Welcome to our Bible Study

10th Sunday in the Ordinary Time C5 June 2016

In preparation for this Sunday’s LiturgyAs aid in focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1st reading: 1 Kgs 17,17-24 17 Some time later the son of the mistress of the house fell

sick, and his sickness grew more severe until he stopped breathing. 8 So she said to Elijah, "Why have you done this to me, O man of God? Have you come to me to call attention to my guilt and to kill my son?“ 19 "Give me your son," Elijah said to her. Taking him from her lap, he carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. 20 He called out to the LORD: "O LORD, my God, will you afflict even the widow with whom I am staying by killing her son?“ 21 Then he stretched himself out upon the child three times and called out to the LORD: "O LORD, my God, let the life breath return to the body of this child.“ 22 The LORD heard the prayer of Elijah; the life breath returned to the child's body and he revived. 23 Taking the child, Elijah brought him down into the house from the upper room and gave him to his mother. "See!" Elijah said to her, "your son is alive.“ 24 "Now indeed I know that you you are a man of God," the woman replied to Elijah. "The word of the LORD comes truly from your mouth."

The focus is on the revival of the child.

1st reading: 1 Kings 17,17-24Dead son 17 Some time later the son of the mistress of the house fell sick, and his

sickness grew more severe until he stopped breathing. Blame on Elijah8 So she said to Elijah, "Why have you done this to me, O man of God?

Have you come to me to call attention to my guilt and to kill my son?“ Elijah revives the son19 "Give me your son," Elijah said to her. Taking him from her lap, he

carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. 20 He called out to the LORD: "O LORD, my God, will you afflict even the widow with whom I am staying by killing her son?“ 21 Then he stretched himself out upon the child three times and called out to the LORD: "O LORD, my God, let the life breath return to the body of this child.“

The son revived22 The LORD heard the prayer of Elijah; the life breath returned to the

child's body and he revived. 23 Taking the child, Elijah brought him down into the house from the upper room and gave him to his mother. "See!" Elijah said to her, "your son is alive.“ 24 "Now indeed I know that you you are a man of God," the woman replied to Elijah. "The word of the LORD comes truly from your mouth."

A simple outline!

Textual Context of 1 Kings 17,17-24

Outline by NAB1. The Reign of Solomon (1 Kgs 1,1—11,43)2. Judah and Israel to the Time of Ahab (1 Kgs

12,1—16,34)3. Stories of the Prophets (1 Kgs 17,1—22,54)4. The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah (2 Kgs 1,1—

17,41)5. The Kingdom of Judah after 721 BC (2 Kgs 18,1

—25,30)

Drought predicted by Elijah (1 Kgs 17,1-6)Elijah and the Widow (1 Kgs 17,7-24)Elijah and the Prophets of Baal (1 Kgs 18,1-46)

Elijah

1st reading: 1 Kings 17,17-24Dead son 17 Some time later the son of the

mistress of the house fell sick, and his sickness grew more severe until he stopped breathing.

Blame on Elijah8 So she said to Elijah, "Why have you

done this to me, O man of God? Have you come to me to call attention to my guilt and to kill my son?“

Elijah revives the son19 "Give me your son," Elijah said to

her. Taking him from her lap, he carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. 20 He called out to the LORD: "O LORD, my God, will you afflict even the widow with whom I am staying by killing her son?“ 21 Then he stretched himself out upon the child three times and called out to the LORD: "O LORD, my God, let the life breath return to the body of this child.“

Commentary V.17 continues the story of

Elijah’s stay in a house. But something happens. The son gets sick and dies.

In v.18, the mother puts the blame on Elijah.

As a prophet, Elijah is supposed to protest against sin (but not to kill the innocent).

In v.19, Elijah takes actions: He takes the child from

her lap. He carries him up to the

upper room. He lays him on his own

bed. In v. 20, he prays to God. In v.21, he makes a little

exercise and prays.

