When we read today’s Gospel passage, we get the feeling that the people in Jesus' hometown of Nazareth seemed "closed" to his message.
Our Gospel today (Luke 4:21-30) is a great study in human reactions to the unexpected, and a great lesson in Christian attitudes. We go through life with "little boxes" into which we put all kinds of people. These are boxes of our own design. Politicians, preachers, performers, police, professors, common people - - we have a box for each one of them! So, if someone doesn't fit our "box description" then he or she is rejected, or ignored at best.
I am reminded of the Capucian Friar I used to assist a few years ago. One day he asked what "our" Saviour would look like, if we were asked to "design" that Saviour. So, out comes our little "box." Of course he would be Male, because I am male. (Handsome and balding, bearded and well-fed, for the same reason.) He’d ensure that everyone else elected the public official of "my" choice. He’d be a Terminator and stop all terrorists and wars; have an IQ of 300 but speak so everyone could understand; and instantly heal miraculously anyone for whom I prayed. And on and on. We tend to create God in our image, rather than accepting God as he reveals himself to us.
Our God revealed himself to the people in Nazareth, and he reveals himself to us today, as one who is to be found in the commonplace, in the ordinary events of our lives. In other words, he is to be found wherever we are, especially if we are poor and suffering. He treats us all the same - with great love and as sinners needing to work out our salvation every day. He calls us to believe, so that he can live in a unique temple within us, through Baptism. And he arranged to be available to us in a special sacramental way, the Holy Eucharist. That doesn't fit the "box" of a lot of people who have designed their own Messiah, so they ignore him and even try to throw "over the cliff" that concept (and reality) of Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament, as well as His Presence in the poor and suffering.
Friends, our Saviour proclaimed the Kingdom of God, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies. He calls everyone to enter that kingdom, the only condition he makes is to accept his word. He even invites sinners and shares the life of the poor. The Father wants to share his divine life with us, and he does this by gathering people around his son Jesus Christ the head of this "family of God". Just ask yourself today, my friend, if you live as though you believe that Jesus is your Saviour?
Our Gospel today (Luke 4:21-30) is a great study in human reactions to the unexpected, and a great lesson in Christian attitudes. We go through life with "little boxes" into which we put all kinds of people. These are boxes of our own design. Politicians, preachers, performers, police, professors, common people - - we have a box for each one of them! So, if someone doesn't fit our "box description" then he or she is rejected, or ignored at best.
I am reminded of the Capucian Friar I used to assist a few years ago. One day he asked what "our" Saviour would look like, if we were asked to "design" that Saviour. So, out comes our little "box." Of course he would be Male, because I am male. (Handsome and balding, bearded and well-fed, for the same reason.) He’d ensure that everyone else elected the public official of "my" choice. He’d be a Terminator and stop all terrorists and wars; have an IQ of 300 but speak so everyone could understand; and instantly heal miraculously anyone for whom I prayed. And on and on. We tend to create God in our image, rather than accepting God as he reveals himself to us.
Our God revealed himself to the people in Nazareth, and he reveals himself to us today, as one who is to be found in the commonplace, in the ordinary events of our lives. In other words, he is to be found wherever we are, especially if we are poor and suffering. He treats us all the same - with great love and as sinners needing to work out our salvation every day. He calls us to believe, so that he can live in a unique temple within us, through Baptism. And he arranged to be available to us in a special sacramental way, the Holy Eucharist. That doesn't fit the "box" of a lot of people who have designed their own Messiah, so they ignore him and even try to throw "over the cliff" that concept (and reality) of Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament, as well as His Presence in the poor and suffering.
Friends, our Saviour proclaimed the Kingdom of God, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies. He calls everyone to enter that kingdom, the only condition he makes is to accept his word. He even invites sinners and shares the life of the poor. The Father wants to share his divine life with us, and he does this by gathering people around his son Jesus Christ the head of this "family of God". Just ask yourself today, my friend, if you live as though you believe that Jesus is your Saviour?
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