WWelcome to our Bible Study13th Sunday in Ordinary Time C

26 June 2016In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy

As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1st reading: 1 Kings 19:16.19-21 16 The Lord said to Elijah, “You shall anoint Jehu,

son of Nimshi, as king of Israel, and Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, as prophet to succeed you.

19 Elijah set out, and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him.

20 Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Please, let me kiss my father and mother good-bye, and I will follow you." "Go back!" Elijah answered. "Have I done anything to you?" 21 Elisha left him and, taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to his people to eat. Then he left and followed Elijah as his attendant.

The focus is on discipleship.

1st reading: 1 Kings 19,16.19-21Mission of Elijah: to anoint Jehu and Elisha 16 The Lord said to Elijah, “You shall anoint Jehu, son of

Nimshi, as king of Israel, and Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, as prophet to succeed you.

“Anointing” of Elisha 19 Elijah set out, and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he

was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him.

Elisha bids good bye to loved ones and follows Elijah 20 Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Please, let me

kiss my father and mother good-bye, and I will follow you." "Go back!" Elijah answered. "Have I done anything to you?" 21 Elisha left him and, taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to his people to eat. Then he left and followed Elijah as his attendant.

A simple outline!

Textual Context of 1 Kings 19:16.19-21 Elijah flees from Jezebel (19,1-10) Elijah meets God at Horeb (19,11-18) Elisha becomes Elijah’s Disciple (19,19-21) Ahab’s Wars with the Arameans (20,1-12) Prophetic Opposition to Ahab (20,13-22)

1st reading: 1 Kings 19,16.19-21

Mission of Elijah: to anoint Jehu and Elisha 16 The Lord said to Elijah, “You shall

anoint Jehu, son of Nimshi, as king of Israel, and Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, as prophet to succeed you.

Anointing of Elisha 19 Elijah set out, and came upon Elisha,

son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him.

Elisha bids good bye to loved ones and follows Elijah

20 Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Please, let me kiss my father and mother good-bye, and I will follow you." "Go back!" Elijah answered. "Have I done anything to you?" 21 Elisha left him and, taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to his people to eat. Then he left and followed Elijah as his attendant.

Commentary In v.16, God commands the prophet

Elijah to anoint Jehu (841-815 BC) as king and Elisha as prophet.

Elisha will succeed Elijah. In v.19, Elijah obeys God, with the

following actions: He sets out He comes upon Elisha He throws his cloak over him (symbolic

of transfer of prophetic power). Notice that Elijah does this ritual in the

context of Elisha’s plowing the field. Elisha must be a strong man, a farmer. In v.20, Elisha leaves the oxen and asks

permission to bid good bye to his loved ones. (has affection)

In v.21, Elisha slaughters the oxen and cooks them for the people to eat and he follows Elijah. (a sign of total commitment to the new task).

Reflections on the 1st reading God can call you at the peak of your career. To respond to his call, you must be prepared to give up

whatever hinders you from doing your new assignment. You cannot really answer the call of God if you still keep

going back to your former work, associating with your old colleagues (or loved ones).

You have to radically say “Good Bye” to all of them. And closely learn the trade of your new assignment, by

following your master. For you are being called to do greater things or

something very different.

Resp. Ps 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 R.     (cf. 5a) You are my inheritance, O Lord.

1 Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; 2 I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you. 5 O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot.”

7 I bless the LORD who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. 8 I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence 10 because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.

11 You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. 

Resp. Ps 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 R. (cf. 5a) You are my inheritance, O

Lord.

1 Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; 2 I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you. 5 O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot.”

7 I bless the LORD who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me.

8 I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence 10 because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,

nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.

11 You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. 

Commentary In v.1, the psalmist expresses

his trust in the Lord as his refuge.

In v.2, the psalmist affirms that the Lord (the God of the Israelites) is his God.

The psalmist’s inheritance is nothing more, or no one else but the Lord.

In v.7, the psalmist gives a proper response to God who counsels him: he blesses (praises, gives thanks) the Lord.

V.8 expresses the trust and confidence of the psalmist in God.

