| Homily
for the 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year "C": January
28, 2007
Given by the Most
Reverend Stephen E. Blaire at the Cathedral of the Annunciation
in Stockton.
In the years that I was principal of a Catholic
high school I had a very wonderful campus minister, a woman
Religious, who was extremely effective in working with young
people. She was very positive and affirmed their goodness
and worth. But she also did not hesitate, in a kind and gentle
way, to put them on the right path when they were going in
the wrong direction. I think that all of us like to be affirmed
and lifted up, but I am not so sure that we appreciate it
when we are challenged or called to task.
When Jesus began His public ministry, preaching
in the synagogues of Nazareth and Capernaum, the people spoke
highly of Him and were amazed at His gracious words. But things
changed quickly when he began to challenge their ideas or
convictions. They knew they were the chosen people and to
be given the stories of the prophets Elijah and Elisha going
outside to pagan peoples to work the wonders of God was not
pleasant to their hearing. Jesus had gone beyond what they
wanted to hear. Jesus was speaking a universal message from
God, salvation for all. By the time Luke was writing his gospel,
Christianity was beginning to spread beyond the narrow confines
of the Jewish world.
St. Cyril of Alexandria, the great church father
of the fourth century who commented extensively on Luke’s
gospel said that those who heard Jesus speak treated his words
as worthless.
I think the same happens today. When we hear
words pleasing to us, we accept them, but when they disturb
our consciences we might well dismiss them as worthless. There
are people who choose a church where they get good feelings
from warm and fuzzy words. Certainly it is true that the gospel
is a great word of consolation and refreshment, but it can
also be harsh and demanding, as Jesus himself could be harsh
and demanding. Our “precious” savior can also
be an “angry” God. The people in the synagogue
were so upset they wanted to drive Jesus over the edge of
a cliff, but His time had not yet come.
When we listen to the gospel, it is good
to do so with an open heart and mind. The Church will guide
us and teach us. The Holy Spirit will instruct us in all things
and help us discern how to respond to the gospel in our lives.
The one thing we do not want to do is to push Jesus to the
edge of the cliff or regard his teaching as worthless. Jesus’
teaching consoles us for it is a gospel of love and mercy,
peace and reconciliation. But it is also a gospel which says
“come, follow me,” a gospel which calls for a
conversion of heart and change in the way we live.
Last Update January 28, 2007
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