MY daily reflection and prayer:
Sunday, January 31, 2016
The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. Luke 4:21-30
And he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing. And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, `Physician, heal yourself; what we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here also in your own country.'” And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his own country. But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the land; and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. And they rose up and put him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw him down headlong. But passing through the midst of them he went away.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
IN last week’s reading (Luke 4:14-21), Jesus announced the inauguration of his ministry with a synagogue reading from Isaiah and the assertion that there is good news for the poor, release for captives, sight for the blind, and freedom from oppression. He finished up by proclaiming that this was the year of God’s favor and that today this anticipated prophecy was being fulfilled in their hearing.
By saying it, Jesus wants to point to himself as the fulfillment of the prophecy and as the one able to offer salvation to all who hear him. Such salvation is given to those who are marginalized and oppressed.
There are two responses to Jesus. First, they react his message with wonder and amazement. Second, all of the hometown crowd is full of anger.
Let’s notice the first reaction. It is not the first time in Luke that people respond with wonder to the message about Jesus. Since his birth as noted in Luke 2:18, all who hear the shepherds’ story respond with wonder. In Luke 2:33 we read, Jesus’ parents respond with wonder to Simeons’ declaration that Jesus is God’s salvation for both Gentile and Jew.
It is true that the proper response to the good news of God’s at work in the world through Jesus is wonder and amazement. In the Gospel today we hear the voices of the crowd saying, “Wow, what amazing news. Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” Of course, they are right, Jesus is Joseph’s son; however, they also must know that Jesus is the one true son, the Son of God (see Luke 3:38). Jesus is not simply the biological son of Joseph but the Son of God!
Why does this first response then changes with the second one in a contradictory one? At the same time as they are praising Jesus, they seems to be doubting him. Why?
It is because Jesus interrupts the wondering voices with his word by saying, “Well, if you are the fulfillment of this amazing proclamation of good news, then show us signs that this is the case.” Jesus knows that the crowd wants him to do the same miracles in Nazareth that he did in Capernaum. They think that the hometown son should show them special favor and consideration, especially if he is the fulfillment of such good news. But Jesus then says, “No prophet is acceptable in his home country”. (Look, for the first time in Luke, Jesus is identified as a prophet, but this will bring rejection rather than acceptance in the place where he is well known.) Jesus then continues his word by alluding to two famous prophets, Elijah and Elisha. This makes them all repond him with anger, even they rise up and try to kill him. But passing through the midst of them he goes away.
From the Gospel today we know that Jesus’ salvific ministry is available to all humankind. He makes it clear that he will not be a prophet who serves the special interests of his hometown but rather a messenger of good news for the whole world and especially the vulnerable.
The Archdiocese of Semarang invites us all to be the Church which is inclusive, innovative and transformative. We want to be a such Church because Jesus Christ himself comes to save all humankind. His salvific mercy is available to all.
Unfortunately, sometimes we find this same response to Jesus’ presence, even while we may be professing it with our lips. Thanks to the Lord for he knows the weakness of our human heart. He is willing to help us if we can only humbly recognize our weakness and implore his help.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist, while worshipping Jesus Christ, we want to trust in him with wonder and amazement. We want to share with his concern for the marginalized and vulnerable and for all.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, we want to open ourselves to what you propose to all of us in prayer and to eliminate all pride and human calculation at work in our heart and mind. We trust in you, for you seek only to make us happy now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
