Gospel: Lk 4:16-30*
(...) Jesus then unrolled the scroll and found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has
anointed me, to bring good news to the poor; to proclaim liberty to captives; and new sight to the blind; to free the
oppressed; and to announce the Lord’s year of mercy.” (...) Then he said to them, “Today, these prophetic words come true,
even as you listen.” All agreed with him, and were lost in wonder, while he spoke of the grace of God. Nevertheless they asked, “Who is
this but Joseph’s Son?” (...) Jesus added, “No prophet is honored in his own country. Truly, I say to you, there were many widows
in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens withheld rain for three years and six months and a great famine came over
the whole land. Yet, Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow of Zarephath, in the country of Sidon. (...) On hearing
these words, the whole assembly became indignant. They rose up and brought him out of the town, to the edge of the hill on
which Nazareth is built, intending to throw him down the cliff. But he passed through their midst and went his way.
Reflection:
People would usually admire you if you will admire them in return.
This mutual admiration if based on scratching each others back is not genuine.
It comes from mutual need and not based on reality. Jesus could say good
words to His town mates to win them to His side. He could neutralize them with
praise and flattery. But He does not. He prefers to tell them the truth. He prefers
to win them not with sweet words but with the true knowledge of who they
are. This does not seat well with the assembly. They are affronted by the frank words
of the Lord. And so they rise as one to do Him violence. If Jesus is not centered and
calm, He would have been lost in the swirl of their violent emotions. But He
walks calmly against their turbulent reaction and goes His way. When one remains
coolheaded despite heated emotions, one can always stay above the fray.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2021