1st reading: 1 Kings 17,17-24

The revived son22 The LORD heard the prayer

of Elijah; the life breath returned to the child's body and he revived. 23 Taking the child, Elijah brought him down into the house from the upper room and gave him to his mother. "See!" Elijah said to her, "your son is alive.“ 24 "Now indeed I know that you you are a man of God," the woman replied to Elijah. "The word of the LORD comes truly from your mouth."

In v.22, the Lord hears Elijah’s prayer. The child starts breathing and is revived.

In v.23, Elijah brings the child back to his mother.

In v.24, the woman recognizes that Elijah is a man of God (a prophet).

As a prophet, he speaks the life giving Word of God.

Reflections on the 1st reading

Sometimes, we are blamed for the misfortunes of others.

Like Elijah, we should take this opportunity to reverse the impression.

We take action and we pray hard. We demonstrate that we come from God and we have

the power of his Word. We can revive dead relationships. In this Year of Faith, in the New Evangelization, we

again rekindle our flickering faith, our relationship with God and with others.

Responsorial Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13 R. (2a) I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

2 I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clearand did not let my enemies rejoice over me.4 O LORD, you brought me up from the nether world;you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.

4 Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,and give thanks to his holy name.5 For his anger lasts but a moment;a lifetime, his good will.6 At nightfall, weeping enters in,but with the dawn, rejoicing.

11 Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;O LORD, be my helper.12 You changed my mourning into dancing;13 O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.

Responsorial Ps 30:2,4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13 R. (2a) I will praise you, Lord, for

you have rescued me.

2 I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.4 O LORD, you brought me up from the nether world;you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.

4 Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name.5 For his anger lasts but a moment;a lifetime, his good will.6 At nightfall, weeping enters in,but with the dawn, rejoicing.

11 Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me; O LORD, be my helper.12 You changed my mourning into dancing;13 O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.

Commentary The psalm seems to be the

prayer of the woman in 1 Kgs. In v.2, the psalmist is thankful

for saving him from his enemies.

In v.2, the psalmist mentions how God saved him from death.

In v.4, the psalmist invites others to praise and thank God.

In v.5, the psalmist recognizes the shortness of God’s anger and enduring good will.

In v.6, he mentions his own cycle of weeping and rejoicing.

V.11 is a prayer for mercy. V.12 is similar to v.6. In v.13, the psalmist promises

to give God thanks for ever.

Reflections on the Psalm

We may have a belief that we suffer from persecutions to the point of near death because we might have earned the ire of God, because we committed grave sins.

When we have this feeling, we must approach God for mercy, like the psalmist.

We must believe that God’s anger does not last long.

We bank on his mercy and love (good will) which is forever.

2nd reading: Galatians 1,11-19 11 Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel

preached by me is not of human origin. 12 For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it, 14 and progressed in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my race, since I was even more a zealot for my ancestral traditions. 15 But when (God), who from my mother's womb had set me apart and called me through his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; rather, I went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to confer with Kephas and remained with him for fifteen days. 19 But I did not see any other of the apostles, only James the brother of the Lord.

The focus is on the journey of Paul in faith.

2nd reading: Galatians 1,11-19

The Gospel preached 11 Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me

is not of human origin. 12 For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Paul’s former way of life 13 For you heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted

the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it, 14 and progressed in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my race, since I was even more a zealot for my ancestral traditions.

Paul’s new way of life 15 But when (God), who from my mother's womb had set me apart

and called me through his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; rather, I went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to confer with Kephas and remained with him for fifteen days. 19 But I did not see any other of the apostles, only James the brother of the Lord.

A simple outline!

Textual Context of Gal 1,11-19

Outline of Galatians by NABI. Address (1,1-5)II. Loyalty to the Gospel (1,6-10)III. Paul’s Defense of His Gospel and His Authority (1,11

—2,21)IV. Faith and Liberty (3,1—4,31)V. Exhortation to Christian Living (5,1—6,10)VI. Conclusion (6,11-18)

2nd reading: Galatians 1,11-19The Gospel preached 11 Now I want you to know, brothers, that

the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. 12 For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Paul’s former way of life 13 For you heard of my former way of life in

Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it, 14 and progressed in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my race, since I was even more a zealot for my ancestral traditions.

