January 31, 2016

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time C Jeremiah 1: 4-5 17-19; 1 Corinthians 12:31 - 13:13; Luke 4: 21-30 We know that we have been called and chosen. We know that God has always been present in our lives. We know that God loves and cares for us all the time. We know that we haven’t even come close to being grateful for all that God continues to do for us. We know when Jesus said that we are not to hide our gifts or ‘light’ under a bushel basket, (Matthew 5: 14-16; Luke 8: 16-18). He was referring to each of us. We know Jesus referred to each of us as being lights for our world to see. We know that these lights are what Paul is referring to as ‘gifts’ in the second reading. We know all these things in our head. And for the most part, we try to ‘shine’ with the gifts God has blessed us with so that others can see that they are ‘gifted’. And we know we need to let these gifts be shared so that others can see God’s love filling every inch of our world. All this sounds very nice. It also seems very easy. It would seem that it is the most logical application of Jesus’ constant theme that St. John tells us in his first letter (1 John 4:16) “God is love and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.” Yet Jesus never said that it would be easy. He never said that people would be overjoyed in hearing about God’s love. He never said that the devil would give up and quit in his total opposition to God and God’s love and the exercise of total loving by the followers of Jesus. Instead He told us repeatedly not to be afraid. He said over and over that it is by God’s power that the devil would be defeated. Jesus showed us by His death that God has won the battle. Now we are to continue the ‘conversion’ of people to God, to love. Is it easy? No, never has been never will be. This is what the readings highlight for us today. I think it is good at this point to go to the Book of Revelation and listen to John’s words in the twelfth chapter. It starts out with, “A great sign appears in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” John then describes the war that broke out in heaven with Michael and his angels battling against the “huge red dragon” which the footnote says was the Devil or Satan. Michael won and there was no longer a place for the devil in heaven; so the ‘huge’ dragon and his angels were thrown down to earth. What follows is a highlighted section where St John shares his vision, “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘Now have salvation and power come and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed. For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accuses them before our God day and night. They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by word of their testimony love for life did not deter them from death. Therefore, rejoice, you heavens, and you who dwell in them. But woe to you, earth and sea, for the Devil has come down to you in great fury, for he knows he has but a short time.” John concludes this chapter with these important words, “Then the dragon became angry with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring, those who keep God’s commandments and bear witness to Jesus. It took its position on the sand of the sea.” We are in a battle and there is no battle that is lovely. Battles are fierce and constantly raging. In the first reading we hear how Jeremiah was privileged to receive a call from God while there was peace in Jerusalem. Had the king and the people listened to his message, Israel would not have fallen captive to Babylon. Even though Jeremiah was young, God is clear about the challenges he will have to face in being God’s witness. Where does the attack come from? Not from the enemy but from his own people. They felt they knew what was right so they would not listen to God’s word through the prophet. ‘I know what is right for me!”’ How often I have thought this? God knows what’s right for me but I can so easily want ‘my way’. Paul encountered a similar opposition with the Corinthians. They were a proud community and they felt good about themselves and where they were at with the Lord. Paul’s constant plea was for unity. “‘Be united in the same mind and in the same purpose” He tells them that they are to strive for the spiritual gifts from God which enable them to be aware of God’s love and how He wants others to see and be touched with this love. But the people liked their own importance and the ‘flashy’ gifts like prophecy and tongues. Paul tells them that even if they have these gifts and fail to love they are empty. This love is the type that sacrifices for the good of the whole. It’s not about me, it’s about God and loving God. Paul is telling them and each of us that LOVE is God’s greatest gifts since it is meant to be the way of life for all Christians. In the Gospel the people in Jesus’ own hometown did not respond with delight over what He said. No one cheered. Instead they attempted to throw Him off the steep cliff down to the rocks below because He did not fit into ‘their thoughts’ as to what the Messiah would be. So the message of the Good News is not ‘good’ for people who are living their lives according to ‘their own book’. They are growing in their pursuit for more power for more possessions, for more pleasure. They want to enjoy the ‘love’ they feel will set them free and will bring them freedom and ‘real life.’ This slips so easily into me and each person’s psyche. Why not? The world of ‘me’ is in keeping with the world of anti-love. We want to do what we want to do…because I want to do it and it makes me happy. We want to be the ‘nice person ’ and have everyone ‘love me’ but we often find ourselves in that difficult position of having to be the ‘big, bad grown-up for our children.’ We have to be the person who realizes love involves much sacrifice and pain and always concerns the other. AND we need help to be people of love. So how are we doing? And I reflect on: Alice Camille in Exploring the Sunday Readings asks: • “Have you ever been inspired to challenge a prevailing or popular idea? How do you discern if a contrary voice is speaking prophetically? • Paul talks of the three things that matter: faith, hope and love. “If you had to prove your investments in the three things that remain to what would you point? • What obligations does freedom put on the human soul that possesses it? How might we be unwilling to accept that responsibility today?” • Jeremiah showed courage, Paul did not change his proclamation of the truth; Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life…where does my guiding light come from? • The people in the synagogues were so angry at Jesus because of what He said. But why did they take the ultimate step and try to kill him? Because He showed the ugly things that lay hidden in them. What is ugly in me that I won’t give up? Why? Sacred Space 2016 shares: “‘Is this not Joseph’s son?’ His townspeople begrudged Jesus His success and the fact that ‘all spoke well of Him.’ How do I feel when someone I know well is successful? Am I a begrudging person? ‘He passed through the midst of them.’ Jesus was fully human yet he was also in control of His life He is a mysterious person No one could take His life from Him: He would lay it down freely. I make myself a companion to Jesus as He walks sadly away from Nazareth.