God reconciles humanity to himself through Christ. Those who are in Christ are a new creation, with the old things passed away. God has given humanity the ministry of reconciliation by entrusting us with the message of reconciliation and making us ambassadors for Christ. We implore others to be reconciled to God, for Christ was made sin for our sake so that we may become the righteousness of God in him.

1. Welcome to our BiBle
Study
44thth
SundSundaay of Lent C (Laetare Sunday)y of Lent C (Laetare Sunday)
6 March 20166 March 2016
In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgyIn preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy
In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1st
Reading: Joshua 5,9a.10-12
• 9a The Lord said to Joshua: “Today I have
removed the reproach of Egypt from you.” 10
While the Israelites were encamped at Gilgal on
the plains of Jericho, they celebrated the
Passover on the evening of the fourteenth of the
month. 11 On the day after the Passover they
ate of the produce of the land in the form of
unleavened cakes and parched grain. On that
same day 12 after the Passover on which they
ate of the produce of the land, the manna
ceased. No longer was there manna for the
Israelites, who that year ate of the yield of the
land of Canaan.
The focus is on the Passover.

3. 11stst
Reading: Joshua 5,9a.10-12Reading: Joshua 5,9a.10-12
Israel now free from Egypt
• 9a The Lord said to Joshua: “Today I have removed the
reproach of Egypt from you.”
Passover Celebration
• 10 While the Israelites were encamped at Gilgal on the
plains of Jericho, they celebrated the Passover on the
evening of the fourteenth of the month.
Eating of the Produce of the Land
• 11 On the day after the Passover they ate of the produce
of the land in the form of unleavened cakes and parched
grain. On that same day 12 after the Passover on which
they ate of the produce of the land, the manna ceased.
No longer was there manna for the Israelites, who that
year ate of the yield of the land of Canaan.
A simple outline!

4. Textual Context Joshua 5,9a.10-12Joshua 5,9a.10-12
Part I The Conquest of the Land of Canaan (Jos 1,1—12,24)
• 1,1-18 Introduction
• 2,1-25 Joshua send spies to Jericho
• 3,1--5,1 The Israelites Cross the Jordan
• 5,2-15 Final Preparations for the Conquest
• 6,1-27 The Conquest of Jericho
• 7,1—8,35 The Sin of Achan and the Conquest of Ai
• 9,1-27 The Covenant with the Gibeonites
• 10,1-27 The Battle at Gibeon
• 10,28—11,23 The Conquest of the Entire Land
• 12,1-24 List of Conquered Kings
Part II Distribution of the Land (Jos 13,1—21,45)
• 13,1—19,51 Tribal Allotments
• 13,1-33 Introduction and distribution of the land to the Eastern tribes:
• Reuben, Gad, half-tribe of Manasseh
• 14,1—17,18 Distribution of the land to Caleb, Judah, and the Joseph tribes
• 18,1—19,51 Distribution of the land to Benjamin, Simeon, Zebulon, Issachar
• Asher, Naphtali, Dan, and the personal territory of Joshua
• 20,1-19 Cities of Refuge
• 21,1-45 The Levitical Cities
Part III Conclusion (Jos 22,1—24,33)
• 22,1-34 Dismissal of the Transjordan tribes and their altar
• 23,1-16 Joshua’s farewell speech
• 24,1-28 The Shechem Assembly
• 5,1-9 The New Generation Circumcised
• 5,10-12 The Passover at Gilgal
• 5,13-15 Joshua’s Vision

5. Gilgal

6. 11stst
Reading: Joshua 5,9a.10-12Reading: Joshua 5,9a.10-12
Israel now free from Egypt
• 9a The Lord said to Joshua:
“Today I have removed the
reproach of Egypt from you.”
Passover Celebration
• 10 While the Israelites were
encamped at Gilgal on the plains
of Jericho, they celebrated the
Passover on the evening of the
fourteenth of the month.
Eating of the Produce of the Land
• 11 On the day after the Passover
they ate of the produce of the
land in the form of unleavened
cakes and parched grain. On that
same day 12 after the Passover
on which they ate of the produce
of the land, the manna ceased.
No longer was there manna for
the Israelites, who that year ate of
the yield of the land of Canaan.
Commentary
• In v.9a, God declares that
Israel’s bondage in Egypt is over.
• V.10 indicates that they are now
in the Promised Land.
• The Israelites celebrate the
Passover in Jericho, near the
Jordan River.
• In v.11, for the first time, the
Israelites eat the produce of the
Promised Land.
– Unleavened cakes and grain
• V.12 indicates that as soon as
the Israelites eat the produce of
the Land, there is no more
manna.

