You are my hope ~ A Reflection on the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

This Sunday begins our celebration of Black History Month.  During these Sundays, our choir will incorporate several old spirituals into the Masses of the month.  We have also invited parishioners to talk about their experiences of being Black and Catholic, as well as several  homilists, including our own Sr. Cora Marie Billings and Deacon Frank Nelson from Holy Rosary Catholic Church..

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Jer 1:4-5, 17-19

Ps 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15, 17

1 Cor 12:31-13:13

Lk 4:21-30

In today's Gospel, we again hear Luke continue with his account of Jesus in the synagogue teaching.  Jesus has just finished proclaiming the Isaiah reading that we have recently heard and he has told his listeners that the scripture has now been fulfilled in their hearing.

At first, the people were amazed at his words and were very complimentary, speaking highly of him.  But presently, they began to doubt when they remembered that Jesus was only the son of Joseph.  How could he be anything more?  Why was he acting like a prophet?  They became filled with anger and decided to do away with him.

Jesus knew their thoughts and the dangerous position he was in and was able to walk away without being harmed.  His time had not yet come.

In the first reading, Jeremiah reminds us how the Lord protects his people.  "They will fight against you but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord."  And so it was that Jesus was not harmed.

Even the psalmist knew the Lord as a protector.  He asks God to protect and rescue him.  The writer takes refuge in the Lord because he has trusted God from his youth.

Paul, in his First Letter to the Corinthians, tells us about love and how we can recognize it.  He also teaches us how to see where our actions tell a different story.  There is no love where there is pride, boasting, jealousy, brooding over injury, wrongdoing and selfishness.  Our God wishes us to love him above all.  If we do that, we cannot help to love ourselves and our neighbor.

It isn't always easy to follow this command, but we ask for forgiveness and try again, because we know that God's love will NEVER fail!


 ~ Image: God's Love Never Fails found on Tumblr.