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"Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime." – Martin Luther King Jr.

At this special time of year, we have books to inspire and delight you. Accompany your little ones 'On the Road to Emmaus' or through 'Via Lucis: The Way of the Light'. Or perhaps, reflect with Fr Michael on the Gospel resurrection narratives in 'Alive'.

Sunday Reflection - 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Sunday Reflection - 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Posted: Sat, 29 Jan 2022 09:44

Sunday Reflection - 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Rejection is always hard to accept. Years ago, I applied for a scholarship for Oxford University that I hoped would have improved my teaching. When I received the letter of rejection, I was very disappointed and took it personally. However, it forced me to work harder on a new letter of application and the interview process that followed—my semester at Manchester College, Oxford, as a Farmington Fellow, made me glad that I did not give up when I fell at the first hurdle. In our gospel today we follow on from last week's clear statement of intent by Jesus. As his friends and family listened to him at their local synagogue, he made it very clear:

Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. (Lk 4:21)

For the people of Nazareth this was too much—they had grown up with 'Joseph's son' and this was just a step too far. Some of us can identify with the rejection brought about by friends or family. Somehow this type of rejection is harder because the act comes from those we care deeply for. Jesus makes a plea for the love that Paul speaks of in the second reading: he condemns the narrow parochialism that his fellow citizens display. Our readings show that true Christian love is not limited—it is totally unconditional. We might be able to speak with wonderful eloquence, Paul tells us, but if we do not have love, then powerful words are nothing. The powerful words, spoken by Jesus in Nazareth, were spoken with that divine unconditional. Religious people, sadly, can be guilty of wanting to limit the love of God: they see that God not possibly love those who are different. Thus, we see Christians restricting the unconditional divine love for people of colour, or from the wrong area, or who might be gay. The choice to build walls instead of bridges in their bigoted display of faith. Jesus wants to show that his love is for all, but especially the poor, the blind and the prisoners: he shows that religion can bring out the very best in people too. Today the call is to show our Christian love through tolerance, as our hearts and minds are liberated.

In the midst of the anger and rejection of his friends, Jesus does the right thing—he simply walks away. He wants no part of their petty narrow mindedness. He realises that faith and hope are useless without a true spirit of love. I pray that good religion will bring out the best in each of us today. In life, many of us have been forced to walk away from those who try to limit God's love in our lives. It has not been easy, especially if they have been close to us. Jesus was not embittered as he was forced to move through the crowd with all their bitterness, and leave his own home. This gave him a freedom to begin his challenging and exciting ministry into Galilee, Samaria and, eventually, Judea. Thomas Merton speaks of the splendour of God's love for each of us—it is a love that is over-generous and needs to be shared:

To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us - and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.

Author: Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB

Image: Steve Johnson on Unsplash

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