Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C

On the Fourth of July, the neighbors in my tiny town come out to the curb with lawn chairs and lemonades, united in the fun of watching the local parade. The high school band goes by, followed by the mayor in a convertible. Classic cars fill the air with the kind of exhaust fumes that are now banned, and the small kids throw candy to the spectators. Then we all walk down to the park and admire the baked goods in the bake-off, and eat hot dogs grilled by the Recreation Department. Police officers blow up balloons for kids.

“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (v. 21b)

Good morning boys and girls,

I'm practically bursting with joy to see you in this hour. Know why? I get to show my love for you by telling a good news story from the Bible.

But first, what do I have here? (show series of objects) I want to know what is the purpose of, for example, a fly swatter? (children answer)
What is the purpose of a cup? (children answer)

Contents
“The Challenge to be Humble” by Keith Wagner
“Forgiveness Without Limits” by Keith Wagner


The Challenge to be Humble
by Keith Wagner
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

The word epiphany is from the Greek and refers to the experience of a sudden and amazing realization. Usually it’s applied to a scientific or philosophical/religious breakthrough, but it can apply in any situation in which a brilliant insight gives a person a different perspective on life or a problem s/he has been considering. For example, Archimedes’ famous shriek of “Eureka!” came as he was in the baths, contemplating yet again the difficulty of determining if a given mass would float.

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Imagine a worship service, a sharing of scripture and interpretation, that went on from dawn until midday. How would you respond? In many of our mainline churches a worship service that last more than an hour risks negative comments to the pastor. “Worship was too long.” “I have other things to do today.” “Can’t you try to keep worship to an hour?”

Some time ago there was a series of programmes on BBC 2 on the recent history of the Catholic Church. The series was called "Absolute Truth", and one programme looked at Catholicism in the developing parts of the world. It studied the work of liberation theologians in Latin America, particularly Leonardo Boff and Oscar Romero.

Theme For The Day
The church as the body of Christ is dynamic, unified, and organic.

Old Testament Lesson
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Ezra Reads The Law To The People