Resp. Ps 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 R. (cf. 5a) You are my inheritance, O

Lord.

1 Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; 2 I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you. 5 O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot.”

7 I bless the LORD who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. 8 I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence 10 because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.

11 You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. 

Vv.9-10 express how happy the psalmist is because God is his protector.

In v.11, the psalmist believes that God will do the following favors to him: To show path to life To show fullness of joy To show the delights of his

right hand (power).

Reflections on the Psalm Again, we must be like the psalmist who prays

the psalm. We, Christians, can do this by identifying with

him and appropriating his prayer. We too bless and praise God. As a people, we have to put our security in

God’s power, not in money, material things and human beings.

We are better off when we are with God.

2nd reading: Galatians 5:1.13-18 1 For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do

not submit again to the yoke of slavery. 13 For you were called for freedom, brothers. But do

not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 15 But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. 16 I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. 18 But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

The focus is on the Christian freedom.

2nd reading: Galatians 5,1.13-18Freedom vs. slavery 1 For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again

to the yoke of slavery. 13 For you were called for freedom, brothers. Warning against abuse of freedom But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh;True use of freedom rather, serve one another through love. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled

in one statement, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.“What abusers of freedom do 15 But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you

are not consumed by one another. Spirit vs. flesh/law 16 I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the

desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. 18 But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

A simple outline!

Textual Context of Galatians 5:1.13-18 The Nature of Christian Freedom (5,2-15) The Works of the Flesh (5,16-21) The Fruit of the Spirit (5,22-26) Bear One Another’s Burdens (6,1-10) Final Admonitions and Benediction (6,11-18)

2nd reading: Galatians 5,1.13-18Freedom vs. slavery 1 For freedom Christ set

us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. 13 For you were called for freedom, brothers.

Warning against abuse of freedom

But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh;

True use of freedom rather, serve one another

through love. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.“

Commentary In this letter to the Galatians, Paul at length

discusses the freedom Christ gives to the believers. He considers the teaching of the rabbis (works of the law) as yoke of slavery.

Paul’s teaching is: In Christ, there is freedom. In the law, there is no freedom. There is no freedom if one is living in the flesh.

In v.1, Paul says Christ leads us to freedom. Christians are free from the law and there should be no backsliding to the law (yoke of slavery).

V.13 says Christian vocation is to be free. Now freedom is not free to contradict itself.

It is not licentiousness (living in the flesh). Freedom should not be abused.

Rather freedom should lead us to serve and love one another. (v.14)

2nd reading: Galatians 5,1.13-18What abusers of freedom do 15 But if you go on biting

and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.

Spirit vs. flesh/law 16 I say, then: live by the

Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. 18 But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Commentary (con’t) In v.15, Paul specifies what is to live in

the flesh: biting and devouring (taking advantage of each other, acting like savage beasts).

Vv.16-18 introduce a new expression: living by the Spirit. It is contrasted with the desire of the flesh (lust, this time it has nothing with the law).

Spirit and flesh stand in opposition to each other.

Living in the Spirit (guided by the Spirit) is a sign of not living under the law. (v.18)

In this reading, there is an interplay (or mix up) of the important opposing concepts: slavery / freedom, Spirit / flesh

What is clear here is Christ, freedom, Spirit, service, and love go together.

The law, yoke of slavery, flesh, abuse of freedom, biting, devouring, and desire of the flesh go together. These should be rejected.

Reflections on the 2nd reading If we live in Christ, we live in freedom. But freedom is not license to do whatever we want. It is

not licentiousness. It is freedom to serve and love one another. Freedom is life-giving, life-enhancing.

You do not lose anything when you live in freedom. You do not destroy anything if you live in freedom.

If you cannot love, cannot do anything good and meaningful and you find it hard to give yourself to others, you are not living in freedom.

You are a slave of sin. You don’t have Christ in you. If you have freedom, you can do good things for God

and for fellow men and women.

