Word to the Wise
Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - Twenty-second Wednesday in Ordinary Time
[Colossians 1:1-8 and Luke 4:38-44]to the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.
The people in Jesus' hometown reject him because he saw through their lack of faith and did not perform the signs they wanted him to. He continued on so that he could fulfill the mission mentioned in the scroll from Isaiah. However, the "crowds" continue to focus on the exorcisms and healings and not on the message. We are told in today's gospel scripture that the "crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them." The message is about the Kingdom of God, personified in Jesus himself. As he said to the synagogue: "Today this scripture is being fulfilled in your sight!" That's not what they were expecting! The son of a carpenter is not a Messiah or Deliverer! However, those healings and exorcisms are mighty helpful, whatever the message might be! Jesus' response is to keep moving and preaching. His "authority" is not derived from another "rabbi" as a student of that rabbi. His authority is himself and he has power over demons who realize what the crowds don't realize - that the Kingdom of God has arrived! To accept the Kingdom of God, we must accept not only that Jesus has come as savior but that we must live as if he is in our midst NOW. He is there in the person of our fellow humans who cry out to us for a word of consolation, a cup of water, something to wear, shelter, a healing touch. The scribe who pointed out that to love God and neighbor was worth more than any burnt sacrifice was told by Jesus: "You are not far from the Kingdom of God!" If we miss the message, then anything else simply becomes "magic." In Jesus' case, whatever happens as a result of his ministry happens because of his love. His healings, exorcisms, signs are all examples of his love in action. If we wish to continue to work for the Kingdom of God, we must show a similar love and be ready to accept it from others. AMEN