7. Reflections on the 1Reflections on the 1stst
readingreading
• God brings to fulfillment the promise he made to
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to Moses and to his people
Israel.
• The Israelites are finally home. The mission of God is
accomplished.
• The Israelites celebrate their coming home with meals.
• Their journey from Egypt starts with the Passover meal;
it also concludes with the same.
• They also eat the local food.
• Meals here are intended not just to fill up empty
stomachs. They have symbolic meanings.
• When we eat, do we find spiritual meaning in it?

8. Resp. Ps 34: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
• R. (9a) Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
• 2 I will bless the LORD at all times;
• his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
• 3 Let my soul glory in the LORD;
• the lowly will hear me and be glad.
• 4 Glorify the LORD with me,
• let us together extol his name.
• 5 I sought the LORD, and he answered me
• and delivered me from all my fears.
• 6 Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
• and your faces may not blush with shame.
• When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
• and from all his distress he saved him.

9. Resp. Ps 34:2-6
• R. (9a) Taste and see the goodness
of the Lord.
• 2 I will bless the LORD at all times;
• his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
• 3 Let my soul glory in the LORD;
• the lowly will hear me and be glad.
• 4 Glorify the LORD with me,
• let us together extol his name.
• 5 I sought the LORD, and he
answered me
• and delivered me from all my fears.
• 6 Look to him that you may be radiant
with joy, and your faces may not
blush with shame.
• When the poor one called out, the
LORD heard,
• and from all his distress he saved
him.
Commentary
• In vv.2-3, the psalmist promises
to bless the Lord always, in
parallel form.
• As a result, the lowly will be glad
when they hear him.
• In v.4, the psalmist invites
others to glorify God with him,
for answering his prayers. V.5.
• In v.6, the psalmist invites
others to gaze at God, to radiate
with joy and cast away shame.
• The psalm calls for a
celebration, for God hears the
cry of the poor.

10. Reflections on the Psalm
• Christians, who receive many favors from
the Lord, must always bless the Lord.
• In public, they must acknowledge God’s
goodness.
• There is no such thing as celebrating all
alone by oneself.
• Celebrations must be contagious.

11. 22ndnd
Reading: 2 Cor 5,17-21Reading: 2 Cor 5,17-21
• 17 Whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the
old things have passed away; behold, new
things have come. 18 And all this is from God,
who has reconciled us to himself through Christ
and given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19
namely, God was reconciling the world to
himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses
against them and entrusting to us the message
of reconciliation. 20 So we are ambassadors for
Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We
implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to
God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin
who did not know sin, so that we might become
the righteousness of God in him.
The focus is on reconciliation

12. 22ndnd
Reading: 2 Cor 5,17-21Reading: 2 Cor 5,17-21
New creation
• 17 Whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have
passed away; behold, new things have come.
Description of God, the reconciler
• 18 And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself
through Christ
Ministry of reconciliation
• and given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, God was
reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their
trespasses against them and
• entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
Ministry of reconciliation in action
• 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing
through us.
• We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For
our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we
might become the righteousness of God in him.
A simple outline!

13. Textual Context of 2 Cor 5,17-212 Cor 5,17-21
JBC
Letter A (1 - 9)
• I. Introduction 1,1-11
• II. Part I: A canceled visit to Corinth. 1,12—2,13
• III. Part II: Authentic Apostleship 2,14—6,10
• A. The apostolate: theory and practice 2,14—3,6
• B. Ministry: old and new 3,7—4,6
• C. Ministry and morality 4,7—5,10
• D. Reconciliation in a new creation 5,11—6,10
• IV. Part III: Relations with Corinth 6,11—7,4
• A. Appeals for openness 6,11—7,4
• B. The results of the mission of Titus 7,5-16
• V. Part IV: The collection for Jerusalem 8,1—9,15
• A. A challenging request 8,1-15
• B. The recommendation of representatives 8,16—9,5
• C. The rewards of generosity 9,6-15
Letter B (10 - 13)
• VI. Part I: An appeal for complete obedience 10,1-8
• A. The consequences of disobedience 10,1-6
• B. Paul's authority as founder of the community 10,7-18
• VII. Part II: Paul speaks like a fool 11,1—12,13
• A. His justification for being foolish 11,1-21a
• B. Paul's boast of himself 11,21b—12,10
• C. Further justification of his foolishness 12,11-13
• VIII. Part III: A warning prepares a visit 12,14—13,10
• A. Again the question of financial support 12,14-18
• B. The Corinthians must correct themselves 12,19—13,10
• IX. Conclusion 13,11-13

