The Rejection at Nazareth [February 3, 2013]

The Sunday Gospel [February 3, 2013]

Luke 4:21-30

21He said to them, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” 23He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’” 24And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. 25Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. 26It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. 27Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” 28When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. 29They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. 30But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

Reflection

Jesus’ townsfolk show themselves to be superficial and fickle. At first they are mesmerized by the depth and beauty of Jesus’ thought and speech, but they think of all the wonders that Jesus has done elsewhere and they turn on him in a fit of resentment for not having favored them with his feats of power.

We are not strangers to that disappointing experience that Jesus had at the hands of his neighbors. What steps can we take to ensure that our actions, rather than mirroring those of our neighbors, keep us united to Jesus?

Prayer Response

God, grant us the strength to do what is right and called for in spite of the clamor of resentment that rises up from selfish people around us.

Suggested Action

Do an act of kindness for someone in genuine need without regard to how that person is perceived by others.

Credits: Catholic Prayer Bible, Lectio Divina Edtion

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarroabel.blogspot.com/).