1. Sunday Readings Commentary and Reflections 1 ST SUNDAY OF LENT C FEBRUARY 14, 2016 IN PREPARATION FOR THIS SUNDAY’S LITURGY AS AID IN FOCUSING OUR HOMILIES AND SHARING Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1 st reading: Deut 26,4-10  Moses spoke to the people, saying, 4 The priest shall then receive the basket from you and shall set it in front of the altar of the LORD, your God. 5 Then you shall declare before the LORD, your God, 'My father was a wandering Aramean who went down to Egypt with a small household and lived there as an alien. But there he became a nation great, strong and numerous. 6 When the Egyptians maltreated and oppressed us, imposing hard labor upon us, 7 we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and he heard our cry and saw our affliction, our toil and our oppression. 8 He brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand and outstretched arm, with terrifying power, with signs and wonders; 9 and bringing us into this country, he gave us this land flowing with milk and honey. 10 Therefore, I have now brought you the first fruits of the products of the soil which you, O LORD, have given me.' And having set them before the LORD, your God, you shall bow down in his presence. The focus is on the great deeds of God upon Israel.

3. 1 st reading: Deut 26,4-10 Context of worship  Moses spoke to the people, saying, 4 The priest shall then receive the basket from you and shall set it in front of the altar of the LORD, your God. Abraham, a wandering Aramean, becoming great  5 Then you shall declare before the LORD, your God, 'My father was a wandering Aramean who went down to Egypt with a small household and lived there as an alien. But there he became a nation great, strong and numerous. Oppression in Egypt  6 When the Egyptians maltreated and oppressed us, imposing hard labor upon us, 7 we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and he heard our cry and saw our affliction, our toil and our oppression. Great deeds of God  8 He brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand and outstretched arm, with terrifying power, with signs and wonders; 9 and bringing us into this country, he gave us this land flowing with milk and honey. Invitation to worship God  10 Therefore, I have now brought you the first fruits of the products of the soil which you, O LORD, have given me.' And having set them before the LORD, your God, you shall bow down in his presence. A simple outline!

4. Textual Context of Deut 26,4-10 Part IHistorical Review and Exhortation (1,1—4,43) Part IIGod and His Covenant (4,44—11,32) Part III Exposition of the Law (12,6—26,19) Part IV Final Words of Moses (27,1—34,12) Moses is supposed to be speaking here.

5. 1 st reading: Deut 26,4-10 Context of worship (thanksgiving of harvest)  Moses spoke to the people, saying, 4 The priest shall then receive the basket from you and shall set it in front of the altar of the LORD, your God. Abraham, a wandering Aramean, becoming great  5 Then you shall declare before the LORD, your God, 'My father was a wandering Aramean who went down to Egypt with a small household and lived there as an alien. But there he became a nation great, strong and numerous. Oppression in Egypt  6 When the Egyptians maltreated and oppressed us, imposing hard labor upon us, 7 we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and he heard our cry and saw our affliction, our toil and our oppression. Great deeds of God  8 He brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand and outstretched arm, with terrifying power, with signs and wonders; 9 and bringing us into this country, he gave us this land flowing with milk and honey. Invitation to worship God  10 Therefore, I have now brought you the first fruits of the products of the soil which you, O LORD, have given me.' And having set them before the LORD, your God, you shall bow down in his presence. Commentary In the text, Moses speaks. The book of Deuteronomy is described as the sermon of Moses to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land (v.4). He reminds them what they will do when they are in the Promised Land. To declare ( acknowledge) the following: (v.5)  That their father was a wandering Aramean, who had humble beginnings, a foreigner in Egypt, but has become great. (v. 5) (Sign of God’s blessings)  That when the Egyptians became insecure and became oppressive imposing hard labor, maltreated them (v.6), God paid attention to them (v.7).  That God has shown his powerful deeds:  He brought us out of Egypt with accompanying terrible signs  He brought us into this country (Promised Land, “land flowing with milk and honey” = abundance) v.8  V.10 speaks of the logical thing to do: to bow down ( worship ), recognize God in their liturgy.

6. Reflections on the 1 st reading  To approach God, it is necessary to recall our humble beginnings.  As we offer our gifts to the Lord in the liturgy, we acknowledge our own history, how we have been oppressed by other people, without mercy and love.  We also declare how God has led us to freedom.  Do we believe that in our own history, God has shown his might to us, by destroying our enemies, and by leading us to freedom, with signs and wonders?

7. Resp.Ps 91:1-2.10-11.12-13.14-15  (cf. 15b) Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.  1 You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, 2 say to the LORD, “My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.”  10 No evil shall befall you, nor shall affliction come near your tent, 11 For to his angels he has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways.  12 Upon their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the asp and the viper; you shall trample down the lion and the dragon.  14 Because he clings to me, I will deliver him; I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in distress; I will deliver him and glorify him.

