14th Sunday C

Welcome to Our Bible StudyWelcome to Our Bible Study
1414thth
Sunday in Ordinary Time CSunday in Ordinary Time C
3 July 20163 July 2016
In preparation for this Sunday’s LiturgyIn preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy
As aid in focusing our homilies and sharingAs aid in focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

11stst
reading: Isaiah 66:10-14reading: Isaiah 66:10-14
• 10 Thus says the Lord: O rejoice with Jerusalem and be
glad because of her, all you who love her; Exult, exult
with her, all you who were mourning over her! 11 Oh,
that you may suck fully of the milk of her comfort, that
you may nurse with delight at her abundant breasts! 12
For thus says the LORD: Lo, I will spread prosperity over
her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an
overflowing torrent. As nurslings, you shall be carried in
her arms, and fondled in her lap; 13 As a mother
comforts her son, so will I comfort you; in Jerusalem you
shall find your comfort. 14 When you see this, your
heart shall rejoice, and your bodies flourish like the
grass; The LORD'S power shall be known to his
servants, but to his enemies, his wrath.
The focus of the reading is to rejoice.

11stst
reading: Isaiah 66,10-14reading: Isaiah 66,10-14
Exhortation to rejoice
• 10 Thus says the Lord: O rejoice with Jerusalem and be
glad because of her, all you who love her; Exult, exult
with her, all you who were mourning over her! 11 Oh,
that you may suck fully of the milk of her comfort, that
you may nurse with delight at her abundant breasts!
God’s promises
• 12 For thus says the LORD: Lo, I will spread prosperity
over her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an
overflowing torrent. As nurslings, you shall be carried in
her arms, and fondled in her lap; 13 As a mother
comforts her son, so will I comfort you; in Jerusalem you
shall find your comfort. 14 When you see this, your
heart shall rejoice, and your bodies flourish like the
grass; The LORD'S power shall be known to his
A simple outline!

Textual Context of Isaiah 66:10-14Textual Context of Isaiah 66:10-14
• First Isaiah - 1-39
• Second Isaiah - 40-55
• Third Isaiah - 56-66
(Newsome)
56,1-8 A collection of statements dealing with the universal love of Yahweh
56,9 --57,21 Oracles concerning the sinfulness of the people and of Yahweh’s grace
58,1-14 Oracles concerning the importance of proper attitudes in worship
59,1-21 Statements concerning the sinfulness of the people and Yahweh’s promise of judgment
60,1-22 An oracle of salvation
61,1-11 An announcement of good tidings to the afflicted
62,1-12 Promises of Yahweh to Jerusalem
63,1-19 A declaration concerning Yahweh, the conqueror and judge
64.1-12 A prayer for Yahweh’s intervention
65,1--66,24 Further oracles of judgment and salvation

11stst
Exhortation to rejoice
• 10 Thus says the Lord:
• O rejoice with Jerusalem // and be glad because
of her, all you who love her //
• Exult, exult with her, all you who were mourning
over her!
• 11 Oh, that you may suck fully of the milk of her
comfort, // that you may nurse with delight at her
abundant breasts!
Observe the parallelisms.

God’s promises
• 12 For thus says the LORD:
• Lo, I will spread prosperity over her like a river, //
and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing
torrent.
• As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, //
and fondled in her lap; (simile)
• 13 As a mother comforts her son, so will I
comfort you; // in Jerusalem you shall find your
comfort. (simile)
• 14 When you see this, your heart shall rejoice,
and your bodies flourish like the grass.
• The LORD'S power shall be known to his

11stst
• 10 Thus says the Lord: O rejoice
with Jerusalem and be glad
because of her, all you who love
her; Exult, exult with her, all you who
were mourning over her! 11 Oh,
that you may suck fully of the milk of
her comfort, that you may nurse with
delight at her abundant breasts! 12
For thus says the LORD: Lo, I will
spread prosperity over her like a
river, and the wealth of the nations
like an overflowing torrent. As
nurslings, you shall be carried in her
arms, and fondled in her lap; 13 As
a mother comforts her son, so will I
comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall
find your comfort. 14 When you see
this, your heart shall rejoice, and
your bodies flourish like the grass;
The LORD'S power shall be known
to his servants, but to his enemies,
his wrath.
Commentary
• The reading exhorts the
people (Jews) to rejoice over
the city of Jerusalem.
• The text gives the reasons
why, using the style of
parallelism and similes.
• Jerusalem is a sacred city of
the Jews. It is where the
Temple (presence, shekinah, the
dwelling place) is.
• Jerusalem is a cause of
rejoicing, just as it was a cause
of sorrow when it was
destroyed by the Babylonians.

