Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Ps. 96:1,3-5,11-13, Luke 4:16-30
“All in the synagogue were wrathful when they heard this. And they rose, put him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built so that they might throw him down headlong.” (Luke 4:28-29)
In today’s Gospel passage, what began as a happy reception of Jesus eventually turned into an attempt to kill him. What was responsible for this change of attitude? We humans do not value what belongs to us.
Jesus was given the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah to read. When he finished reading, the people were eager to hear what He would say. Jesus returned the scroll to the attendant and began: “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” In other words, Jesus said: “I am the Messiah. I am the one Isaiah was talking about.”
As the people listened to Jesus, they were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth, but when Jesus’ words began to dawn on them, they became troubled. Could he be the Messiah? Is this not the same Jesus we know? Why is He trying to claim what He is not?
The people of Nazareth thought they knew everything about Jesus. They thought Jesus was just one of them. In Matthew’s version of this encounter, they mentioned the names of the supposed brothers and sisters of Jesus to show that Jesus was an ordinary carpenter’s son. They took offence at Jesus for trying to claim He is God; as a result, Jesus did not work many miracles there. (Cf. Matthew 13:54-58)
Jesus was surprised at their poor reception. He told them, “A prophet is never appreciated in his hometown.” This is the truth. We always look down on what belongs to us. We look down on our family members, home, community and even country. We all suffer from an inferiority complex about whatever is produced in our land. Like the people of Nazareth, we don’t believe God can take flesh among us.
Jesus further told them how they have always looked down on the prophets. As a result, foreigners like the widow of Zarephath and Naaman the Syrian received Divine intervention while they (the so-called chosen children of God) were left out. This was a truth too hard to swallow. The people rushed at Jesus and wanted to kill him.
Let us examine our consciences. Do I look down on my priest because I knew him as a seminarian? Do I find it difficult to ask my priest to pray for me because I don’t believe God can work through him? Like those who looked down on Jesus, you may assume you know everything about your priest, but you might be wrong. Don’t forget that God is not like us. God chooses the weak to shame the strong.
On the other hand, do I look down on my church? Do I believe in the power of the Mass? Do I still pray the rosary? Why do we rush from church to church when we are in trouble? Have we forgotten that God is physically present in the Blessed Sacrament? When last did we visit Him there? Like Jesus mentioned, do you know that Pentecostal pastors have discovered the power of the Blessed Sacrament? They come like Nicodemus to visit when no one is watching, then they go to their church and begin to perform, but we pass that same Blessed Sacrament every day and look away.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, teach me to value that which is mine. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of week 22 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Ps. 96:1,3-5,11-13, Luke 4:16-30).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu