1. Welcome to our Bible Study
5th Sunday of Lent C
March 17, 2013
In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy
In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1st Reading: Isaiah 43,16-21
16 Thus says the LORD, who opens a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters, 17 who leads out chariots and horsemen, a powerful army, till they lie prostrate together, never to rise, snuffed out and quenched like a wick. 18 Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; 19 See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the desert I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers. 20 Wild beasts honor me, jackals and ostriches, For I put water in the desert and rivers in the wasteland for my chosen people to drink, 21 The people whom I formed for myself, that they might announce my praise.

3. The focus is on something new!
1st Reading: Isaiah 43,16-21
16 Thus says the LORD, who opens a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters, 17 who leads out chariots and horsemen, a powerful army, till they lie prostrate together, never to rise, snuffed out and quenched like a wick. 18 Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; 19 See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the desert I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers. 20 Wild beasts honor me, jackals and ostriches, For I put water in the desert and rivers in the wasteland for my chosen people to drink, 21 The people whom I formed for myself, that they might announce my praise.
The focus is on something new!

4. The Old The New 1st Reading: Isaiah 43,16-21
16 Thus says the LORD, who opens a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters, 17 who leads out chariots and horsemen, a powerful army, till they lie prostrate together, never to rise, snuffed out and quenched like a wick. 18 Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; 19 See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the desert I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers. 20 Wild beasts honor me, jackals and ostriches, For I put water in the desert and rivers in the wasteland for my chosen people to drink, 21 The people whom I formed for myself, that they might announce my praise.
The Old
The New
a way opened in the sea and a path in the mighty waters, v.16
chariots and horsemen, a powerful army lie prostrate together, never to rise, snuffed out and quenched like a wick. V.17
V.18 Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not;
19 a way in the desert, in the wasteland, rivers.
20 Wild beasts honor me, jackals and ostriches,
For I put water in the desert and rivers in the wasteland for my chosen people to drink,
21 The people whom I formed for myself, that they might announce my praise.

5. Textual Context of Is 43,16-21 First Isaiah - 1-39
Second Isaiah
Third Isaiah

6. Isaiah 43,16-21

7. Commentary 1st Reading: Isaiah 43,16-21
Vv talk about the great deeds of the Lord from of old (the exodus event).
The divided sea was a safe passage for the Israelites, but unsafe for the Egyptians (Pharaoh’s chariots, horsemen, army, all lie dead)
16 Thus says the LORD, who opens a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters, 17 who leads out chariots and horsemen, a powerful army, till they lie prostrate together, never to rise, snuffed out and quenched like a wick. 18 Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; 19 See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the desert I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers. 20 Wild beasts honor me, jackals and ostriches, For I put water in the desert and rivers in the wasteland for my chosen people to drink, 21 The people whom I formed for myself, that they might announce my praise.
In parallel form, v.18 exhorts the Israelites not to get stuck with the past and the old.
The text is addressed to the Israelites in exile in Babylon, soon to return to the Promised Land.
They are asked to look forward to something new. With God, there is always something new.
What is something new?
Way, path in the desert (easy to find one’s way)
Rivers in the wastelands (desert), Water in the desert (that’s why wild beasts, jackals, ostriches will honor me). // Water in the desert, rivers in the wasteland (that the Israelites might announce praise!) (Note the parallelism.)

8. Commentary, con’t
This text from second-Isaiah (40-55) addresses the Israelites who have lived long in exile.
Apparently, the Exiles, due to their prolonged stay there, religious and cultural deprivations, sufferings, etc., are imagining all kinds of things; they “busy” themselves remembering the wonderful deeds of God during the Exodus’ time.
In this context, God announces his new plan for Israel.
He is bringing them back to the Promised Land.
The Israelites must look forward to their return there.
God is preparing the way and the provisions (water, river).
It will be another exodus. It will be another experience of liberation and God’s loving care for his people.

9. Reflections on the 1st reading
When we are in the middle of a crisis (bankruptcy, sickness, rejection, etc.), when we can’t face the present, we look back to the good ol’ days (when we were blessed with material things, health, many friends, etc.).
There is nothing wrong with remembering and reliving the past. In fact, it is healthy.
However, the text has an important message for us: to look forward to something new, to hope.
Hope allows us to widen our horizons, broaden our visions, extends our time span, etc.
To keep faith alive in the midst of turmoil, the future also plays an important role.
Keep your sanity by stretching your mind (it must live in the past, present and future). Pray!

