Sunday Readings Commentary and Reflections

5th Sunday in the Ordinary Time B February 8, 2015

In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy

As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1st Reading: Job 7,1-4.6-7

• Job spoke, saying:1 Is not man's life on earth a drudgery? Are not his days those of a hireling? 2 He is a slave who longs for the shade, a hireling who waits for his wages. 3 So I have been assigned months of misery, and troubled nights have been told off for me. 4 If in bed I say, "When shall I arise?" then the night drags on; I am filled with restlessness until the dawn. 6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle; they come to an end without hope. 7 Remember that my life is like the wind; I shall not see happiness again.

The focus is on man’s life.

1st Reading: Job 7,1-4.6-7

• Job spoke, saying: 1 Is not man's life on earth a drudgery? Are not his days those of a hireling? 2 He is a slave who longs for the shade, a hireling who waits for his wages. 3 So I have been assigned months of misery, and troubled nights have been told off for me. 4 If in bed I say, "When shall I arise?" then the night drags on; I am filled with restlessness until the dawn. 6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle; they come to an end without hope. 7 Remember that my life is like the wind; I shall not see happiness again.

Take note of the underlined words. They describe man’s life.

1st Reading: Job 7,1-4.6-7

• Job spoke, saying: 1 Is not man's life on earth a drudgery? Are not his days those of a hireling? 2 He is a slave who longs for the shade, a hireling who waits for his wages. 3 So I have been assigned months of misery, and troubled nights have been told off for me. 4 If in bed I say, "When shall I arise?" then the night drags on; I am filled with restlessness until the dawn. 6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle; they come to an end without hope. 7 Remember that my life is like the wind; I shall not see happiness again.

Commentary:

• The tone is pessimistic.

• It comes from somebody who is suffering from physical and psychological pain.

• Hireling / slave refers to one living without freedom, consolation and respite.

• The author uses the following words/phrases to describe life:

– Drudgery (military fighting and forced labor), v.1

– Months of misery (prolonged sufferings),v.3

Nighttime

– Troubled nights (sleepless nights),v.3

– Night drags on,v.4

– Restlessness until dawn (can’t enjoy sleep), v.4

Daytime

– Days swifter than a weaver.(during the day, as if Job is not accomplishing anything)

– Days end without hope

– Life like a wind (so short that it can’t be enjoyed),

no happiness.

• In other words, life is unfair for Job.

Textual and Historical Contexts

Outline by Skehan

1. Prose Introduction: the affliction of Job (ch. 1–2).

2. Three Cycles of Dialogue between Job and his friends (ch. 3–28).

a. Opening Plaint: Job curses the day of his birth (ch. 3). b. First (ch. 4–14), Second (ch. 15–21), and Third (ch. 22–27) Cycles of

Dialogue between Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, and Job.

c. Encomium of Wisdom, accessible only to God (ch. 28).

3. Job’s Review of His Case before God (ch. 29–31).

4. The Intervention of Elihu (ch. 32–37).

5. The Lord’s Response to Job (ch. 38–42.6).

6. Prose Conclusion: the restoration of Job (ch.42.7–17).

6th or 5th century BC, in

Palestine

Reflections on the 1st reading • Like Job, we can be pessimistic.

• We feel we are not accomplishing anything.

• Life has no meaning.

• We feel bad about ourselves. We are just slaves,

insignificant, of no importance to others.

• We don’t enjoy rest and sleep. We have no freedom,

no joy.

• Life can be miserable. No joy.

• Can we be optimistic?

• We should recognize / acknowledge our misery or

crisis if we are in it. Denials do not help.

• Read further the story of Job. There is a resolution.

Resp. Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 • R. (cf. 3a) Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.

• 1 Praise the LORD, for he is good; sing praise to our God, for he is gracious; it is fitting to praise him. 2 The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem; the dispersed of Israel he gathers.

• 4 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. 4 He tells the number of the stars; he calls each by name.

• 5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; to his wisdom there is no limit. 6 The LORD sustains the lowly; the wicked he casts to the ground.

Resp. Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

• R. (cf. 3a) Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.

• 1 Praise the LORD, for he is good; sing praise to our God, for he is gracious; it is fitting to praise him. 2 The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem; the dispersed of Israel he gathers.

• 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. 4 He tells the number of the stars; he calls each by name.

