9th Sunday A

Welcome to our Bible Study 9 th Sunday in the Ordinary Time A March 6, 2011 In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1 st reading: Deut 11,18.26-28.32 18 Moses told the people, "Take these words of mine into your heart and soul. Bind them at your wrist as a sign, and let them be a pendant on your forehead. 26 "I set before you here, this day, a blessing and a curse: 27 a blessing for obeying the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I enjoin on you today; 28 a curse if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD, your God, but turn aside from the way I ordain for you today, to follow other gods, whom you have not known. 32 Be careful to observe all the statutes and decrees that I set before you today.

1 st reading: Deut 11,18.26-28.32 18 Moses told the people, "Take these words of mine into your heart and soul. Bind them at your wrist as a sign, and let them be a pendant on your forehead. 26 "I set before you here, this day, a blessing and a curse: 27 a blessing for obeying the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I enjoin on you today; 28 a curse if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD, your God, but turn aside from the way I ordain for you today, to follow other gods, whom you have not known. 32 Be careful to observe all the statutes and decrees that I set before you today. The focus is on obeying God’s commands.

1 st reading: Deut 11,18.26-28.32 Words of God 18 Moses told the people, "Take these words of mine into your heart and soul. Bind them at your wrist as a sign, and let them be a pendant on your forehead. Blessing and Curse 26 "I set before you here, this day, a blessing and a curse: 27 a blessing for obeying the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I enjoin on you today; 28 a curse if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD, your God, but turn aside from the way I ordain for you today, to follow other gods, whom you have not known. Obedience 32 Be careful to observe all the statutes and decrees that I set before you today. A simple outline!

1 st reading: Deut 11,18.26-28.32 Words of God 18 Moses told the people, "Take these words of mine into your heart and soul . Bind them at your wrist as a sign, and let them be a pendant on your forehead. Blessing and Curse 26 "I set before you here, this day, a blessing and a curse: 27 a blessing for obeying the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I enjoin on you today; 28 a curse if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD, your God, but turn aside from the way I ordain for you today, to follow other gods, whom you have not known. Obedience 32 Be careful to observe all the statutes and decrees that I set before you today. Commentary The reading is emphatic on taking the Word of God seriously. V.18 says in the imperative mood, “Take these words into your heart and soul…” This means his words must permeate deep into the heart and soul of the Israelites. “ Bind them…” The words must also be found visible in their bodies. The male Jews wear this tefilin strapped on their forehead and arms. Vv.26-28 talk about the consequences when God’s words are obeyed or disobeyed: When they are obeyed, they are a blessing. When they are not obeyed, they become a curse. Disobedience is worshipping idols and other gods. It is turning away from the true God, the God of their history. V.32 reiterates observance, obedience.

Reflections on the 1 st reading God exacts obedience from us. We must do the will of God (his statutes, ordinances, decrees and commandments). God promises blessings to those who obey him; curse to those who disobey him. Do you know how to obey? But how do we know his will? Study. Study your Bible, your faith and the Church’s teachings. If you never study seriously, you will never get to practice your faith right. You, who have access to media, do not have an excuse for your ignorance.

Resp. Ps 31:2-3, 3-4, 17, 25 R. (3b) Lord, be my rock of safety. 2 In you, O LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. 3 In your justice rescue me, incline your ear to me, make haste to deliver me! 3 Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety. 4 You are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me. 17 Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your kindness. 25 Take courage and be stouthearted, all you who hope in the LORD.

Resp. Ps 31:2-3, 3-4, 17, 25 R. (3b) Lord, be my rock of safety. 2 In you, O LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. 3 In your justice rescue me, incline your ear to me, make haste to deliver me! 3 Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety. 4 You are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me. 17 Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your kindness. 25 Take courage and be stouthearted, all you who hope in the LORD. Commentary The psalmist prays to God. In v.2, the psalmist recognizes God as a refuge. God will not allow him to be shamed by other people; he believes he will not be denied by God. In v.3a, the psalmist invokes God’s justice that he may be rescued (from harm and destruction). In vv.3b-4, the psalmist believes that God is a strong refuge and fortress. His enemies cannot do anything if he is staying with God. V.4 affirms the psalmist’s belief in God’s protection and good guidance. In v.17, the psalmist expresses the same in different words (let your face shine). He prays for deliverance (salvation, safety). In v.25, the psalmist exhorts all who hope in the Lord to take courage.