10. Resp. Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
(3)  The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
1 When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. 2a Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing.
2b Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” 3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad indeed.
4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the torrents in the southern desert. 5 Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
6 Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, They shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves.

11. Resp. Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 Commentary
(3)  The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
1 When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. 2a Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing.
2b Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad indeed.
4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the torrents in the southern desert. 5 Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
6 Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, They shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves.
Commentary
The psalm was composed after the Exile.
The psalm articulates the feelings of the Israelites who had just come from Exile in Babylon.
It picks up the feelings of the first reading.
In v.1, the psalmist attributes the freedom of the captives to the Lord.
It is like a dream. (unbelievable, unexpected)
In v.2a, they spontaneously burst into laughter and rejoicing (in parallel form).
In vv.2b-3, they acknowledge the great deeds of God (bringing back the Exiles to Jerusalem).
V.4 is a prayer of restoration.
V.5 is a saying on sowing and reaping.
V.6 explains the meaning of v.5.
It recalls the Exile when the Judeans were forcibly brought to Babylon. They were crying.
Now they are rejoicing carrying the sheaves as they return.

12. Reflections on the Psalm
We may be “exiled” (driven away, rejected, forcibly evicted) from our comfort zones, for one reason or another.
The psalm makes us hope that one day we will be restored.
God can also make miracles for us as what he had done in the past.
If truly we have sown the seeds in tears, we too will reap with joy.

13. 2nd reading: Philippians 3,8-14
8 I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having any righteousness of my own based on the law but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God, depending on faith 10 to know him and the power of his resurrection and (the) sharing of his sufferings by being conformed to his death, 11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ (Jesus). 13 Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God's upward calling, in Christ Jesus.
The focus is on possessing/being possessed by Christ.

14. Textual Context of Phil 3,8-14
Outline by Peter Ellis
A (1:1-3:1): Spreading the gospel and growth in Christ
B (3:2-16): Apparent digression: Growth in Christ depends on
faith in Christ and not on observance of the law
A' (3:17-4:23): Spreading the gospel and growth in Christ

15. 2nd reading: Philippians 3,8-14
Commentary
8 I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having any righteousness of my own based on the law but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God, depending on faith 10 to know him and the power of his resurrection and (the) sharing of his sufferings by being conformed to his death, 11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Background: Paul is sharing his newfound treasure. Before his conversion, he was persecuting the Christians. He
thought he was doing the right thing.
When he comes to know Christ, Paul’s value system is overturned. What he thought was valuable before, Paul now considers as a loss. V.8a
Paul now considers them as rubbish. He has a new plan of life: (v.8b)
to gain Christ and to be found in him. V.9
The process of finding Christ is not through the law (of Moses), but through faith in Christ and God’s righteousness. V.9.
In v.10, Paul specifies faith as a force
- to know Christ
To know the power of his resurrection
To share in his sufferings and death.

16. Commentary con’t
12 It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ (Jesus). 13 Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God's upward calling, in Christ Jesus.
Paul continues his pursuit in hope that he may possess it (resurrection of the dead). (v.12)
He is already possessed by Christ. V.12
Christ has succeeded in possessing him.
But Paul admits he has not possessed Christ yet. (v.13)
He forgets the past and moves forwards to the future (like the message of the 1st reading).
His future is Christ.
Paul repeats what he says in v.12. God’s upward calling = resurrection.v.14

17. Reflections on the 2nd reading
Paul is relating his own experience of conversion. (complete change of values)
What is the story of our own conversion?
If we take Paul as our inspiration, then our pursuit must be to possess Jesus Christ.
The things we value very much, we must consider as rubbish (basura).
Worldly values do not combine with Christ. For Paul, it must be one or the other.
Craving for things, prestige, etc., is a sign of the absence of deep spirituality.
Our goal must be to have “perfect maturity” (spiritual maturity, knowing what is necessary and what is not) and to experience resurrection.

18. The focus is on Jesus’ mercy to the sinner.
Gospel Reading: John 8,1-11
1 Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. 4 They said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5 Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" 6 They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. 7 But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. 10 Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11 She replied, "No one, sir." Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, (and) from now on do not sin any more."
The focus is on Jesus’ mercy to the sinner.

19. Gospel Reading: John 8,1-11 A simple outline! Setting
1 Then each went to his own house, while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle.
Testing Jesus
4 They said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5 Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" 6 They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him.
Jesus’ response to their nagging
Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. 7 But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.
Getting his point
9 And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. 10 Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11 She replied, "No one, sir." Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, (and) from now on do not sin any more."

