Third Sunday in Ordinary Time - C January 24, 2010

Nehemiah 8: 2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 1 Corinthians 12: 12-14 Luke 1: 1-4, 14-21

If, as I suggested last week, there is a desire to gain some substance or meaning from the message or communication of God that is to be found in the readings we hear at Mass from the Scriptures or Bible, it helps to give them a context or setting . It makes them easier, I believe to understand. In saying this, I do not necessarily mean the background or history of the passages as much as a context that relates to the present.

For example, a familiar PBS program is the “Antique Road Show.” It must be popular because every year there are new episodes. The premise of the program is simple. Auctioneers or experts go to different cities where individuals bring to them objects from their homes. These objects could have been handed down within their families, or stored in an attic, garage or basement. Perhaps they were even bought for a small price at a yard sale. The expert does two things. First, the object is explained - where it was made, perhaps some history behind it, what significance it might have. The second part is more fascinating and even exciting. A value is placed on the object. What may have seemed to be junk that was forgotten or put aside can be worth hundreds and even thousands of dollars. The owner may not be able to sell it if there is not a buyer, but the owner is advised to protect it with insurance.

Thinking of this program suggests and understanding of the first reading we heard today from the author, Nehemiah. We can look at what is described in the reading as an episode of the “Antiques Road Show.” When Jerusalem was being restored after a period of exile, a tragic episode in the history of the Chosen People, the “Book of the Law,” a scroll of sacred writings had been found. Nehemiah, as a leader of the people, stands before them and reads it to them. This is the way it would have had to be done at that time. He reads to them from what we know as the first books of the Bible, the story of creation, the ancient founders or patriarchs of the nation, the exile in Egypt, the desert journey and the leadership of Moses, the covenant with God and the settling of the Promised Land. It is the story of God’s love and care for them as God’s Chosen People. Their response, like that on “Antiques Road Show” is one of excitement and celebration. Much like the premise on the television show, Nehemiah is telling the people that the relationship with God belonged to them, it was theirs, and it was valuable beyond their imagination.

In a way, the same sort of thing is happening in the story we heard from the Gospel, the story told by Saint Luke. Luke understands what he has experienced in learning of the ministry of Jesus and so he is writing it down and passing it on. In telling of the beginning of that ministry, he recalls an event similar to what was recorded about Nehemiah. A familiar and well-known passage from the prophet Isaiah is read in the synagogue. It is a passage the listeners may have heard time and again. Jesus tells them that these are not just dusty words from the past, they describe what is happening right now. “I am with you, I am the meaning of those words, I am the fulfillment of that passage.” The words have taken flesh, they are real, right here, right now.

Today, right now, it is like an episode of “Antiques Road Show” for us. This is a way for us to understand what we have in our faith, in our religion. Perhaps, for us, it might be as if our faith is kept in the corner of our personal attics. Or, perhaps, it is on display on a table in our living rooms. However we may live out our faith, it is a part of our lives - it is what brings us here now. But this faith, this belief, is to have an effect on our lives. It is to be lived and valued and shared in our daily living. The message of God to us, is like that of the expert on the show” do we know, do we appreciate, do we know the value what it is that we have? Do we guard it, protect it, insure it so that its value is truly realized?

We are also reminded today by Saint Paul, that the value of our faith comes from what we are together, as believers. We, in being together here, though many, are one. The strength and reinforcement of what we believe comes from being together because it is here that our faith is nourished by God and by one another.

What we believe, the value that this belief and practice possesses, affects and transforms our lives. What we are told in our faith, in the Scriptures we hear, is that we are loved, each one of us. We have value and importance in our lives because of God’s love for us.

It is not difficult to imagine that when something is brought to the “Antiques Road Show” and it is explained as having a great value and importance, it is looked upon and considered, it is protected and insured, in a much different light than before. So we are told today, by the message we have heard from God, that what we have and what we do living out our faith, is to be recognized, protected and insured. We are loved by God. This is our faith. This is our belief. This is to guide all aspects of our lives. We are not to hesitate to display, to show, and to be affected by this faith. We are to live this awareness and appreciation we possess of the love of our good and gracious God.