Gospel 

Luke 4:16-30

Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the l passage where it was written:The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me Lord 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. Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Is this not the son of Joseph?” He said to them “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’” And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is l accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

Sermon

My brothers and sisters in Christ, today's Gospel passage presents us with a dramatic scene in the synagogue at Nazareth, where Jesus proclaims his mission and message. He reads from Isaiah, declaring that he has come to bring glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives, and sight to the blind. But as he sits down, the crowd's initial admiration turns to fury.

Why? Because Jesus confronts them with an uncomfortable truth. He tells them that he will not perform miracles just to impress them, but will instead minister to those who are truly in need, even if they are outsiders.

Jesus cites examples from the prophets Elijah and Elisha, who helped foreigners and not their own people. This enrages the crowd, who want Jesus to prove himself to them, not to others.

This passage challenges us to consider our own response to Jesus' message. Are we like the crowd, wanting Jesus to bless us and our own, or are we willing to accept his mission to those who are marginalized and oppressed?

May we be open to the uncomfortable truth that Jesus brings, and may we support his mission to bring light and hope to all people.

Prayer

Let us pray: + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Almighty, merciful and loving God, we come before you, reflecting on the dramatic scene in the synagogue at Nazareth. Help us to be open to the uncomfortable truth that Jesus brings, and to support his mission to bring light and hope to all people.

Forgive us for wanting to limit your blessings to ourselves and our own, and for being resistant to your message of ministry to those who are marginalized and oppressed.

Give us the courage to accept your mission to bring glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives, and sight to the blind. Help us to see the needs of others and to respond with compassion and love.

May we be willing to step out of our comfort zones and support your mission to those who are truly in need, regardless of their background.

We pray for those who are marginalized and oppressed, that they may know your love and hope. We pray for ourselves, that we may be open to your uncomfortable truth and supportive of your mission.

In Jesus' most holy name we pray, Amen.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you,

Rev. Fr. Jhimerson Maneclang,SCJ