8. Resp.Ps 91:1-2.10-11.12-13.14-15  (cf. 15b) Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.  1 You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, 2 say to the LORD, “My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.”  10 No evil shall befall you, nor shall affliction come near your tent, 11 For to his angels he has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways.  12 Upon their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the asp and the viper; you shall trample down the lion and the dragon.  14 Because he clings to me, I will deliver him; I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in distress; I will deliver him and glorify him. Commentary  The psalm is a beautiful song of trust.  Vv.1-2 are addressed to those who are in the Temple. They are to pray, “My God, my refuge, my fortress, I trust you.”  Vv.10-11 assure security to those praying in the Temple.  In vv.12-13, the psalmist assures the man of prayer with protection. No harm will come to the person who prays in the Temple.  In vv.14-15, God assures deliverance (salvation) to those who trust in him.  He will listen to their prayer.

9. Reflections on the Psalm  God assures us of his protection if we pray in his dwelling place (Temple).  We should not fear anything when we entrust ourselves to God, even if there are people who are trying to destroy us.  God takes care of us who trust and fear him and who stay in his abode.  We, Christians, should choose to be confined to God’s paternal and maternal protection, rather than go away from his realm.

10. 2 nd reading: Romans 10,8-13  8 What does the scriptures say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we preach), 9 for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11 For the scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. 13 For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." The focus is on the faith in Jesus Christ.

11. 2 nd reading: Romans 10,8-13 The word of faith, preached  8 What does the scriptures say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we preach), The content of the word of faith and its consequence  9 for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.  11 For the scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame."  12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him.  13 For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." A simple outline!

12. Textual Context of Romans 10,8-13 I. Introduction 1,1-15 II. Part I: Doctrinal section - Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord 1,16—11,36 A. Through the gospel the uprightness of God is revealed as justifying the person of faith. 1,16—4,25 B. The love of God assures salvation to those justified by faith. 5,1— 8,39 C. This justification/salvation does not contradict God's promise to Israel of Old. 9,1—11,36 III. Part II: Hortatory section - The demands of upright life in Christ. 12,1— 15,13 IV. Conclusion 15,14-33 V. Letter of recommendation for Phoebe (the deaconess) 16,1-23 VI. Doxology 16,25-27

13. Paul wrote to the Romans, from Corinth, AD 57

14. 2 nd reading: Romans 10,8-13 The word of faith, preached  8 What does the scriptures say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we preach), The content of the word of faith and its consequence  9 for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.  11 For the scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame."  12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him.  13 For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Commentary  St. Paul develops what the word is all about.  It is close to the Christians, like God in the Temple.  That word is word of faith.  It is preached by the apostles.  The content of the word is:  Jesus is Lord  God raised him from the dead  The consequence of believing or confessing this: salvation  You will be saved, vv.9 and 13  Is saved,v.10  Not put to shame, v.11  It does not matter whether one is a Jew or Greek: the Lord is Lord of all.  He offers salvation to all who believe.  Salvation is for all people.  It does not discriminate against anyone who believes and calls upon his name.

15. Reflections on the 2 nd reading  Like the challenge of the 1 st reading, we must give witness to our faith. We must articulate it.  We must confess that Jesus is Lord.  We should not be quiet about our faith.  Our faith must be audible.  When we speak out our faith, measured in decibels, we are making a strong statement to those who don’t believe or those lousy believers.  In this Jubilee of Mercy, we transmit in new ways of showing God’s mercy to others.

16. Gospel reading: Luke 4,1-13  1 Filled with the holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert 2 for forty days, to be by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." 4 Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'" 5 Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. 6 The devil said to him, "I shall give to you all this power and their glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. 7 All this will be yours, if you worship me." 8 Jesus said to him in reply, "It is written: 'You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.'" 9 Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,' 11 and: 'With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" 12 Jesus said to him in reply, "It also says, 'You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'" 13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time. The focus is on the temptations of Jesus.

17. Gospel reading: Luke 4,1-13 Setting (after the baptism)  1 Filled with the holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert 2 for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. 1 st temptation and Jesus’ response  3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." 4 Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'" 2 nd temptation and Jesus’ response  5 Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. 6 The devil said to him, "I shall give to you all this power and their glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. 7 All this will be yours, if you worship me." 8 Jesus said to him in reply, "It is written: 'You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.'" 3 rd temptation and Jesus’ response  9 Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,' 11 and: 'With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" 12 Jesus said to him in reply, "It also says, 'You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'" Defeat of the devil, but will be coming back  13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time. A simple outline!

18. Gospel reading: Luke 4,1-13 Setting (after the baptism)  1 Filled with the holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert 2 for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. 1 st temptation and Jesus’ response  3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." 4 Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'" Commentary:  The text is about the temptations of Jesus.  It is popularly known as the 3 temptations of Jesus, but the text indicates more than that. See the last verse.  The first temptation is about responding to the immediate material needs.  The devil says No to delayed gratification.  The response of Jesus should be a source of embarrassment to those who believe that material food is all that matters.  They should learn how to listen to the word of God, which is food as well.  Immediately, the devil tries to undo what you have gained during a retreat.

