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Reflection for Sunday 01/31/10

READINGS
First Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13
Gospel: Luke 4:21-30

REFLECTION:
The Nazarenes were excited to have Jesus speaking in their synagogue. Now here in his hometown they were amazed at his words but wondered where the son of the local carpenter got his wisdom. Jesus reminded them that “no prophet is accepted in his own native place.” He further reminded them that both Elijah and Elisha, rejected by many in Israel, served people from other lands. The Nazarenes were angered by Jesus’ words. After all, weren’t the Israelites the chosen people? Who did Jesus think he was, suggesting that the Lord intends to save all nations? The people in the synagogue that day became so angry that they drove Jesus out of town intending to throw him over a cliff. Yet Jesus walked through the crowd unharmed and left town. The Nazarenes found comfort and strength in their belief that God belonged only to the Israelites and spoke to them thorough prophets. They seem to have been unwilling to broaden their view of God and God’s relationship to all peoples. How complacent are we today in our concept of God and God’s interaction with creation?

1. What do you do when a message you are trying to deliver “falls on deaf ears”?
2. Are there times when you have not listened as well as you could to what someone was telling you? Why didn’t you?

PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, I am sometimes confused and frightened by new insights. Grant me the wisdom to discern the truth that leads me to you. Amen