Here are some of the themes that we see in the Mass readings for the 3rd Sunday of the Year.

1st Reading – Nehemiah 8:2-4a,5-6,8-10

• Ezra the priest reads from the book of the law of God from daybreak until midday.
• Nehemiah joins Ezra and the Levites to proclaim to the people to rejoice in the Lord who is their strength.

Psalm – 19:8-10,15

• “Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.”
• The law of the Lord gives wisdom and joy, refreshing the heart and enlightening the eye.

2nd Reading – 1st Corinthians 12:12-30

• Just as a body has many parts but comprises a unity, so also the Church to Christ.
• As individual parts of the body of Christ, we all have purpose and work together.

Gospel – Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

• The beginning of Luke’s Gospel introduces his work to a person named Theophilus.
• Jesus comes to the synagogue in Nazareth, where he proclaims to the people present that the prophecy of Isaiah (61:1-2) is fulfilled.

Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of the Year (#69)

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