Welcome to our SAAP Sunday Bible Study

1. Welcome to our SAAP Sunday Bible Study 12th Sunday in the Ordinary Time C June 23, 2013 In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1st Reading: Zechariah 12,10-11; 13,1 • 10 Thus says the Lord: I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and petition; and they shall look on him whom they have thrust through, and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for an only son, and they shall grieve over him as one grieves over a first-born. 11 On that day the mourning in Jerusalem shall be as great as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo. • 13:1 On that day there shall be open to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness. The focus is on the messiah.

3. 10 Thus says the Lord: I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and petition; and they shall look on him whom they have thrust through, and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for an only son, and they shall grieve over him as one grieves over a first-born. 11 On that day the mourning in Jerusalem shall be as great as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo. 13:1 On that day there shall be open to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness. Commentary In v.10, God promises through the prophet “a spirit of grace and petition” to the Davidic dynasty and Jerusalemites. V.10 also predicts what would happen to the “messiah.” It makes us remember Jesus when the centurion thrusts his sword upon his side. As a result of his death, there will be a lot of grieving and mourning. (vv.10-11) V.13:1 reiterates the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem mentioned in v.10. We presuppose that the death of the messiah will bring about purification from sin and impurities. 1st Reading: Zechariah 12,10-11; 13,1

4. Textual Context of Zech 12,10-11; 13,1 First Zechariah 1-8 Second Zechariah 9-14 Part I 9-11 First Oracle which cannot be dated contains messianic vision of the coming of the prince of Peace Part II 12-14 Second Oracle: restoration proclaims victory God's people over the pagans. Zechariah 9-14 (Boadt, 442) 9,1-8 God as a divine warrior 9,9-10 The king as prince of peace 9,11-17 The victorious exiles 10,1-12 God gathers his exiles 11,1-3 The fall of pagan tyrants 11,4-17 The bad and good shepherds 12,1-9 The victory of Judah 12,10-14 Jerusalem mourns 13,1-6 God cleanses her sins 14,1-21 The day of the Lord

5. Zechariah

6. Reflections on the 1st reading • The messiah comes from a royal family, not from an ordinary family. • He is sent by God to save us, at a great price. • God does not send just anybody, but his only Son. • God is generous with his love. • His son is the same. He is willing to undergo pain and death. • We must realize how God treasures us, sinners.

7. Resp. Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 R.     (2b) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. 2 O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts Like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. 3 Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, 4 For your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you. 5 Thus will I bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name. 6 As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. 8 You are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. 9 My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me.

8. R.     (2b) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. 2 O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. 3 Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, 4 For your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you. 5 Thus will I bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name. 6 As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. 8You are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. 9 My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me. Commentary The psalm beautifully expresses our desire for God. V.2 uses similes to describe how the psalmist longs for God. In v.3, the psalmist finds God in the Temple. V.4 recognizes the supremacy of God’s kindness over life. In v.5, the psalmist promises to bless and pray to God. V.6 speaks of satisfaction of the psalmist. The psalmist assures of his praise and thanksgiving. V.8 affirms God’s protection. In v.9, the psalmist expresses his deep faith in God and God’s protection to him. Resp. Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

9. Reflections on the Psalm • We should be able to appropriate the psalm to ourselves. • We should become psalmists ourselves, not just readers of the psalm. • We best express ourselves when we adopt the way of the psalmist. • In this form of prayer, we should feel God’s presence better.

10. 2nd Reading: Galatians 3,26-29 • 26 Through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendant, heirs according to the promise. The focus is on Christ.

11. Textual Context of Galatians 3,26-29 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)

13. 26 Through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendant, heirs according to the promise. Commentary In v.26, Paul affirms that we are God’s children. We become God’s children through faith in Christ = Messiah (v.26) and through baptism (v.27). In God’s family, there are no distinctions. We are made one in Christ. V.28 In v.29, Paul also affirms our common ancestry (Abraham) and we are entitled to God’s promise as heirs, through Jesus Christ. 2nd Reading: Galatians 3,26-29

14. Reflections on the 2nd reading • As Christians, we have to realize and appreciate that Christ has done many great things for us. • He made us children of God. • He made us united as one, though of different cultures, genders and races. (No more distinctions which are sources of divisions). • He made us heirs in the kingdom. • What more can we ask?

15. Gospel Reading: Luke 9,18-24 Identifying Jesus correctly • 18 Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?“ 19 They said in reply, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, 'One of the ancient prophets has arisen.'“ 20 Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said in reply, "The Messiah of God.“ 21 He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. The Suffering Christ and discipleship • 22 He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” 23 Then he said to all, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. The focus is on the Messiah.

