The third Sunday of Ordinary Time C coincides this year with the conclusion of the National Bible Week celebration the aim of which is to help Christian families read the Scriptures as what it is, the Book of the Church. Quite appropriately, the gospel theme for the third Sunday is Jesus' proclamation of the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah about the Year of the Lord's Favor. It is Christ who gives meaning to the words of Scriptures, the Word Incarnate that is echoed in many words of men. Read the relevant article here and use the following as your guide.
1. We don't know much about Theophilus. We know however from Luke's coverletter that he had requested the evangelist for an orderly presentation of the things he already knew from catechism.
Reflect. There are Catholics who think they already know all that is to be learned about their faith? Are you one of them? There are however other Catholics who continue to deepen their knowledge about their faith through personal study. Are you one of these? How do you deepen your understanding of the faith?
2. Christ is the fulfillment of Scriptures. It is he who gives us the intelligence to understand the Inspired Word.
Reflect: When you read the Scriptures, is it so that you can be closely united to the Total Christ -- the Head and the Body? Or do you read it simply for information?
3. Today we conclude the celebration of Bible Week. The whole purpose of the celebration is that households enshrine the Scriptures and resolve to read it as family.
Reflect: The Scriptures is the Book of the Church and therefore in a special way of the family, the cell church. How have you made the reading of the Scriptures a family affair?
