St. Mary's Catholic Church of Tomahawk, WI

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We are on the third Sunday of the ordinary season. The first reading tells us about Ezra the priest reading from Torah and interpreting the word to the great assembly of the people of Israel who were saved and returned after the exile in Babylon. They were told not to be sad, but to keep the holyday of the Lord by celebrating and rejoicing which will be their strength. It is for us to reflect on how we keep and consider the holyday of the Lord.

The second reading tells us about the importance of existence, understanding, and practice of unity in our community. St. Paul brings in the community in Corinth, and explains and encourages them highlighting their role, responsibilities and rendering of the services of every individual to the community using the gifts and talents for the good, growth and unity of the community. As we all are the members of the mystical body of Christ, how do we consider our role and responsibility in our Christian community? How do we foster unity in them? What attention is given to the less, least or smallest?

The gospel passage begins with the opening words of the gospel according to St. Luke and also tells us about the mission statement of the Lord. Jesus inaugurates His mission, having been anointed by the Holy Spirit, and is sent to fulfill the establishment of the Kingdom of God. He came to proclaim the year of the Lord and liberty of the captives. He accomplishes His task not in the way of the rulers of the world, but as a suffering servant of God. How do we look at the mission statement of our parish? What is our contribution in bringing the Kingdom of God into the lives of those in need? Can we begin today to think and act in this line?

Fr. Aloysius Royan Anthony