• 5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; to his wisdom there is no limit. 6 The LORD sustains the lowly; the wicked he casts to the ground.

Commentary

• The psalm is a song of praise to the Lord.

• V.1 exhorts us to praise God, to sing praise to him.

• The following verses give the reasons why: – The Lord reconstitutes Jerusalem, by

gathering together its inhabitants who were once dispersed (banished). V.2

– He heals the wounded, psychologically and physically. V.3

– He keeps alive the poor and the lowly.v.6

– He destroys the wicked (those who make the life of Israel difficult).

• Vv.4-5 tell of God’s power and infinite wisdom.

Reflections on the Psalm

• No matter what situation we are in we must

acknowledge the power of God.

• People of ancient Israel have experienced

healing and restoration.

• God makes the poor survive.

• We will experience the same.

• When we praise God, we acknowledge that God

has the last word.

2nd Reading: 1 Cor 9,16-19.22-23

• 16 If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it! 17 If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What then is my recompense? That, when I preach, I offer the gospel free of charge so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. 19 Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. 23 All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it. 24 Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win.

The focus is on preaching the gospel.

2nd Reading: 1 Cor 9,16-19.22-23

Preaching the gospel

• 16 If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it! 17 If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship.

Free of charge

• 18 What then is my recompense? That, when I preach, I offer the gospel free of charge so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

Identification with the poor

• 19 Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. 23 All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.

Athletes

• 24 Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win.

A simple outline!

2nd Reading: 1 Cor 9,16-19.22-23 Preaching the gospel

• 16 If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it! 17 If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship.

Free of charge

• 18 What then is my recompense? That, when I preach, I offer the gospel free of charge so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

Identification with the poor

• 19 Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. 23 All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.

Athletes

• 24 Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win.

Commentary

• Preaching is an obligation. Paul has no choice but to preach. Not to preach is not a right thing to do. V.16

• Preaching as free act demands legitimate recompense as a preacher. If ordered or forced to preach, he will be paid like a slave. V.17

• Paul here preaches freely but he does not invoke his right to be paid. V.18

• Instead, he even lowers himself down (to become slave, weak, all things) for a purpose to win over converts. Vv.19-22

• At the end, Paul too might have his share (that is his recompense). V.23

• In v.24, Paul uses an analogy of a competition to back up his point on preaching the gospel.

• Preaching (running) has its built-in reward.

Textual and Historical Contexts

(Boring, 2012)

8,1-13 Food, knowledge, and love

9,1-27 Having rights, insisting on them, and giving them up

10-1-22 The biblical example of Israel

10,23—11,1 Do all for the glory of God and the sake of the Christian

mission

Written in Ephesus in AD 55

Reflections on the second reading

• Preaching is the task of a missionary called by God.

• Though the preacher has the right to be supported, preaching as such is not an occupation.

• It is not a money making business.

• If you are a preacher and you are changing your lifestyle, better review your motivations.

• Money is not the ultimate goal of preaching.

• Preaching is identifying with the poor and the needy, not appearing as better off than they.

Gospel Reading: Mark 1,29-39 Healing of Peter’s mother-in-law

• 29 On leaving the synagogue he entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. 30 Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. 31 He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

Healings and Exorcisms

• 32 When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. 33 The whole town was gathered at the door. 34 He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Leaving Capernaum for other places

• 35 Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and those who were with him pursued him 37 and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you." 38 He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come." 39 So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

The gospel reading is about Jesus’ activities preaching included.

A simple outline!

Commentary

• The reading reports a series of Jesus’ activity in one day. – In the morning, Jesus preaches in the synagogue (read

in previous liturgy), after which he goes to the house of Peter where he cures his mother-in-law.

– In the afternoon, he cures the sick and cast out demons.

– Next day, he leaves Capernaum to preach in other places in Galilee.

• The text read gives an impression that we should talk about healings and exorcisms. It can be done.

• The preacher must bear in mind that the healings, etc. are done in the context of preaching. Jesus first preaches and then heals and casts out demons.

Commentary

• The preacher must bear in mind that the healings, etc. are done in the context of preaching. Jesus first preaches and then heals and casts out demons.

• The preacher must be reminded that Jesus preaches the kingdom of God. His miracles are concrete signs that the kingdom of God is come.

