February 3, 2019

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time C
Jeremiah 1: 4-5, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 12: 31- 12: 13; Luke 4: 21-30
Do I listen to what God is telling me or to what I want to hear from God? Does my belief depend on
what is easy and comfortable for me? Do I realize that God is challenging me to take the next step?
And do I realize that the ‘next step’ is bringing me closer to the Lord and further away from what I want
and desire to happen? Do I believe that God’s way is going to involve rejection from people I like and
will involve a way that is ‘less traveled’? Do I hold to the theory ‘If only He did this (like heal a loved
one…got me that job…helped me get on track with my life…) then I certainly would believe in Him?
The three scripture passages today are some of my favorites because I like their words, their message
and the direction I feel they are leading me. I just have to remember to put God’s spin on them realizing
that He is leading me closer to Himself. It is all about what God is doing to and for me and not about
me and my wants.
An overview of the book of Jeremiah tells us that the prophet brought God’s word to a people that was
unwilling to listen. They had neglected their spirituality and God’s laws. The nation was so weak it was
near collapse. The nation was in crisis. God’s plan was to bring Jeremiah on the scene showing the
people He never abandoned them. He urges them to listen to God’s words through the prophet and he
will show them the way to healing and restoration. We can see in the opening verses that God’s plan has
always been to help, love, care for and forgive His people. Even Jeremiah’s call and vocation predates
his birth: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the
nations I appointed you…stand up and tell them [the people], all that I command you…They will fight against you but
not prevail over you for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.” It was definitely not going to be an
easy road, Jeremiah was opposed by many people because they expected a prophet with a nicer, easier
message. Jeremiah continually complains through his many ‘laments’ pleading with God to help and
God never abandons Jeremiah. We must realize that each person born was not an accident but planned
by God. No one can say, ‘I was an accident’. God loved the world and created me to ‘be Jesus’ in my
world. Just look at the slew of gifts God has blessed you/me with…these come with one conclusion:
There are some things, done certain ways, in certain circumstances, that can ONLY be done through you
and me. Think about how profound that is. This shows that there are certain things God wants, expects
and hopes for the world that might never become a reality, unless one particular individual does one
particular thing in one particular circumstance. That’s why the verse,“Before I formed you in the womb I
knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you” is so important for
each of us to reflect on. This is what God’s love and plan is all about: the salvation of the world. NOW
HOW CAN THIS BE DONE?
Paul’s oft quoted and beautiful explanation of the gift of love from God shows us the way. God’s plan
can take fruition in each person’s life. Here, as in Jeremiah, Paul is addressing a community torn apart
by factions, by people trying to show their ‘importance’ through the special gifts God has given them.
These people are not showing love of God, rather love of themselves. Look at the negative adjectives
Paul uses: jealous, pompous, inflated, rude, seeking one’s own interests, being quick-tempered,
brooding over injuries, or rejoicing in wrongdoing. Sunday Homily Helps describes it in this way:
“Love is a decision that always requires self-sacrifice. Those who are determined to live a pain-free life
at all cost endue becoming incredibly selfish because their world becomes progressively smaller, for
only they matter.”
Paul lists the attributes of unselfish love: patient, kind, not jealous or rude, not self seeking, hopeful and
never failing. Am I living to make these a part of my daily life?
Jesus began speaking in His home town Nazareth. Unfortunately they expected special treatment. ‘Do
something special for us…showing us You are from here…we deserve this…look at all we have done in
Your development…And how can Jesus be the prophet that Isaiah 61 proclaimed? “The Spirit of the Lord
God is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty
to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the
Lord.” (Luke 4: 18-19) We know You… Joseph’s son, nothing more, nothing less. Luke then tells of two
Old Testament prophets, Elijah and Elisha, and their experiences. During a severe famine, Elijah was
sent to help a poor widow, who was considered of the lowest class and not to the many other needy
people. Elisha was sent to heal a gentile leper even though there were many Jewish lepers needing help.
God’s help is universal…all are loved…no one has an upper hand. Now the people were really upset to
the point they wanted to throw Jesus over the steep cliff, but He “…passed through the midst of them and
went away.”
The common element we see in Jeremiah and Paul and Jesus in Nazareth is that God is challenging our
mind set versus His plan. Am I a witness of God or a proclaimer of my way? Living the Word shares a
powerful reflection: “It seems that the prophetic skill set requires the ability to handle rejection and
continue prophesying no matter what. Like the love that Paul describes, a prophet needs to bear, endure
and hope for all things. A prophet needs to love as God loves us. A prophet needs patience, kindness,
truthfulness, to be without guile, jealousy, rudeness or quick temper. A prophet needs the same kind of
love that God shows each of us and calls us to show one another. Because we were formed in God’s
image and likeness in our mother’s wombs, we are called to love. We may not be a prophet, but part of
all our job descriptions is to announce God’s word by how we live. Open to that word, some will be
open to us. Resisting that word, some will resist us. Remember, God is with us and will help us do our
job. Resistance is futile!”
I reflect on:
• How have I experienced resistance to announcing God’s word?
• What helps me cope in the face of rejection, doubt, or opposition?
• When have I felt with absolute certainty that God was with me in a struggle? What circumstances
helped me through this?
• There is no coincidence with God…do I believe that I was called before I was born?
• Whom do I really love? In what ways do I need to grow in love?
Sacred Space 2019 states:
“Coming as Savior to visit His people, Jesus intends to lift their troubles from their shoulders—but effort is needed
on their part too. He tells the townspeople of Nazareth that it’s not just a question of spectacle, of a show of
miracles. A deep change of heart will be required.
Jesus offers healing and help to me, but am I open to allow Him to act in my life?