11stst
her; Exult, exult with her, all you who
were mourning over her! 11 Oh,
that you may suck fully of the milk of
her comfort, that you may nurse with
delight at her abundant breasts! 12
For thus says the LORD: Lo, I will
spread prosperity over her like a
river, and the wealth of the nations
like an overflowing torrent. As
nurslings, you shall be carried in her
arms, and fondled in her lap; 13 As
a mother comforts her son, so will I
comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall
find your comfort. 14 When you see
this, your heart shall rejoice, and
your bodies flourish like the grass;
The LORD'S power shall be known
to his servants, but to his enemies,
his wrath.
• V.10 is an invitation to the
readers to rejoice // to be glad.
• V.10 also indicates the one who
should rejoice: the ones who
love her. The Jewish people had
a particular affection to this city
on a mountain top.
• V.11 uses the imagery of a child
sucking milk with delight from the
breast of its mother abundant
with milk. (breastfed = healthy baby)
• V.12 spells out the reason why
the Jews should rejoice: God will
give them prosperity and wealth
(because they have been
impoverished by their conquerors).
• V.12 “like a river” // “overflowing
torrent” (simile) = impressive
body of flowing water (endless flow
of gallons and gallons of water, endless
supply which gives life)

11stst
her; Exult, exult with her, all you
who were mourning over her! 11
Oh, that you may suck fully of the
milk of her comfort, that you may
nurse with delight at her abundant
breasts! 12 For thus says the
LORD: Lo, I will spread prosperity
over her like a river, and the wealth
of the nations like an overflowing
torrent. As nurslings, you shall be
carried in her arms, and fondled in
her lap; 13 As a mother comforts
her son, so will I comfort you; in
Jerusalem you shall find your
comfort. 14 When you see this,
your heart shall rejoice, and your
bodies flourish like the grass; The
LORD'S power shall be known to
his servants, but to his enemies,
his wrath.
• V.12, “as nurslings” (simile) carried
on arms and fondled on lap, evokes a
feeling of security, joy, freedom, and
playfulness.
• V.13 presents again a mother and
son relationship, an experience of
motherly comfort. God is like a
mother, a woman with maternal
instincts, with affection to a
disturbed / wounded child.
• V.13 reiterates the role of Jerusalem
in the lives of the Jews: a place of
comfort (consolation)
• V.14 is an assurance that God’s
promise will come true (your heart will
rejoice // you bodies will flourish like grass
(simile)).
• The last line in v.14 contrasts what
happens to the Jews (Israelites):
God’s power known to his servants
and to Israel’s enemies God’s wrath.

Reflections on the first readingReflections on the first reading
• We, Christians, should believe in God’s tenderness. God
has a feminine touch, not just masculine.
• Life is not all sufferings, rejection, conflicts, exile and
want.
• We, Christians, must live believing that one day God will
fulfill his promises, as he had done to the Israelites.
• Do you know how to hope?
• Do you know how to look forward to?
• What are your symbols, or your language, which will
manifest your happiness and fulfillment?

Resp.Ps 66:1-3. 4-5. 6-7. 16. 20Resp.Ps 66:1-3. 4-5. 6-7. 16. 20
• R. (1) Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
• 1 Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,
sing praise to the glory of his name;
2 proclaim his glorious praise.
3 Say to God, "How tremendous are your deeds!"
• 4 "Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you,
sing praise to your name!"
5 Come and see the works of God,
his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
• 6 He has changed the sea into dry land;
through the river they passed on foot;
7 therefore let us rejoice in him.
He rules by his might forever.
• 16 Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare
what he has done for me.
20 Blessed be God who refused me not
my prayer or his kindness!

