In our First Reading, From the Book Of
the Prophet Jeremiah
Jer 1:4-5, 17-19
The mission of Jeremiah covers a period of some 40 years (from 627 to 587BC) Well aware of the usual fate of a prophet (meaning a person who speaks in the name of some one else, not one who foretells the future) Jeremiah had no desire to be a prophet but finally and with great reluctance obeyed God's call.
Speaking in the name of God and stating what he commands people to do runs into the opposition of evil, especially when the evil ones belong to the power structure of society. Jeremiah prefigures the prophet Jesus and prophetic figures of all ages, actually all Christians who suffer because they try to do what is right.
The Responsorial Psalm is that that we put our trust in Jesus because of his love and kindness and that he has done great things for us, so we should be filled with joy and love for him and to be like him
in your self-giving.
In the Second Reading, From the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians
1 Cor 12:-12-31 -- 13:13 or 13: 4-13
The Church must fulfill its role as prophet in our society, hence be willing to experience reactions similar to those of Jeremiah and Jesus had to face. As members of that Church ( the "body of Christ" about which Paul speaks so eloquently in this reading) we must do likewise. It can be done, provided we are inspired and guided by genuine love.
We should continue to bear witness through word and example, and pray that God may open the minds of those who cannot see the light.
In the Gospel of Luke
Lk 4:21-30
The early Church, for whom Luke wrote this Gospel, had to face the fact that Judaism as a whole opposed the Christian message and could not see Jesus as the promised Messiah. By recounting this tradition about what happened to Jesus in his hometown, Luke deals with this problem. Actually he fuses several visits and several reactions together in this one story. Notice: " All were amazed." They asked : " Isn't this the son of Joseph?" Who does he think he is? Why does he not work a few miracles here also? And finally they reject him.
Since Judaism as a whole rejected Jesus, the message was directed to the Gentiles. Jesus points out that Elijah and Elisha worked their miracles for non-Jews. God's word to all who suffer because of Christian witness: " But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went away." Suffering is part of Christian witness. Final victory belongs to Christ and all who are willing to suffer with him.