14. 22ndnd
Reading: 2 Cor 5,17-21Reading: 2 Cor 5,17-21
New creation
• 17 Whoever is in Christ is a new
creation: the old things have passed
away; behold, new things have come.
Description of God, the reconciler
• 18 And all this is from God, who has
reconciled us to himself through Christ
Ministry of reconciliation
• and given us the ministry of
reconciliation, 19 namely, God was
reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
not counting their trespasses against
them and
• entrusting to us the message of
reconciliation.
Ministry of reconciliation in action
• 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ,
as if God were appealing through us.
• We implore you on behalf of Christ, be
reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he
made him to be sin who did not know
sin, so that we might become the
righteousness of God in him.
Old creation gone, new has come. The
change is brought about in Christ.
The change is brought about by God the
reconciler.
The Christians are authorized /
commissioned to minister reconciliation.
(instruments of reconciliation)
Christians are to be reconciled to God.
God did something to his son (make him
a sin) for our sake that we might be
reconciled to him (become his
righteousness)
Paul picks up the meaning of being
reconcilers. He appropriates it and
applies it. (He says, “We implore you…

15. Reflections on the 2Reflections on the 2ndnd
readingreading
• This Lenten season calls us to be reconciled to God.
• We leave sin behind and live according to the will of
God.
• As enlightened and reconciled Christians, we are
enjoined to broker the reconciliation of our brethren with
God.
• God has done everything to reconcile us with him; we,
too, should do everything to become instruments of
reconciliation.
• Reconciliation with God means becoming new persons,
new creatures, letting go of the old ones.
• To be new is to be transformed; there is a new feeling;
new behavior and new way of relating with God and with
others.
• Guys, let God intervene in our lives; let us touch the lives
of others by being reconciled with God and with them.

16. Gospel Reading: Luke 15,1-3.11-32Gospel Reading: Luke 15,1-3.11-32
Setting:
• 1 The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to
him, 2 but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
"This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3 So to them he
addressed this parable.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
• 11 Then he said, "A man had two sons, 12 and the younger son
said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your estate that
should come to me.' So the father divided the property between
them. 13 After a few days, the younger son collected all his
belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his
inheritance on a life of dissipation. 14 When he had freely spent
everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found
himself in dire need. 15 So he hired himself out to one of the local
citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. 16 And he
longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody
gave him any. 17 Coming to his senses he thought, 'How many of
my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but
here am I, dying from hunger. 18 I shall get up and go to my father
and I shall say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and
against you. 19 I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me
as you would treat one of your hired workers."'

17. • 20 So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way
off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran
to his son, embraced him and kissed him. 21 His son said to him,
'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer
deserve to be called your son.' 22 But his father ordered his servants,
'Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and
sandals on his feet. 23 Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let
us celebrate with a feast, 24 because this son of mine was dead, and
has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' Then the
celebration began.
• 25 Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as
he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. 26 He
called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. 27 The
servant said to him, 'Your brother has returned and your father has
slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
28 He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father
came out and pleaded with him. 29 He said to his father in reply, 'Look,
all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet
you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. 30 But
when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.' 31 He said to him, 'My son, you
are here with me always; everything I have is yours. 32 But now we must
celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to
life again; he was lost and has been found.'"

18. CommentaryCommentary
• The gospel reading is divided into two parts:
– Vv.1-3 Introduction / reason for telling the parable
– Vv.11-32 The Parable (only in Luke)
• The younger son, the prodigal son, represents
sinners eating and drinking with Jesus.
• The older son, who appears much later in the
story, represents the Pharisees and scribes who
refuse to join the meal.

