection. l He has won life for us through his blood. l We, too, will really enjoy the inheritance set aside for us, faithful Christians. l

The first reading has predicted the coming of the Messiah. l The prophet Zechariah rightly identifies the Messiah as the only Son, whose violent death has caused so much sorrow, but has brought us forgiveness and new life. l Jesus has properly submitted to the inhumanities committed against him, according to the plan of God as revealed by the prophet. l

l l l We, Catholics, have to go back to our study tables and study groups to learn more about Christ. We have long neglected the Bible as part of our ongoing formation. We have spent more time discussing and doing what is not so necessary in our faith, like money, positions (politics), mistakes of others. We have not really exerted efforts to study our faith. Very few give time to the bible study in the parishes. Our “separated” brethren (Protestants) have gone ahead of us in terms of bible reading, bible study and bible reflection.

l l It is time for us Catholics to wake up from our ignorance. We don’t make a caricature of our faith, by not being interested in the Bible. St. Jerome said, “Ignorance of the Bible is the ignorance of Christ. ” It should be unthinkable for a lector or commentator, eucharistic minister or the like to ignore calls for a deeper knowledge of our faith.

l l l Those who study their faith are more humble in their dealings with other people. They can take more sufferings and sacrifices than those whose knowledge of Christ is skin deep. Those who don’t study their faith (bible) don’t know who Christ really is. When they serve in the Church, they are just serving themselves. They want to be recognized, not Christ at all. They use Christ to advance their personal interests.

l Discipleship is not an easy life. l It is not a secure life. l It is actually a dangerous life. l Look what happened to Jesus! l To know more about Jesus, study Christology.

l l l In the eucharist, we come to know more about Jesus. In the eucharist, Christ promises us eternal life. In the eucharist, we participate in the life-cycle of Jesus (passion, death and resurrection).

Our Context l l l Lazy to study faith No bible reading No going to Mass No participation in study groups No catechism No theology l l l l Well catechized Lectio divina Attentive at Mass Diligent in studying Buys commentaries Able to sacrifice and be insulted Willing to be crucified

Suggested Songs l One Bread One Body l Sino ba ang Diyos? l http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=m 8 gl. Iv 39 u. KA