Resp.Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20Resp.Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20
• R. (1) Let all the earth cry out to God
with joy.
• 1 Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,
sing praise to the glory of his name;
2 proclaim his glorious praise.
3 Say to God, "How tremendous are your
deeds!"
• 4 "Let all on earth worship and sing
praise to you,
sing praise to your name!"
5 Come and see the works of God,
his tremendous deeds among the
children of Adam.
• 6 He has changed the sea into dry land;
through the river they passed on foot;
7 therefore let us rejoice in him.
He rules by his might forever.
• 16 Hear now, all you who fear God, while
I declare what he has done for me.
20 Blessed be God who refused me not
my prayer or his kindness!
Commentary
• Vv.1-3 exhort us (all the earth) to
express our joy and praise to
God, who does great things for
us.
• In vv.4-5, the psalmist exhorts
us (all on earth) to worship God in
the liturgy.
• Vv.6-7 recall a great deed of
God in the Exodus event. This is
a big reason to rejoice.
• In vv.16 and 20, the psalmist
speaks to us (all you who fear
God).
• The psalmist says God answers
his prayers. Malakas siya kay Lord.

Reflections on the PsalmReflections on the Psalm
• Christian life is a life of praising, not cursing.
• We should look at the brighter side of things.
• If we cannot express our worship, blessing, and
praise to God with joyful and sincere hearts, we
have a problem.
• We need to overhaul our way of thinking and
value system.

22ndnd
reading: Galatians 6:14-18reading: Galatians 6:14-18
• 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our
Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has
been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For
neither does circumcision mean anything, nor
does uncircumcision, but only a new creation.
16 Peace and mercy be to all who follow this
rule and to the Israel of God. 17 From now on,
let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the
marks of Jesus on my body. 18 The grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,
brothers. Amen.
The focus is on boasting in the cross.

22ndnd
reading: Galatians 6:14-18reading: Galatians 6:14-18
• 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our
Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has
been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For
neither does circumcision mean anything, nor
does uncircumcision, but only a new creation.
16 Peace and mercy be to all who follow this
rule and to the Israel of God. 17 From now on,
let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the
marks of Jesus on my body. 18 The grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,
brothers. Amen.
The boasting of the cross is backed up by the
following underlined ideas.

22ndnd
reading: Galatians 6,14-18reading: Galatians 6,14-18
Boasting in the cross, not in the law
• 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified
to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither does
circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision,
but only a new creation.
Greetings of peace, mercy and grace who follow
• 16 Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule and to
the Israel of God. 17 From now on, let no one make
troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus on my
body.
• 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,
brothers. Amen.
A simple outline!

Textual Context of Gal 6:14-18Textual Context of Gal 6:14-18
Outline of Galatians by NAB
I. Address (1,1-5)
II. Loyalty to the Gospel (1,6-10)
III. Paul’s Defense of His Gospel and His Authority (1,11—2,21)
IV. Faith and Liberty (3,1—4,31)
V. Exhortation to Christian Living (5,1—6,10)
VI. Conclusion (6,11-18)
The Nature of Christian Freedom (5,2-15)
The Works of the Flesh (5,16-21)
The Fruit of the Spirit (5,22-26)
Bear One Another’s Burdens (6,1-10)
Final Admonitions and Benediction (6,11-18)

22ndnd
reading: Galatians 6,14-18reading: Galatians 6,14-18
Boasting in the cross, not in the
law
• 14 May I never boast except in
the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ, through which the world
has been crucified to me, and I
to the world. 15 For neither does
circumcision mean anything, nor
does uncircumcision, but only a
new creation.
Greetings of peace, mercy and
grace who follow
• 16 Peace and mercy be to all
who follow this rule and to the
Israel of God. 17 From now on,
let no one make troubles for me;
for I bear the marks of Jesus on
my body.
• 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with your spirit,
brothers. Amen.
Commentary
• What is worth boasting of?
• The Cross of Jesus (v.14)
• The New creation (v.14)
• What is not worth boasting of?
• The Law of circumcision (v.15)
• V.15 speaks of “uncircumcision” (being a
Gentile, not a Jew). What matters to Paul is
the cross.
• What is the meaning of the cross of Jesus for
Paul?
- It is through which the world is crucified
to him and vice versa.
• V.16 indicates the reward (peace and mercy) to
those who follow suit.
• In v.17, Paul does not want to be bothered
anymore. (Sawa na sa usaping batas ni Moises).
• Paul believes he is himself crucified
(stigmatized).
• In v.18, Paul makes another greeting / similar
to his wish in v.16.