19. • The parable is an attempt to convince the
Pharisees and Scribes to associate with Jesus. For
the sinners and tax collectors have gone ahead of
them. Vv.1-3
• They, too, are sinners in the eyes of God.
• The ring, the robe and sandals are signs of the
restoration of the original dignity which was lost as
a result of living independently from God. Vv.22-23a
• The meal / party (eating and drinking) is a sign of
reconciliation, openness to what Jesus can offer
to them in their lives. (his teachings, wisdom, himself =
salvation). V.23b
Commentary, con’tCommentary, con’t

20. Reflections on the gospel
• We are all invited by God to go back to him.
• We are all sinners in his eyes.
• God is always available to take us back.
• He can forgive us no matter what we have done.
• There is so much joy when we are in his home.
• How are we responding to God’s invitation?

21. Tying the 3 readings and the PsalmTying the 3 readings and the Psalm
• The first reading talks about coming home (in the
promised land), highlighted with meals (passover and local
food).
• The psalm encourages us to taste and see the
goodness of the Lord.
• The second reading talks about reconciliation.
• The gospel reading talks about coming home,
being reconciled with the Father.

22. How to develop your homily and sharingHow to develop your homily and sharing
• Begin by talking about eating together with
your friends and family. (Happy, good for
bonding; there is acceptance, respect;
conversation; nice feeling).
• Eating is not only to fill our stomachs for
our nourishment; it has a cultural
dimension.
• Meals, banquets, and parties are
occasions to develop relationships and
friendships.

23. • In the readings, meals have religious meaning.
• The first reading mentions the Passover Meal.
• It recalls Israel’s liberation from Egypt.
• Food is a sign of God’s love and blessings.
• It points to a provident God.
• Eating local food in Canaan is a sign of God’s
fulfillment of his promise to bring back Israel to
the Promise Land.

24. • The second reading has nothing to do with
meals, but reconciliation.
• Indirectly, we can talk about meals here,
because we, as a family or community,
cannot have good meals / agape if we are
not reconciled with one another.
• Reconciliation is a pre-requisite to a
meaningful meal.

25. • The gospel reading is an invitation of
Jesus to join his meal. He wants to be
reconciled with sinners (vice versa).
• Here, meal does not only mean
associating with Jesus, but also listening
to his words, learning from him, being
identified with him.

26. • The self-righteous, like the Pharisees and
scribes, sinners as they are, are also
invited.
• But since they don’t recognize Jesus as
God-sent, they reject his invitation.
• For them, to eat with sinners is not the
right thing to do.
• What is the meaning of this?
• Refusal to eat with Jesus and sinners is a
refusal to be reconciled with God.

27. We must not be like the Pharisees who:
• distantiate themselves from Jesus.
• boycott or refuse to join the party
sponsored by him (eucharist).
• refuse to associate with him because
“other” people they avoid are there.
• relate with God as if they were not his
children, but employees and slaves. Luke
15,29

28. Instead, we must
• humbly admit our sinfulness and spiritual
poverty.
• draw near to Jesus and listen to his words.
• go home now and ask for forgiveness after
realizing our blunders / mistakes no matter
how serious or stupid they are.

29. • In our communities and parishes, we take
care to choose leaders, who are
reconciled with God, who receive the
sacraments (penance and eucharist).
• It is hard to work (we cannot work) with
people, who are not reconciled with
themselves and with other people and with
God.
• In fact, they should not lead our
communities.
• It is a big disaster in our parishes if the
leaders are not practicing catholics.

30. • The eucharist is a perfect meal for us,
Christians, who are reconciled with one
another and with God.
• In this eucharist, we celebrate God’s love
for all of us. We accept Jesus’ invitation to
be in communion with him.
• The eucharist is a sacrament that invites
us, sinners, for this grand homecoming in
our Father’s house.

31. Our Context of Sin and GraceOur Context of Sin and Grace
• Unforgiving
• Unreconciled
• Pharisaical
• Meaningless meals
• Spoils the party
• Goes to confession
• Agape
• Meals where no one is in
a hurry to leave
• Meals with conversation
• Passover Seder
• Reconciled with parents
and long-lost friends

32. Suggested SongsSuggested Songs
• Cry of the Poor
• Passover at SAS
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4JwhfpnWtM&list=PL8C0C3C57F9
• The Father of the Prodigal Son
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymK_ihMZk50
• Lost and Found
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYy2M4dB1iw

33. • Dear brothers and sisters,
• Let us be reconciled with God and be
home.
•
• Fr. Cielo