19. Gospel reading: Luke 4,1-13 2 nd temptation and Jesus’ response  5 Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. 6 The devil said to him, "I shall give to you all this power and their glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. 7 All this will be yours, if you worship me." 8 Jesus said to him in reply, "It is written: 'You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.'"  The second temptation is about craving for power and domination.  The response of Jesus should embarrass those who are always expanding their authority and power, to the extent of worshipping the devil ( Satanism ).  Life is not a matter of attaining what you want.  Don’t sacrifice God for anything. God is not a commodity that you can barter.

20. Gospel reading: Luke 4,1-13 3 rd temptation and Jesus’ response  9 Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,' 11 and: 'With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" 12 Jesus said to him in reply, "It also says, 'You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'" Defeat of the devil, but will be coming back  13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.  The third temptation is about craving for prestige.  The response of Jesus should teach those who are obsessed with making a name.  We should not endanger our lives to earn popularity. We should not presume God’s help if we endanger ourselves.  God is not stupid. Don’t be stupid.  “For a time” in v.13 means the devil is coming back. In the crucifixion, Jesus will again hear, “If you are the ….” (Lk 23, 37)

21. Reflections on the gospel reading  Temptations are here to stay.  They come in different forms.  The devil toys on our cravings, addictions, and weaknesses.  If we forget that we are God’s children, we easily fall into temptation, into sin.  The devil made Jesus doubt his identity twice, “if you are the Son of God…” The devil came again before he died, “If you are the Son of God, come down…”  When we resist temptations, we are making a strong statement that we are God’s children.  We love to be in God’s house.

22. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm  We are now in the season of Lent and we are asked to defeat evil.  The first reading asks us to acknowledge God who has done wondrous things for us. Let us bow down to him, not to other gods.  The psalm declares and celebrates God’s protection.  The second reading tells us to declare our belief in Jesus as the Lord. He is our boss, no one else.  The gospel reading asks us to overcome temptations. Our lives must be controlled by God, spirit-led, and not by our tendencies, cravings and desires, and by no one else.

23. How to develop your homilies BBegin by telling a story about your temptations, how you fell into them, or how you overcame them. TThere are many temptations: to buy what is not needed, to eat too much, steal money and things of others, to cheat, to engage in forbidden sex, to be violent, to take vengeance, to believe in empty promises of politicians, etc. TTemptations are not sins, according to our catechism. If we fall into them, that is the sin.

24.  The gospel reading reveals to us the way to overcome temptations.  We must not give in to any enticement (to do anything contrary to our conscience, to the law of God and Church).  We must be frank to say No to anyone who dictates/seduces to do what is not right.  We put God first in our lives, even if we are hungry and hard up.

25.  Like Jesus, we must not lose tract of our identity as God’s children.  If we doubt our identity, the devil can easily overcome us.  By being aware of who we are, as God’s children, by virtue of our baptism, we, like Jesus, can overcome temptations.

26.  We must listen to the voice of God like Jesus.  Our weapon against temptations is the word of God (the sacred scriptures), faithfully listening to his message.  We must not entertain (play games with) the tempter.  In this Season of Lent, we are asked to resist the seductions of the devil, by not talking to it in the first place.  Instead, we talk to God. Let us pray.

27.  The second reading asks us to acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus.  Confessing the primacy of Christ is a sign that we are willing to overcome temptations.  We make our Risen Lord the pivotal point of all our thoughts and deeds.  Regardless of our background and affinities, we are entitled to God’s kingdom, if we have faith in him.

28.  The first reading enjoins us to worship God, mindful of his might.  In our worship, we must declare what God has done for us (not just to me personally, but also to my nation, to my ancestors).  We must have a sense of history (spiritual history).  Our faith in God must also be anchored in history, how God has been dealing with us.  God hates oppression and injustice.

29.  In our families, organizations, and churches, the devil lurks.  It manifests itself in the power struggle of certain individuals or sub-groups.  It bribes. It intoxicates you with their gifts, sweet talks and food to get you to their side.  When the parish leaders gossip and talk against one another, position themselves in their choice places, and don’t have time to read and reflect on the Word of God, the parish has a big problem.

30.  The parish leaders need to be exorcised (or removed).  They need to be converted and renewed to become spirit-filled like Jesus.  Only then, they can do what is good in the Church.

31. IIn this eucharist, we ask the Lord to strengthen us in our fight against the demons in our lives. IIn the eucharist, we encounter Christ who succeeded in wrestling with the devil and who listened to the voice of God. HHere in the eucharist, we don’t give the devil a chance. IIn the eucharist, we firmly affirm that we are God’s special possessions, God’s children.

32. Our Context of Sin and Grace  Untruthful advertisement  Propaganda  False promises  Syndicates  Easy to make compromises  Vote buying  Hegemony  Imperialism, feudalism  Dynastism  Focused on God  Formed by the Word of God  Armed with the Word of God  Able to distinguish between worldly values and spiritual values  Church and political leaders who are nourished by God’s Word.

33. Suggested Songs Please click the underlined words…  Buksan ang aming Palad  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6w8Z3 ExNk8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6w8Z3 ExNk8  On Eagle’s Wings (The Psalm)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= 70bJHNTxtZU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= 70bJHNTxtZU  Hosea, Come Back To Me  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= WzJ5mTqzcJw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= WzJ5mTqzcJw