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February 3, 2013

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Opening Prayer

First Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19

Psalm: 71:1-6, 15-17

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:31 - 13:13 or 13:4-13

Gospel Reading: Luke 4:21-30

This Sunday’s Gospel is a continuation from last Sunday’s (Luke 4:14-21). Jesus, speaking in the synagogue in Nazareth, has announced that the Old Testament prophecies have been fulfilled in him; that the long awaited Messiah is here (see last week’s study).

The people are at first filled with excitement at his words. Their amazement turns to skepticism, however, as they recall that they have known Jesus and his family his whole life and he has never seemed exceptional or performed miracles for his own townsfolk, many of whom were relatives (see Mark 6:1-6a).

They are further incensed when Jesus, pointing out their lack of faith, compares them to the faithless people of Israel in the time of the prophets. These saw no miracles by the prophets, except for the despised Gentiles, or non-Jews (1 Kings 17:1-16 and 2 Kings 5:1-14).

In a foreshadowing of what will later happen to many of his followers (Acts 7:58, 13:50), the crowd attempts to avoid hearing Jesus’ message by getting rid of him—permanently. Jesus, however, is always the master of his own destiny.

QUESTIONS:

What is Jesus saying through the proverb (verse 23)? Through the Elijah and Elisha stories? How does this relate to the prophetic statements in Luke 2:14, 2:32, and 3:6? In what way do these words of Jesus to the villagers in Nazareth strike a chord in your own heart?

Why do Jesus’ words to them turn the people’s amazement (verse 22) into anger (verses 28-29)? What might your reaction be to his words if they were directed toward you?

Elijah (1 Kings 17:1-16) and Elisha (2 Kings 5:1-14) performed miracles for Gentiles at a time and in a culture where it was frowned upon. Who are the “Gentiles” God desires you to care for? How might you do it?

Jesus was set aside from all time (see the First Reading) to be the Messiah, the anointed One of God (see verse 4:18; the word Messiah means “the anointed one,” as does the Greek word “Christ”). How are we also set apart by God from all time and for what purpose are we set apart?

Jesus’ neighbors reject him because he grew up among them (verses 22-24). How have you fared with evangelizing your relatives (or being evangelized by them)? How do you deal with the reactions?

Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 547—549

It is human to err; it is devilish to remain willfully in error. -St. Augustine