By using the first four verses of chapter 1 as a prologue, the Mass reading emphasizes that this event constitutes the real beginning of the Gospel (= the proclamation of the good news of God’s saving love) of Jesus Christ. The intervening chapters may be considered "pre-history" — background and foundation for the actual mission of Jesus. Chapters 1-3 are read for the most part during Advent and Christmas seasons; 4:1-13, the dramatic account of the temptation in the desert, appears on the First Sunday of Lent. As recorded in today’s reading, Jesus gave what must be the shortest yet most intensely meaningful homily in history. It conveys the essence of the good news: "Today it is accomplished." This is a good example of what a homily should be (in more ways than brevity), as well as a model to every Christian for proclaiming the Gospel in his or her own life. The homily (and the day by day proclamation of God’s word in life) is not a doctrinal lesson, nor a moralistic exhortation, not a mere commentary on the Scripture, nor even a repetition of God’s promises. It is rather the firm and true declaration of God’s saving action here and now. It involves a glance at the past, but does not dwell on it. It is full of hope in the future, but requires more than just patient waiting for "pie in the sky by-and-by." The Sunday homily — as well as the witness of the Christian life — must aim at being nothing other than an eloquent testimony that God is at work here and now.

The synagogue liturgy was based on two readings. The first was from the Law (= Torah or Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures) and would be commented upon by a rabbi or teacher of the law. This commentary often had the character of the sort of meticulous interpretation that Jesus frequently criticized (see Mk 7; Lk 11:45-52; Mt 7:28-29) or was a dispute about fine points of the law. The second reading, taken from the prophets, could be read and interpreted by anyone over thirty years of age. We don’t often think of Jesus as an ordinary Jewish layman, but it was in this capacity that he read and preached on this reading from Isaiah.

This promulgation of the law after the restoration of Israel is cast in the form of a well-planned celebration in which the proclamation prompts the people to assimilate the law and respond to it. Read this section in its proper context by following this sequence: Ezra 7-8; Neh 8; Ezra 9-10; Neh 9-13 (portions of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah got dislocated and mixed together in history). This feast of the renewal of the covenant (feast of tabernacles or booths) became the most popular feast of Jewish religious life down to the time of Jesus.

The law was proclaimed not merely for the people to hear and follow, but to be inscribed on their hearts (see Dt 5-6; 6:6 — note that Deuteronomy was written not more than two centuries before this event, and was probably the basic text proclaimed at this time). The word of the law was seen as constitutive of the people — having the power to give them their identity, to make them what they are. God’s word proclaimed today in the Mass has the same function. We do not merely listen to it for instruction. In hearing it and taking it to heart, God’s word forms us as his own people, as well as informs us with his truth.

This psalm makes explicit the relationship between God as Creator and God as Lord and Lawgiver. His redeeming law is seen as the fulfillment of what he began in creation. Response: "Your words, Lord, are spirit and life."

If the Church is to be alive with Christ’s life, it is necessary that we not be isolated individuals, each doing our own thing — even if that’s a "holy" thing. On the other hand, to consider the Church as a massive homogeneous conglomeration of indistinguishable individuals who should think, act, and feel exactly the same is equally erroneous. The essence of the Church, rather, is a community life striving for harmony in one Spirit among those — individuals as well as groups — who possess differing gifts and capabilities, each supporting and being enriched by one another. A healthy body needs a unifying spirit as well as many diverse members working together.

1. How can you in your own life be a proclamation of the Gospel, the good news? What is this "good news" to be proclaimed? What does it mean to proclaim?

2. Are you comfortable with those who are different from you? Think of examples; discuss why or why not.