Reflections on the 2Reflections on the 2ndnd
readingreading
• Christians should never be boastful.
• This turns off a lot of people.
• We are not supposed to take pride in just following rules
and regulations, which do not give meaning to our
Christian lives.
• Instead, Christians should boast (be proud) of their
sufferings (inconveniences, inhumanities, injustices), because they
are sharing in Christ’s sufferings and crucifixion.
• To work as Christian missionaries and evangelizers like
St. Paul, we must have this kind of attitude, behavior and
spirituality.

Gospel reading:Gospel reading: Luke 10:1-12.17-20Luke 10:1-12.17-20
• 1 At that time (after his teachings on discipleship as he was
journeying to Jerusalem, read last Sunday), the Lord appointed
seventy (-two) (why 72? 12 tribes x 6) others whom he sent ahead
of him (advance party to prepare people for his coming) in pairs
(why in pairs?, support system) to every town and place he intended
to visit. (He did not visit all.)
• 2 He said to them, "The harvest (many towns and villages to go) is
abundant but the laborers (apostles, disciples) are few; so ask the
master of the harvest (pray to God) to send out laborers for his
harvest. 3 Go on your way (imperative to mission); behold, I am
sending you like lambs among wolves (expect dangers). 4 Carry no
money bag, no sack, no sandals (don’t appear like rich and
landlords, but pilgrims) ; and greet no one along the way (don’t chat
or make tsismis, be focused on your work). 5 Into whatever house
you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' (your greetings must
embrace all, not just the one you like) 6 If a peaceful person lives
there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.
Text with some commentary in yellow. Read again please!

• 7 Stay in the same house (make a homebase) and eat and
drink what is offered to you (accept what is given. Here it
seems that the food also comes from other sources, not
just from the homebase), for the laborer deserves his
payment (Usually, the ones who give are those who
appreciate their efforts). Do not move about from one
house to another (Follows up v.7). 8 Whatever town you
enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you
(eating again! Don’t choose your food. Don’t be choicy or
picky. You’re only a visitor, don’t turn your host off), 9 cure the
sick in it (aha, the disciple brings Jesus’ power to cure)
and say to them, 'The kingdom of God is at hand for you.‘
(God’s kingdom belongs to those who accept their
teachings. Curing and healing are signs of the coming of God’s
kingdom.)
• 10 Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you,
go out into the streets and say, 11 'The dust of your town
that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.'
(as a sign of protest and coming judgment) Yet know this:
the kingdom of God is at hand. 12 I tell you, it will be more
tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town. (Woe to
them!)

• 17 The seventy (-two) returned rejoicing (yehe, very
successful missionaries), and said, "Lord, even the
demons are subject to us because of your name." (it was
not mentioned in the instruction. Luke withheld this
information, style of deferment!) 18 Jesus said, "I have
observed Satan (like demons) fall like lightning (simile)
from the sky. 19 Behold, I have given you the power 'to
tread upon serpents' and scorpions and upon the full
force of the enemy and nothing will harm you (not
mentioned also before, they are invincible). 20
Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are
subject to you, but rejoice because your names are
written in heaven.“ (better reason for rejoicing)

Reflections on the gospel readingReflections on the gospel reading
• All Christians are missionaries.
• They are not just disciples, learners and followers.
• They must also learn how to teach and proclaim God’s
kingdom, like the apostles.
• Shame on Christians who do not want to engage, who
do not have a sense of mission and responsibility, who
want to remain as listeners only.
• Shame on Christians who brandize their latest gadgets
(their riches, their material successes) to the poor, instead of
concentrating on the Word of God.
• This kind of Christians will never experience the joy of
the apostles.