Reflections on the Psalm Like the psalmist, we may have feelings of being threatened. Our lives are threatened because we have stepped on the interest of others, or, others simply want to eliminate us, because we are threats to them. We are threats for the insecure. Like the psalmist, we have to pray hard for protection and safety. No security detail or army can consistently protect us, only God. Who makes you secure in your life, in your work?

2 nd reading: Romans 3,21-25.28 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; 23 all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. 24 They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as an expiation, through faith, by his blood. 28 For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

2 nd reading: Romans 3,21-25.28 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; 23 all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. 24 They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as an expiation, through faith, by his blood. 28 For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law. The focus is on the righteousness of God.

2 nd reading: Romans 3,21-25.28 God’s righteousness 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. Justification of sinners For there is no distinction; 23 all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. 24 They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as an expiation, through faith, by his blood, to prove his righteousness because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed. 28 For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law. A simple outline!

2 nd reading: Romans 3,21-25.28 God’s righteousness 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. Justification of sinners For there is no distinction; 23 all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. 24 They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as an expiation, through faith, by his blood, to prove his righteousness because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed. 28 For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Commentary The reading is focused on the righteousness of God. God manifests his righteousness by justifying sinners through his Son. V.21 says that God’s righteousness is manifested in his Son, not in the law (Mosaic law, which the Jews hold sacred). V.22 inserts an important element in Paul’s arguments: faith in Jesus. A scholar (Dahood) argues that the text should be read “faith of Jesus” because in Greek, Jesus is in genitive case. It is theologically correct. Jesus as a human being had faith in God. Translators put “faith in Jesus” as if faith is the monopoly of sinful human beings. Faith of Jesus in God justifies sinners, who believe in him.

2 nd reading: Romans 3,21-25.28 God’s righteousness 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. Justification of sinners For there is no distinction; 23 all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. 24 They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as an expiation, through faith, by his blood, to prove his righteousness because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed. 28 For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law. V.23 states a fact that all have sinned, and are deprived of God’s glory. In v.24, God reverses the state of sin. Out of his own freedom and grace, God justifies sinners, through the efforts of Jesus. V.25 tells us who Jesus is: Sent by God He is an expiation of sins, through faith (whose faith?) Our salvation has been paid with a great price, “by his blood.” Expiation / justification proves God’s righteousness. In v.28, Paul picks up again his argument on salvation through faith in Jesus, not through the law. Paul’s teaching here presents a radical departure from the teachings of Judaism.

Reflections on the 2 nd reading Paul, the author, as a teacher (who practiced Judaism, and now a Christian convert and practitioner) is emphatic on the source of our salvation. It is faith in Jesus Christ, not in the Law. Judaism teaches the oral and written Torah. The written Torah is the Pentateuch. The oral Torah is the interpretations of the rabbis. Paul says that is not the case with the coming of Jesus. Salvation / justification / forgiveness / heaven is given to us through the merit of Jesus Christ. Do you believe that Jesus can make you, a sinner, right? How do you show this belief? How do you live your faith in Christ?

Gospel reading: Matthew 7,21-27 21 Jesus said to his disciples, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?' 23 Then I will declare to them solemnly, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.' 24 "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. 26 And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined."

Gospel reading: Matthew 7,21-27 21 Jesus said to his disciples, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?' 23 Then I will declare to them solemnly, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.' 24 "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. 26 And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined." The focus is on doing the will of God.

Gospel reading: Matthew 7,21-27 Who is entitled to enter the kingdom of heaven? 21 Jesus said to his disciples, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Claiming they are doing 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?' 23 Then I will declare to them solemnly, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.' 2 parables of listening and doing / of listening and not doing 24 "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. 26 And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined." A simple outline!

Gospel reading: Matthew 7,21-27 Who is entitled to enter the kingdom of heaven? 21 Jesus said to his disciples, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Claiming they are doing 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?' 23 Then I will declare to them solemnly, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.' Commentary V.21 clarifies who will enter the kingdom of heaven (of God): Only those who do the will of God, who is in heaven It does not mean that if you always pray, “Lord, Lord”, you automatically enter the kingdom of heaven. V.22 talks of people who will claim to have done the will of God: That they prophesied in Jesus’ name That they drove out demons in Jesus’ name That they did mighty deeds in Jesus’ name V.23 indicates that those who claim they are close to God by praying “Lord, Lord” are actually evildoers.

