First Reading - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Gospel - Luke 4:16-30
The first reading gives assurance on the faith of the Christians in Thessalonika. St. Paul reassures that it's faith in Jesus, who is the resurrection and the first fruit of those risen from the dead, will raise those who are dead or those who will die. The second coming of Jesus seems to be imminent in this instruction of Paul. As he emphasizes that when Jesus comes again he will raise the dead first and take also those who are alive along with him.
This teaching on the resurrection springs as a result of the doubt of the Christians regarding those who had died before the second coming of Christ; what will happen to them? This doubt of the people and teaching of St. Paul seems to highlight the imminent coming of Jesus. The imminent coming of Christ was the early belief of the early Christians and for sometimes even strongly held by Paul as well. However, over the course of time, St. Paul started to teach that the second coming of Jesus is not imminent but at His time still unknown to us.
The gospel reading, on the other side, presents a disbelief of the people. The hometown people of Jesus fail to trust Jesus because of their pre-knowledge of Jesus and his family. However, Jesus courageously affirms his identity and mission. Jesus affirms that he is the Messiah as Isaiah prophesied and his mission is directed to the oppressed and marginalized. He, judging the disbelief of his people, takes the example of the prophets (Elijah and Elisha) who chose gentiles ( a widow from Sidonian town and Naaman, a Syrian) rather than Israelites for they were open to the prophets than Israelites. This is how, Jesus also affirms, that he is going to do.
The mission of Jesus as cited from Isaiah: ("The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”) is called the Nazareth Manifesto that reflects jubilant jubilee year akin to the jubilee year mentioned in Leviticus. The mission of Jesus also marks the inauguration of the Messianic age with him.
Dear friends, Jesus is our Messiah and Saviour. We believe and live by this faith. However, the rejection of Jesus by his people reminds us as believers that our faith in Jesus is not going to be an easy path but will face rejection, oppression, and partiality from many. Let's learn from Jesus, just as he faced his rejection with courage and optimism so also we may be optimistic and courageous in our faith in Jesus. St. Paul teaches us that it's our faith in Jesus is our assurance that we will rise with him when he comes in glory (this is our reward for faith).
As we are the imitators of Christ, and Jesus openly acknowledged that his mission was directed to the oppressed, persecuted, rejected and vulnerable, so too our mission should be oriented for the upliftment of the oppressed and marginalized, for the betterment of the poor and ostracized, and for the harassed and vulnerable. Let our teacher and master teach and inspire us to become the voice of the voiceless, help for the helpless and guide for the lost.
May God strengthen our faith and make us courageous to face the challenges of our lives.
.jpeg)
0 Comments