Gospel reading: Luke 9:51-62 51 When the days for his being taken up were fulfilled, he

resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, 52 and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, 53 but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?" 55 Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56 and they journeyed to another village. 57 As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." 58 Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head." 59 And to another he said, "Follow me." But he replied, "(Lord,) let me go first and bury my father." 60 But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." 61 And another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home." 62 (To him) Jesus said, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God."

The focus is on Christian discipleship (following Jesus).

Gospel reading: Luke 9:51-62Context of Journey 51 When the days for his being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely

determined to journey to Jerusalem, 52 and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, 53 but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?" 55 Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56 and they journeyed to another village.

The Cost of Discipleship 57 As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, "I will

follow you wherever you go." 58 Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have

nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head." 59 And to another he said, "Follow me." But he replied, "(Lord,) let me go first

and bury my father." 60 But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and

proclaim the kingdom of God." 61 And another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my

family at home." 62 (To him) Jesus said, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to

what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God."

A simple outline!

Gospel reading: Luke 9,51-62Context of Journey 51 When the days for his

being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, 52 and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, 53 but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?" 55 Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56 and they journeyed to another village.

Commentary Our text describes the beginning of Jesus’ journey to

Jerusalem. Luke has a very long journey narrative of Jesus compared with Matthew and Mark.

In v.51 “for his being taken up” means his ascension. Jesus’ ascension into heaven begins with his journey to Jerusalem (where he will die).

Notice important words: “he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem.” (No one can stop / distract him.)

In v.52, Jesus sends advance party to prepare the people to receive him.

In v.53, the Samaritans do not accept him. Reason: he is going to Jerusalem. They have prejudice against the Jews.

There is a historical reason of the animosity between the Samaritans and the Jews.

In v.54, the named disciples, James and John, want to invoke punishment upon Samaria. (These 2 followers show violent feelings, want to replicate Sodom and Gomorrah).

In v.55, Jesus rebukes them; they go another village. (Here it is presumed they are accepted. Not all Samaritan villages are against Jesus).

Gospel reading: Luke 9,51-62The Cost of Discipleship 57 As they were proceeding on

their journey someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." 58 Jesus answered him,

"Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head."

59 And to another he said, "Follow me." But he replied, "(Lord,) let me go first and bury my father." 60 But he answered him, "Let

the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God."

61 And another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home." 62 (To him) Jesus said, "No

one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God."

Vv.57-62 describes what happens on the way. Three “disciples-to-be” encounter with Jesus. The first and the third volunteer to follow, saying

“I will follow you.” The second is invited.

The cost of discipleship The first candidate volunteers to go with him

wherever he goes. He does not seem to know the implications of what he is volunteering for.

Jesus answers with the 1st cost of discipleship: nowhere to lay one’s head, no comfort, no

security of family and loved ones, exposure to bad elements and hostility, coming out into the open, vulnerable. vv.57-58

The second candidate is invited, but wants to spend more time with the dead.

Jesus’ answer indicates the second cost of discipleship. To follow him, Jesus does not allow delay.

Mission is urgent. Jesus is on the go. You may not find him anymore, after you bury your dead. vv.59-60

The third candidate volunteers but he wants to say good bye to his loved ones. Jesus’ answer indicates that in discipleship,

there is no looking back. Vv.61-62

Gospel reading: Luke 9,51-62Context of Journey 51 When the days for his being taken up

were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, 52 and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, 53 but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?" 55 Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56 and they journeyed to another village.

The Cost of Discipleship 57 As they were proceeding on their journey

someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." 58 Jesus answered him, "Foxes have

dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head."

59 And to another he said, "Follow me." But he replied, "(Lord,) let me go first and bury my father." 60 But he answered him, "Let the dead

bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God."

61 And another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home." 62 (To him) Jesus said, "No one who

sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God."

Jesus is very strict here on the urgency of mission.

When Elisha wanted to bid good bye to his father and mother, Elijah allowed him.

For Jesus, following him entails immediate action, no dilly dallying.

No delaying tactics, to be fit for the kingdom of God.

