Commentary on the Readings for Sunday – January 31, 2010
The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Readings for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, have several themes, each of which could be the subject of this commentary, but the one that I see that stands out is the theme of “love conquers all.”
The First Reading is from the Book of Jeremiah (1:4 – 5, 17 – 19). In this we read or hear the Prophet describing his first contact with God calling him to be a prophet – God’s spokesman. Jeremiah didn’t want to be a prophet and gave all kinds of excuses to God; he already had a job, he was a tree trimmer; he was too young and the people wouldn’t listen to him and he would be shamed and embarrassed. Nevertheless, God insists that Jeremiah was predestined “from the womb” to be God’s prophet to the people of Israel and he need not fear being shamed or “crushed” by his people; “They will fight against you, but will not prevail over you.” To the people of this time and culture, personal shame and embarrassment were worse than death itself, but God prevails upon Jeremiah and showers His love upon him resulting in Jeremiah being God’s prophet for nearly forty years.
The Responsorial Psalm (71:1 – 6, 15 – 17) continues the same theme,praying to be saved from shame and embarrassment. It could have been written or composed by Jeremiah, but the last line seems to say that the psalmist knew better and that God’s infinite love melted his heart and he ends with, “…from my youth …till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.”
The Second Reading is taken from St. Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians (12:31 – 13:13). This is Paul’s greatest oration or lesson on Love. Its message is: Regardless of what we say or do, for whom or to whom, if we do not do it with love, it is meaningless. We can be the greatest teacher, evangelist or prophet, but it is love that makes it come alive and from the heart of God.
The Gospel Reading is from Luke (4:21 – 30). This passage is a continuation of the Gospel reading for today’s Mass where Jesus is preaching in the synagogue in Nazareth and the townspeople are pleased with what He was saying until He got to a point where they began to question, in the their minds, where He got all this information and then discount what He was saying because He was just one of them and ‘nothing more.’ Jesus then challenges them and compares them with the pagan people of Sidon and Syria who, Jesus says, had more faith in Him then the local people. They became indignant and demanded signs and wonders and even tried to kill Him, but His love prevailed and He eluded their threats.
Let us stop to think about these readings and ask ourselves; “When God asks us for something, do we put up excuses?” When we are faced with a question about our faith or beliefs, do we become embarrassed to answer and become indignant? At such times we should call upon the never ending love that God holds out to each of us and respond with kindness that might be ‘sharper than a two-edge sword .’ How could anyone refuse Our Lord and Our God and yet we often do. Something to think about during your Prayer Time this week!
If you have questions or comments regarding the above, please send them, in writing, to the Parish Office. We will try to respond as quickly as possible.
Sunday Commentary
Commentary on the Readings for Sunday – January 31, 2010
The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Readings for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, have several themes, each of which could be the subject of this commentary, but the one that I see that stands out is the theme of “love conquers all.”
The First Reading is from the Book of Jeremiah (1:4 – 5, 17 – 19). In this we read or hear the Prophet describing his first contact with God calling him to be a prophet – God’s spokesman. Jeremiah didn’t want to be a prophet and gave all kinds of excuses to God; he already had a job, he was a tree trimmer; he was too young and the people wouldn’t listen to him and he would be shamed and embarrassed. Nevertheless, God insists that Jeremiah was predestined “from the womb” to be God’s prophet to the people of Israel and he need not fear being shamed or “crushed” by his people; “They will fight against you, but will not prevail over you.” To the people of this time and culture, personal shame and embarrassment were worse than death itself, but God prevails upon Jeremiah and showers His love upon him resulting in Jeremiah being God’s prophet for nearly forty years.
The Responsorial Psalm (71:1 – 6, 15 – 17) continues the same theme, praying to be saved from shame and embarrassment. It could have been written or composed by Jeremiah, but the last line seems to say that the psalmist knew better and that God’s infinite love melted his heart and he ends with, “…from my youth …till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.”
The Second Reading is taken from St. Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians (12:31 – 13:13). This is Paul’s greatest oration or lesson on Love. Its message is: Regardless of what we say or do, for whom or to whom, if we do not do it with love, it is meaningless. We can be the greatest teacher, evangelist or prophet, but it is love that makes it come alive and from the heart of God.
The Gospel Reading is from Luke (4:21 – 30). This passage is a continuation of the Gospel reading for today’s Mass where Jesus is preaching in the synagogue in Nazareth and the townspeople are pleased with what He was saying until He got to a point where they began to question, in the their minds, where He got all this information and then discount what He was saying because He was just one of them and ‘nothing more.’ Jesus then challenges them and compares them with the pagan people of Sidon and Syria who, Jesus says, had more faith in Him then the local people. They became indignant and demanded signs and wonders and even tried to kill Him, but His love prevailed and He eluded their threats.
Let us stop to think about these readings and ask ourselves; “When God asks us for something, do we put up excuses?” When we are faced with a question about our faith or beliefs, do we become embarrassed to answer and become indignant? At such times we should call upon the never ending love that God holds out to each of us and respond with kindness that might be ‘sharper than a two-edge sword .’ How could anyone refuse Our Lord and Our God and yet we often do. Something to think about during your Prayer Time this week!
If you have questions or comments regarding the above, please send them, in writing, to the Parish Office. We will try to respond as quickly as possible.
- MFB