Paul’s new way of life 15 But when (God), who from my mother's

womb had set me apart and called me through his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; rather, I went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to confer with Kephas and remained with him for fifteen days. 19 But I did not see any other of the apostles, only James the brother of the Lord.

Commentary In vv.11-12, Paul reiterates that the

gospel he had preached does not come from humans, but from Jesus Christ (revelation from him).

In vv.13-14, Paul recounts how he persecuted the church and how he progressed in his former religion.

In vv.15-16, Paul believes he had been called by God even in his mother’s womb and to reveal his Son to him.

The purpose is: that he may proclaim Christ to the Gentiles.

In vv.16b-17, Paul claims he did not consult anyone (either Christian converts or the apostles in Jerusalem).

In v.18, Paul did it only after 3 years. He talked to Kephas (Peter) for 15 days.

In v.19, among the apostles, beside Peter, he saw James only.

Reflections on the 2nd reading In our mission as Christians, our credentials can be

questioned. People will ask about our past experience and maybe

where we got our knowledge. We may not be able to answer like Paul who said firmly

that the gospel he brought was revealed to him by God and that later he consulted some of the apostles.

We may humbly say to the curious: I attend ongoing formation in the church. I listen to my pastor and the bishop. I always participate in the Bible Studies. I attended catechism when I was young. I still study my faith. I read spiritual books. I have internalized what I learned from them and now I am echoing the learnings to you.

In this Year of Faith, we are asked to transmit the gift of Christian faith to others, through our faith story.

Gospel Reading: Luke 7,11-17 11 Soon afterward he journeyed to a city called

Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. 12 As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, "Do not weep.“ 14 He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!“ 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, "A great prophet has arisen in our midst," and "God has visited his people.“ 17 This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

The focus is on the raising of the son of a widow.

Gospel Reading: Luke 7,11-17Setting 11 Soon afterward he journeyed to a city called Nain, and his

disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. 12 As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her.

Jesus raises a dead man13 When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her

and said to her, "Do not weep.“ 14 He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!“ 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.

Reaction of the people16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,

"A great prophet has arisen in our midst," and "God has visited his people.“ 17 This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

A simple outline!

Textual Context of Luke 7, 11-173,1—9,50 PART ONE GALILEAN MINISTRY (Giblin)3,1-38 Preaching of John (3,1-20)

And public manifestation of Jesus (3,21-38)4,1-44 Jesus’ initial movement in the power of the Spirit

Messianic temptations met (4,1-13) Initial prophetic ministry (4,14-44) Galilee (Nazareth: Capernaum); Judea.

5,1-7—7,50 Call of disciples in the context of a prophetic ministry of preaching, healing and forgiveness:

5,1-11 -- Missionary call of Simon Peter5,12-16 Curing of a leper (as testimony to priests)5,17-26 Healing and forgiving a paralytic (as testimony to Pharisees)5,27-39 -- Call of Levi and dinner in his house6,1-5 Sabbath defense of disciples6,6-11 Sabbath cure of man with withered hand6,12-49 -- Choice of Twelve

Sermon of the plain (to disciples in the hearing of the crowd) 7,1-10 Cure of centurion’s slave7,11-17 Raising of widow’s son7,18-35 Words to John’s disciples and then to crowds on prophetic ministry7,36-50 Forgiveness of the woman at the dinner in the house of Simon the Pharisee

Gospel Reading: Luke 7,11-17Setting 11 Soon afterward he

journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. 12 As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her.

Jesus raises a dead man13 When the Lord saw her, he

was moved with pity for her and said to her, "Do not weep.“ 14 He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!“ 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.

Commentary After curing a centurion’s slave,

Jesus raises a widow’s son. In v.11, Jesus goes to Nain with his

disciples. A large crowd follows him.

In v.12, at the city gate, people carry a dead man, only son of a widow. A large crowd also follows her. Imagine the two crowds merging.

