Word to the Wise
Monday, September 4, 2017 - Monday in the 22th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Thess 4:13-18 and Luke 4:16-30]MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2017. MONDAY IN THE TWENTY-SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME [Labor Day] [1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and Luke 4:16-30. Scriptures may vary because of Labor Day, USA] "Today this Scripture passage has been fulfilled in your hearing." [Luke] The scene from the. Gospel According to Luke in today's gospel scripture is a dramatic one. Jesus begins his public ministry in his hometown! It isn't easy to do such a thing when the people in front of you are those who have known you since infancy. How could this guy have anything to teach US? Nevertheless they had heard he was doing some pretty powerful things elsewhere and they were curious. What they were not prepared for was an announcement that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecies about the Messiah! The scene erupts when Jesus confronts them with their lack of faith, and they run him out of town. In preaching parish missions, I use this gospel scripture for the third night of the mission which focuses on healing and mission. Pope Francis has called on all of us who are baptized to become "missionary disciples. We don't have to go very far to do this. Our hometowns are the first mission, along with our family and friends! We should be able to say and be the words Jesus spoke: "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." The reactions may range from approval to hostility, but discipleship requires preaching by word and example. Our families and hometowns are our first church. God willing, they will not be our last, but we have to start somewhere. AMEN