16. Textual Context of Luke 9,18-24 Outline from the NAB • Mission of the Twelve (9,1-6) • Herod’s Opinion of Jesus (9,7-9) • The Return of the Twelve and the Feeding of the 5000 (9,10-17) • Peter’s Confession about Jesus (9,18-21) • The First Prediction of the Passion (9,22) • The Conditions of Discipleship (9,23-27) • The Transfiguration of Jesus (9,28-36)

18. Identifying Jesus correctly 18 Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?“ 19 They said in reply, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, 'One of the ancient prophets has arisen.'“ 20 Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said in reply, "The Messiah of God.“ 21 He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. The Suffering Christ and discipleship 22 He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” 23 Then he said to all, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. Commentary V.18 presents Jesus as praying, in the presence of his disciples. In the context of prayer, Jesus asks his disciples how people size him up. V.19 enumerates the wrong answers of the people. They do not appreciate who Jesus is. In v.20, Jesus asks the same question to his apostles. Peter, the spokesman of the apostles, answers correctly. Surprisingly in v.21, Jesus rebukes (as if he scolds them) and wants them to keep his identity secret. Then, in v.22, Jesus clarifies what kind of Messiah he is. A suffering, rejected, and “killed” Messiah. In v.23, Jesus challenges his apostles if they want to follow him, they too must suffer. In v.24, Jesus does not buy the idea of self-preservation when following him. Gospel Reading: Luke 9,18-24

19. Reflections on the gospel reading • We Christians must know who Jesus is. • We must not mistake his identity. • He is the Christ (Greek, christos), Messiah (Hebrew, masiha). • But we should not misinterpret what kind of Messiah he is. • Misinterpretation has devastating effect on our discipleship and mission. • In this Year of Faith, are you being clarified who Jesus is by your pastor or your Church?

20. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm • The first reading talks about the Messiah. • The psalm talks about longing for God (for the Messiah). • The second reading talks about Christ. • The gospel reading talks about Messiah. On this Sunday, we focus on the Messiah.

21. How to develop your homily / sharing • To begin with, ask the audience what they know about Jesus. • They may give these answers: • He is our Savior. He is our Lord. He is God. He is the good Shepherd, Christ… etc. • Now ask if they really know the meaning of Christ. Is it Jesus’ surname? • In those days, it was OK to call a man “Jesus.” • But whether he is the “Christ” or not, that was something else. • If you claim to be Christ (anointed), you have a problem.

22. In the first reading, Zechariah (333 BC) has long predicted the coming of the Messiah. • The prophet Zechariah rightly identifies the Messiah as the only Son, whose violent death has caused so much sorrow, but has brought us forgiveness and new life. • Jesus has properly submitted himself to the inhumanities committed against him, according to the plan of God as revealed by the prophet.

23. Likewise, you have a problem also if you don’t know who Christ is. • You can’t be his true disciple. • Don’t imagine you know him, if you have never encountered him in the sacraments and in the Church. • What you may know about him is not the real Christ. • It is the Christ of your (or other’s) imagination.

24. In the gospel reading, the people did not identify Jesus as the Messiah; but Peter and the other apostles did. Why? • Knowledge of Jesus is not a one-shot deal. • One encounter with him is not enough. • The apostles had the privilege of encountering him always, as they were following him, beginning from his baptism up to this moment. • So they know him, at the very least, 50% of him.

25. What about the other 50%, which tells them what kind of Messiah he is? • They will come to know when they follow him, up to the Calvary, when they see him die on the cross. • And they will complete their knowledge of him, when they too will die like him.

26. We Christians come to know Jesus more when we continue encountering him in the sacraments, reading the Bible and listening to those who are trained to interpret biblical texts. • We must also journey with Christ. • Our knowledge of him as the Messiah will never be complete, if we refuse to carry our crosses and be crucified at the end.

27. The second reading enumerates what Christ has done for us. • Christ can do much for us because of his passion, death and resurrection. • He has won life for us the hard way through his blood. • We, too, will really enjoy the inheritance set aside for us, if we keep the faith in Christ.

28. In our churches, let us speed up catechetical work and ongoing formation. • Many of us are still ignorant about Christ. • We do many things without knowing why. • We, Christians, should know the meaning of what we are doing, especially in the liturgy, in which we encounter Christ best.

29. In the Eucharist, we come to know more about Jesus. • In the Eucharist, we participate in the journey of Jesus (passion, death and resurrection). • In the Eucharist, Christ promises us eternal life.

30. Lazy to study faith No bible reading No going to Mass Lazy to attend liturgy No participation in study groups No catechism No theology Well catechized Lectio divina Attentive at Mass Diligent in studying Buys commentaries Able to sacrifice and be insulted Willing to be crucified Our Context of Sin and Grace The End

31. Suggested Songs • One Bread One Body • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIl8CHLR4CQ • Sino ba ang Diyos? • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8glIv39uKA