In v.13, at the sight of her, Jesus is moved to compassion and volunteered to do something. He notices her in the midst of the 2 large crowds.

In v.14, after stepping forward and touching the casket, he commands the dead man to rise.

In v.15, the dead man rises, sits up and speaks. Jesus gives him to his mother. (Remember the 1st reading.)

Gospel Reading: Luke 7,11-17Reaction of the people16 Fear seized them all, and

they glorified God, exclaiming, "A great prophet has arisen in our midst," and "God has visited his people.“ 17 This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

V.16 describes the immediate reaction of the people.

Fear seized them all They glorified God. They saw him as a great

prophet. They saw God visiting his

people. Rightly, the people interpret

the whole event. V.17 adds that the story

spreads in Judea and its surrounding region.

Remember the miracle happens in Galilee.

Reflections on the Gospel reading Jesus is compassionate. He looks after the needs of the

sorrowing poor widow. His compassion is translated into action. He restores

the dead back to life, giving hope for a better life. We may not be able to duplicate what Jesus did, but we

can develop a compassion that is coupled with action. We too can make people glorify God when they see us

making people or things work again and become useful again.

In this Year of Faith, let us show the power of our faith. So many people and crowds are observing us.

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm

The first reading is about the rising of the dead child of a widow.

The psalm is acknowledging God for saving the psalmist from death.

The second reading is about the journey of faith of Paul, how he rises from the old faith (in Moses) to new faith (in Christ).

The gospel reading is about the rising of the only son of a widow.

How to develop your homily / sharing

It is certainly impossible to imitate Christ in terms of making the dead rise.

What we should develop is the theme of compassion.

We should develop compassion for people who are really in need.

The widows in those times were considered poor. Women were not allowed to make a living. They had to take of their children.

In the gospel, it was painful for the widow in Nain for his only son to die. It was a big blow to her. It was so devastating.

It could be interpreted as a failure of her own motherhood or simply a misfortune.

At this point, Jesus came to the rescue.

He was sensitive to her needs. Jesus had to do what he had never

done before.

The raising of the young man had a big impact on the people.

In the first reading, Elijah showed compassion to the widow, as she showed compassion to him when she fed him, even in time of famine. This was the old widow who said, “This is the last supply we have. I’ll just cook this, for you and my son and then we will die.”

Elijah revived her son, even if she was blaming him for his death.

He exercised compassion even if the widow was so negative to him.

Elijah proved to be truly a man of God.

In the second reading, Paul acknowledges God’s compassion for him.

Though he was so violent against the spread of Christians, Paul felt God had plans for him.

God revealed his gospel to him and learned more about Christ from Peter and James.

Now, he became a staunch promoter of the faith in Christ.

The experience of God’s compassion for him propelled him to work for the spread of Christianity.

Did you ever experience God’s compassion or before this, have you ever realized how stupid you have been in the face of Christ?

In our communities or churches, do we find compassion?

We should develop compassion for the less fortunate, the unemployed, the underemployed, the sick, those who cannot help themselves and the victims of injustices.

We should develop compassion for the abandoned children, sexually abused, and victims of trafficking and pedophiles.

Can you identify in your group who are compassionate?

Do they identify you as compassionate?

Let us think again what we are doing with our faith.

The Eucharist is a sacrament of God’s compassion.

In the Eucharist, Jesus comes to feed us with his body and blood to satiate our deep hunger and thirst for God.

In the Eucharist, Jesus calls us to be compassionate to others.

Our Context of Sin and Grace

Uncompassionate Ineffectual Complacent Indifferent Insensitive Stony heart No soul No mercy Inhuman No sense of solidarity

Compassionate Responds to the

needs of others Helps build up the

morale or self-confidence

Sensitive to the needs of others

Considerate Can live in a

community Charitable

Suggested Songs

Lord, have mercy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpRghV_Ngnc

Lord, I know, communion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulqjOjYZOns

Peace Prayer of St. Francis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ8TGBB385c

Dear sisters and brothers,

Let us develop in ourselves compassion for others.

Fr. Cielo