- 1st Reading – Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19
- 2nd Reading – 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13
- Gospel – Luke 4:21-30
Today we hear that Jesus was preaching in the synagogue in his hometown. And at first the people seemed very impressed with his words, and as the Gospel says, “they spoke highly of him”. But Jesus was able to see through them. He knew their admiration was only superficial. They had heard of the miracles he had performed in Capernaum and were expecting the same. They were thinking only of their own gain. Then things went from bad to worse when, while referencing the Old Testament Prophets Elijah and Elisha, Jesus told them that God’s love was for all people, Gentiles included, that the Jews were not exclusively special in God’s eyes. Their prideful expectations were being challenged. He was completely out of their control which frustrated them so much so that they turned on him in anger and wanted to throw him off a cliff.
In today’s first reading we hear from the Prophet Jeremiah who was also rejected by his own people. Jeremiah lived in very troubling times and suffered greatly for proclaiming God’s Word. In his troubles Jeremiah felt he was inferior and a failure. Elijah and Elisha who were references in the Gospel were also rejected by their own people, that’s common in many aspects of life, even in today’s society. Doctors often say that they can be a good doctor to anyone but their own family members. Where a patient sees a skilled professional, a brother or sister only sees that sibling that they used to fight with. Instead of seeing a person’s abilities we see their background. It seems that people would often rather listen to a stranger rather than take advice of a serious nature from someone that they know well. 13 years ago, after I was ordained, when I went to preach a homily for the 1st time, I stood at the ambo and looked out over the parishioners at St. Michael’s, a parish that I had grown up in since I was 11. I saw people that I had known in high school, teachers, other classmates, and even 2 women that I had dated in High School, and I thought, this is going to be a tough crowd to preach to. It was very intimidating.
And so, it also goes with spiritual life. Many times, people won’t acknowledge the spirituality of someone they are close to because they still see that person as he or she was before being committed to God. Pride is what gets in our way. Just like those in Jesus’ hometown. It takes humility to acknowledge the presence of the Lord in another person.
It also takes courage to proclaim the truth, without considering whether that person will reject us. Jesus was not afraid to proclaim the truth, and it meant rejection from his neighbors. But Jesus held onto the truth and through the power of the truth was able to walk right through their midst. We have to have the courage to confront our fear of rejection by our peers, when standing up for what is right, and standing up for the Word of God. We are all called to be prophets, to be messengers of God in some way. Even if we may think that we’re not good enough to lead others to Christ, we are. We all are. God makes us good enough. We have to have the humility to acknowledge the power of God in others, and the power of God in ourselves. There will very likely be many times in our lives when we will have to have the courage to stand up and proclaim the truth. And there may be times in our life when we have to listen to the truth—–even if it comes from someone close to us. The truth leads to the Kingdom of God.
One of the greatest truths in Holy Scripture comes from our second reading today; the truth of love. Chapter thirteen of St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians is some of the most beautiful and poetic of all Sacred Scripture. This passage holds one of my earliest memories of reading the bible when I was little; the first passage that I memorized and really stuck with me. I’m sure it’s special to many people, as it is one of the readings that is often read at weddings. It is also quoted when people need to be reminded of the true nature and meaning of love.
The type of love St’ Paul was talking about is called “Agape” in Greek. This is the type of love that flows to us from God through Jesus Christ; this unselfish, all-giving, pure love. This type of love is the ideal way for us to relate to others.
Some versions of Holy Scripture use the word “Charity” in place of the word love. The word charity simply echoes active love. No Christian action can be performed without active love. If you are kind to someone, it’s because you love that person in Christ. If you are feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, or aiding anyone in need, such charitable acts are acts of love. Love is perfected by our charitable acts towards others. And what we do to others, we do to Christ. One of the reasons that love is so important is because love is eternal. It will always be with us. The love that we show towards God and our brothers and sisters will be with us for eternity. While all the gifts of the Holy Spirit will come to an end, love will persist forever. Love will persist forever because, as 1st John Chapter 3 tells us “Love is from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. And chapter 4 goes on to tell us, “God is Love”.
Reading our 2nd reading today, this beautiful description of love, we have to admit that we often fail and don’t measure up to God’s expectation of us; because sometimes we’re not patient. Sometimes were not kind. Sometimes we are rude and selfish; we take offense and are resentful. Sometimes——maybe more than we like to admit, we don’t put aside childish ways.
But we all have the ability to give and to receive that “Agape” type of love. Each one of us was created by God, who is Love, in order that he might love us, be loved by us in return, and that we may love each other.
We belong to God. He is our Father. And if God is our Father, then we are all brothers and sisters, all bonded together as members of his family, the Body of Christ. That has implications in terms of how we treat each other. We are called to care for each other, called to do what is good for each other, to seek what is decent, just and right for others. All of the Church’s teachings on social justice are based on that fundamental truth of “Agape” love.
St. Paul declares that faith, hope and love remain, but the greatest of these is love. That’s because of these three great virtues, only love endures in the end. Faith and hope are the true paths to God, but love is God.