Reflections on the gospel reading To be a disciple, one must journey with Jesus (hindi

magpapaiwan). Jesus allows no delay because he is always on the go. Christian discipleship is not living a comfortable life. It is an

itinerant life, trusting in the goodness of the Lord and the people. To be a disciple, one must be prepared to accept rejection. A disciple is a pilgrim who is not punitive and does not spouse

violence, when he meets opposition. He does not pretend to be powerful.

Discipleship entails radicalism: total disconnection from your loved ones even the dead ones.

To be fit for the kingdom of God (to be a disciple), Jesus is against attachments that will delay or never allow you to follow Jesus.

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm The first reading is the call of Elisha as disciple of Elijah. The psalm talks about a full-blast disciple of God,

always praising and trusting in him. The second reading is about living in freedom. This is

the essence of Christian discipleship. The gospel reading is about the cost of discipleship.

How to develop your sharing / homilyHow to develop your sharing / homily

Relate how you became a disciple / student of a famous person. He/She may be a good priest, good bishop, astute businessman, good

motivational speaker, good professor, good preacher, etc.

What did you do to become his/her good disciple? I read his/her notes/books. I listened to his/her talks.

I attended his seminars / classes. I bought his/her books/CDs. I follow him/her in the Facebook.

We want to follow a great teacher that should inspire us / give us some light and meaning to our lives and help do greater things.

Yet we should also know how to be a good follower / disciple.

The liturgical for this Sunday is about discipleship.

The first reading teaches us how to be a good disciple. We give up our job, our work, our family and loved ones

and follow a teacher. Elisha gave up everything and followed Elijah. Elisha

learned how to prophesy through Elijah.

The second reading also teaches us how to be good disciples.

We must live in freedom. Discipleship is living in Christ. It is not living in the flesh (material and sinful world), but

living in the Spirit.

The gospel reading tells us the cost of discipleship. The disciple must give up his/her comfort zone. The disciple must not delay in responding. He/she must give up his/her delaying tactics. (He/She

will overcome by old age or death.) He/she must give priority to the mission or else

he/she will be left behind. The disciple must always be consistent and decisive. If he/she says yes to the Lord, he/she should not

take his/her word back. The disciple must give up his/her personal agenda in favor of Jesus.

Read the life of St. Francis of Assisi, a disciple of Christ par excellence.

What keeps us from being true disciples of Jesus? Refusal to give up (modify) our routine and lifestyle, and

learn from the Master. (1st reading)

Being distracted by the false priorities and values, the false teachings on freedom. (2nd reading)

Too little knowledge about what it entails to be a disciple of Jesus (sacrifice).

Discipleship is not a life of comfort. (gospel) Too much attachment to his/her own time / place /

name / title / phase / attitude / character / values. (gospel).

We are not true disciples if we are not mentored by assigned / authorized teachers, not attending ongoing formation, not wanting to be disturbed in our routines, not living in Christ and in the Spirit but in sin and in our

un-freedoms, insisting on our convenience and attachments claiming we are volunteers only (therefore, they should not

demand anything more what we are willing to give) and bargaining to lessen the burden.We are not actually journeying with Jesus. We are just

opportunists (taking a free ride) and false disciples.

The eucharist is the food of the true disciples of Christ.

Having been detached from all sorts of things, we journey with Christ to participate in the holy Eucharist, like the apostles at the Last Supper.

In the eucharist, we celebrate our freedom as children of God and disciples of Christ.

Our Context of Sin and Grace Inability to follow a credible

person Competes with a leader,

grandstands Attachment to things and

persons Short lived commitments Slow to respond, always late False member, false disciple Cannot commit at all, no

freedom Undetermined follower Immature faith

Detachment from things and loved ones

Able to commit On time, has sense of time Able to journey and

accompany a leader Willing to learn from a leader,

open, humble Living evangelical vows Enjoys freedom to respond In full communion with the

leader, with the Church

Suggested Songs Follow Christ Long Road to Freedom Come Build My Church

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZugkzkgjDk Francis’ Dream

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBe4GJV_5TU Come To Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID90ryPYU00

Dear sisters and brothers,

If you feel you are called to priestly and religious life, better respond now. Don't delay. Don't enter when you are already sickly and old.

Fr. Cielo