20. Commentary Gospel Reading: John 8,1-11
Setting
1 Then each went to his own house, while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle.
Testing Jesus
4 They said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5 Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" 6 They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him.
Jesus’ response to their nagging
Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. 7 But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.
Getting his point
9 And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. 10 Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11 She replied, "No one, sir." Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, (and) from now on do not sin any more."
Vv.1-3 provide the setting of the controversy about to unfold. It is set in the temple; People coming to Jesus; the scribes and the Pharisees too come, but with a woman caught in adultery.
Vv.4-6 reveal the sinister plot of the Scribes and Pharisees. They use the woman caught in adultery.
In v.7, they force him to say something. For whatever he would say should be a cause for condemnation. But his unexpected answer foil their plan.
Vv.6b and 8 enclose v.7. (Style: inclusion)
In vv.9-11, Jesus is left alone with the woman. No condemnation from the bad guys and from Jesus, of course.

21. Reflections on the gospel reading
Jesus comes not to condemn but to give life.
It is not in his agenda to bring death to anyone.
Jesus cannot be manipulated as an instrument of condemnation.
Shame on all those who try to use Jesus to condemn others.
There is hope to all sinners, no matter how scandalous they have lived.
The text invites all to repentance and to appreciate the healing and life-giving/ preserving forgiveness of Jesus.
His forgiveness does not condone immorality.

22. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
The first reading makes us focus our attention to the new.
The psalm celebrates great deeds of the Lord, which are new in the eyes of the people.
The second reading relates Paul’s new set of values when he finds Jesus.
The gospel reading demonstrates Jesus’ approach to the sinner, which is something new.
It seems that we should develop the theme of the new. Lent is a season to experience newness offered by God.

23. How to develop your homily and sharing
Begin by relating your experience of wanting / craving for something new (the newest dress, the latest cellphone, the newest car, ipod, the newest product, etc.).
The readings have different meanings of the word “new” which each Christian should crave.
How should we understand “new”?

24. The second reading defines new as a result of knowing Jesus.
The first reading defines new as something that God is going to do for his people (something to hope for).
The new things are water in the desert, rivers in the wasteland.
New life to the discouraged and desperate people.
The second reading defines new as a result of knowing Jesus.
Paul has learned a new criteria of judging what is to be valued and what is to be considered trash.
The gospel reading defines new as God’s unchanging mercy and forgiveness, not affected by pressures and malicious people.

25. In this season of Lent, the readings call us also to reject what is old. (sinful ways)
The first reading considers old as hopelessness, thinking only of the good ol’ days.
The second reading considers old as the values one holds on to before encounter with Jesus. (being oppressive, narrow-minded)
In the gospel reading, the old can be the sinister plot of the scribes and the Pharisees, bad intentions, their destructive scheme, manipulation, putting others into embarrassing situation, no delicadeza, using religion / beliefs / laws to condemn others.
If you have bad intentions, you can’t be right.

26. In our families, communities and churches, we must be on the look out for something new.
We cannot afford to be basking in the good ol’ days.
We should refrain from holding on to old stories, citing they were better times.
Don’t dampen the spirits of the young at heart.
The New Evangelization calls for new ways to evangelize.

27. If we truly believe in Christ, we must dump a lot of garbage that is in us, those that stink and that are unacceptable Christian behaviors, etc.
If we are Christians, we must forgive, even those who give grave scandal, and guide them not to sin again.
We have something new if we now have the ability to forgive others, have a better way to deal with sinners (not condemnatory), have new goals (to know Christ more), have better ways to enjoy life, living moral lives, etc.

28. The eucharist is an encounter with Christ who is always ready to forgive us, to make us new.
Christ comes to us, in the forms of bread and wine, precisely to save us, not to condemn us.
Our participation here is a sign that we accept God’s forgiveness and love and that afterwards, we don’t go back to sin.
In this eucharist, we thank God for giving us another chance. In our encounter with him, we are assured of our resurrection and our salvation.

29. Our Context of Sin and Grace
Dirty Old Men
Adultery
Fixated to the old ideas, no ongoing formation
Judgmental
Misjudgment
Bad intentions
Saving others from condemnation
Forgiveness
Giving another chance
Arbitration
Giving the benefit of the doubt
Open to new space and time
The End

30. Suggested Songs It’s Time to Prepare (offertory) Lord I know
Lord I know