• When he leaves Capernaum, he has this purpose: "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.“ He also went into their synagogues and did the same thing as in Capernaum.

Textual and Historical Contexts

Outline by Giblin

•1,16-20 Call of Simon and

Andrew, James and John (to be

fishers of men)

•1,21-34 A Day at Capernaum

(teaching with power; exorcism

cures)

•1,35-45 Throughout Galilee

(preaching; exorcisms; cure of

leper

•2,1-12 Return to Capernaum

(preaching; forgiveness and cure of

paralytic

Reflections on the gospel reading

• In preaching, we advance the kingdom of God.

• Preaching is talking about the good news.

• Preaching is not only sharing our knowledge about the Bible and the articles of our faith, but also healing broken relationships and building communities.

• It includes restoration of persons to their original dignity as human beings, which is lost due to sin.

• Preaching is a missionary and itinerant activity.

• No true preacher is tied down to one place or one group of people.

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm

• The 1st reading talks about Job’s preaching (sharing of

pessimism) of man’s life as an experience of hardship and

hopelessness.

• The psalm expresses optimism.

• The 2nd reading talks about the preaching of Paul (to win

converts).

• The gospel reading talks about the preaching of Jesus (to proclaim the kingdom of God).

How to develop your homily / sharing

• Preaching is indispensable in the life of one who is sent.

• To preach is to bear the message of the One who sends.

• To preach is to approach people.

• The purpose of preaching is to convince them to believe

that God’s kingdom is at hand and that they must repent

and believe in the gospel.

"This is the time of fulfillment.

The kingdom of God is at hand.

Repent, and believe in the gospel.“ – Mk 1,15

• The gospel reading gives us a sample of Jesus’

day to day ministry: healing, exorcising and then

preaching.

• To complete the picture of his activities, we have

to go back to gospel reading last Sunday (4th

Sunday B).

• There when he comes to his hometown, he goes

to the synagogue and preach. Then he heals

and exorcises… the pattern continues in the

gospel of Mark.

• Preaching is proclaiming God’s closeness to us.

• God is now taking hold of us.

• He is snatching us away from evil.

• Through his Son, God is helping us eradicate

sickness and hopelessness.

• Preaching is not just the work of a priest or an ordained

minister. (Of course, we should distinguish it from the preaching in the

Mass which is reserved to ordained ministers like the priests and the

deacons.)

• Baptized lay people also share in the work of preaching.

• Our people need good preachers nowadays.

• Good preachers are those who really proclaim God’s

kingdom, who give hope to the poor and who uplift

everyone in the spirit.

• They love the poor. They are prophetic.

• They are engaged more in the lives of the people than in

the sacristy.

• They preach none other than Jesus Christ.

• Good preachers are not those who give you

entertainment or who attack other people or religions.

• They preach without pomp and glamour.

• You can discern who the good preachers are:

– They are couth (they carefully choose their words).

– They organize their thoughts. They can be poetic.

– They are learned and understand the Bible, the Church doctrines

and traditions and the society.

– They move you to conversion. They don’t make you pious or

fanatic, but committed and engaged Christians.

– They are pastoral. They are concerned about the common and

greater good.

– They lead you to Christ, not to themselves.

• Good preaching inspires us to a more

meaningful reception of the eucharist.

• In the eucharist, we allow ourselves to be taken

over by Jesus and to be healed by him who

continues to preach to us through the preachers.

• The eucharist is the ultimate reward here on

earth for us who take to heart the Word of God.

Our Context of Sin and Grace

• Demagogues

• Full of gimmicks

• Emphasis more on jokes,

TV stories, very little about

the readings

• Unprepared homilies

• Long homilies

• No theology

• Insensitive to life’s

situations

• Pastor’s lack of preparation

and training

• Trained speakers

• Persuasive, convincing

speakers

• Bias for the poor

• Sympathetic to those who

suffer

• Inspiring speakers

• Maximizing prophetic ministry

• Use of technology to enhance

preaching

• Down to earth homilies

• Homilist with solid theological

foundation

• Speaking from the heart

Suggested Songs

• Set Me Free (for the 1st reading)

– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu8qdQZDPB4

• Mission of Man

• Go Tell Everyone

• Let us now go

• We need one another – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9VZdkKrTdI