Gospel reading: Matthew 7,21-27 2 parables of listening and doing / of listening and not doing 24 "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. 26 And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined." Vv.24-25 indicate what God wants from the Christians. The Christians should be listeners and doers of his Word. They are likened to a wise man, who builds a house on a solid rock, which can withstand catastrophies and disasters. Vv.26-27 express God’s disdain to those who only listen but do not act on them. Jesus compares them with a fool / stupid guy who builds his house on a sand that cannot withstand storms.

Reflections on the gospel reading Jesus emphasizes the importance of doing the will of God. We should not stop at listening only during prayer meetings and formation classes. When we do the will of God, we are not easily carried away by crises and problems. We are easily knocked down, if we lack the doing. If our commitment to God’s will does not match our attendance in meetings, inputs and formations, we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. We have a deeper problem nowadays. Christians don’t exert effort to know/discern the will of God. They shun away from studies and formation programs. They don’t listen to those who can help them in their faith (priests, bishops, pope, catechism, spiritual reading). Do you have time to attend recollections, retreats and talks about our faith and Church’s concerns of today?

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm The first reading talks about obeying the Word of God . The psalm affirms God’s protection (on those who trust in God, who keep God’s Word). The second reading talks about the source of our justification / salvation: believing in Jesus Christ . The gospel reading talks about the importance of doing the will of God ( teachings of Jesus Christ). The underlined words give us a clue what to develop in our homilies or sharings: doing God’s will.

How to develop your homily / sharing We must focus our attention on doing the will of God. What do you think is the will of God? Is it clear to you? At this moment, what does God want you to do? – In your workplace ( there may be cases of corruption. You may have not done your homework well.) In your family (you might be in conflict with a loved one) In your married state of life (you might have been unfaithful) As member of an organization as a church worker (you may not have good (you might not have contributed anything to its mission) relations with your co-workers and the priest; As a friend ( you are always at the receiving end like a parasite).

In the gospel , Jesus is emphatic on teaching his disciples that it is not enough to be praying and praising God or attending catechism and formation classes. We, Christians, must be committed to what we hear from the Lord. We should practice what we hear, apply them in our everyday life. When we do the will of God, we become strong in times of crisis. Those who don’t are easily shaken, frustrated and disoriented when crisis comes.

God expects much from us who have given time to listen, and to pray, “Lord, Lord…” Remaining on the listening and praying level does not qualify us to enter God’s kingdom.

The first reading says a similar thing. We, God’s people, must learn to obey his words. We must internalize and be mindful of them. When we obey, the commandments become a blessing to us. When we disobey, the commandments become a curse to us. Disobedience here is leaving the true God in favor of another strange and unknown god.

The second reading focuses on the righteousness of God, but it is also emphatic on believing in Jesus (which includes the doing). We attain salvation by doing the right thing (believing in Jesus), not by following the law of the Jews or following ourselves and our own laws. We should obey Christ. We should be docile to his teachings.

In our churches, we must develop among our faithful not only the sense of prayer, but also the missionary dimension of our life. Our churches must produce not only pious Christians (reverent to all that is sacred), but also committed Christians, engaged Christians, in the secular world. Our churches are producing more pious Christians, who are actually impious, than those engaged. Engaged Christians are those who are involved in the social transformation in the light of their faith. They see the relation of their faith to social and global realities.

In the eucharist , we prayerfully assent to do God’s will. In the eucharist , we report to God: “Lord, here we are, we have done your will.” The eucharist strengthens us to be committed to God’s Word, to live prophetic lives.

Our Context of Sin and Grace Violators of God’s laws Faithlessness Vacillation of faith (always doubting) Parasitism Pietism Ignorance of God’s law (lazy to study) Allergic to formation No confidence to understand speakers No drive to know the unfamiliar Obedient Ability to follow rules Prophetic Relevant Thinking global Networking Challenges Always willing to learn something new The End

Suggested Songs Ang Mabuhay sa Pag-ibig For back issues of the Bible Study https:// sites.google.com/site/olasianofm /

9th Sunday A

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9th Sunday A