Tying the 3 readings and the PsalmTying the 3 readings and the Psalm
• The first reading talks about rejoicing because they are
going back to Jerusalem.
• The psalm encourages rejoicing because of God’s great
deeds.
• The second reading talks about Paul’s success in
witnessing to Jesus. He is now happily crucified in
Christ, does not want to be bothered anymore.
• The gospel reading talks about the missionary work of
the 72 disciples, their joy because of their successes.

How to develop your sharing / homilyHow to develop your sharing / homily
• Begin by relating your successes. How do you
feel about them? (Happy!)
• Some people are happy when they are able to
accomplish something great for the first time.
• What happens to those who are not able to
accomplish anything?
– They feel their lives have no meaning. They are not
happy. They have low esteem. They sulk. They
develop inferiority complex. They become trouble-
makers.
• When you feel like this, listen to what the Lord is
telling you.

• In the first reading, God exhorts us to rejoice because he
is going to take care of us. He will accomplish a lot of
things for us.
• He will bring us back to our homes (to become true to ourselves).
• He will make our dreams come true. He will lavish us
with his endless gifts and graces. We have to respond in faith
and celebrate our hope.
• God has declared the good things that will happen to us
and he is determined to do them to us, just as he had
done to the Israelites in the olden times.

• The second reading tells us that our joy should be based
on our own crucifixion. With Christ we are crucified to the
world and the world to us.
• What else should bother us? What more is there to suffer
from? Paul assures of peace, mercy and grace (joy) if we
accept this rule.
• There is no happiness in keeping the law of the Jews.
• Paul is resigned that happiness comes only through the
experience of crucifixion with Christ.
• He rightly claims he bears the marks of Christ. Along with
his successes as a missionary, he has undergone a lot of
sufferings. (Maraming siyang tama.)

• In the gospel, the 72 disciples are very happy to report their
successes.
• They have been commissioned and empowered to share in
the mission of Christ.
– They have succeeded in healing the sick, casting out demons,
proclaiming the kingdom of God. Wow!
– Poisonous snakes and scorpions do not do them harm. Wow!
• The disciples have been successful precisely because they
have followed his instructions.
• As the disciples rejoice, Jesus brings them to a higher level.
• He tells them, “Rejoice not because those things are subject
to you, but because your names are written in heaven.”
• The disciples should rejoice because Jesus will give them
fullness of life.

• The church workers, ministers, servant leaders, priests
and nuns should not complain when they encounter
sufferings.
• They have authority from God to serve. They are
commissioned by legitimate church authorities.
• They must be able to accept and face those who differ
from their opinions or resist their prodding.
• The disciples must also be secure in their faith, that their
joy in serving the Lord is not in their successes, but in their
crucifixion.
• They should believe that only after having sweat a lot and
suffered terribly that the Lord assures them of heaven.
• Stay out of the church if you don’t want to suffer and be
crucified!

• In the eucharist, we celebrate with joy our small
successes and accomplishments (as engaged missionaries).
• Here in the eucharist, Jesus assures us of greater
happiness if we constantly do our mission and receive
his body and blood.
• The eucharist is also our food that will keep us always
close to Jesus in our mission work.

Our Context of Sin and GraceOur Context of Sin and Grace
• Unable to rejoice,
negativistic, pessimistic,
hopeless, resigned to
doom
• Unable to hope for a
better future
• Christians who do not like
to talk about Christ, no
mission, just sitting down
• Formation without
mission (what a waste of time
and money!)
• Strong sense of mission
• Can preach, can heal,
can forgive
• Ability to risk for the
kingdom
• Ability to embrace
sufferings and rejection
• Lay Empowerment
• Happy to share in the
mission of Christ

Suggested SongsSuggested Songs
• God Tell Everyone
• Come Build My Church
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZugkzkgjDk
• It’s Time To Prepare
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIandBaBMck
• Ikaw Ngayon Bukas
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLXGRycu6ko

• Dear sisters and brothers,
• There is joy in engaging in Christ's
mission.
• Fr. Cielo

14th Sunday C

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