4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 / Luke 4:21-30
The Gospel in today’s Mass has the same setting as last Sunday. Jesus is in the synagogue of his native town, Nazareth. Those who were listening to Him considered themselves stalwarts of the Faith, after all they were the ‘chosen people’, the people of Israel. These people obeyed the laws as had their ancestors. They would not be found wanting in observation of all the rituals and traditions of Judaism. They were conformists first and foremost!
At first, it seems, that they were pleased to listen to their native son who had made a name for himself by his preaching and the miracles associated with him. When he read from the prophet, Isaiah you can almost imagine them nodding with approval. He then proclaims that this prophesy is being fulfilled as he reads it to them. This is a step too far!! The local begrudger speaks up; ‘Who does he think he is? Isn’t he merely the son of our neighbour, Joseph?’
They could have given him credit for the signs and wonders, for the quotes from the prophets and for the benefits to them, the chosen ones. But to bring Good News to the poor, to the disadvantaged and disabled? This was too much to accept because these types did not deserve it. And then when Jesus seems to identify himself with their Prophets of Old, Elijah and Elisha they had had enough!
When Saint Paul was writing to the Church of Corinth he had to address a similar attitude. The Christians of Corinth saw that they had a variety of gifts and talents and Paul was pleased by that.
He only complains that this led them to squabbling and rivalry because they did not recognise the reasons for which they were given these talents. We are given gifts and talents by the Lord so that we can serve the community. All our gifts must be exercised in Love and for Love.
When we think about this incident in the Gospel story and hear about the undertones in the Christian community at Corinth, can it strike an uncomfortable feeling for us in our church communities? Don’t we often have elements of doubt, cynicism, begrudgery, jealousy and hardness of heart?
Jesus slipped through the unruly crowd without causing a scene leaving the echo of ‘This text is being fulfilled even as you listen’ ringing in their ears. As it rings in our ears we pray that we will never be mere conformists but that our Faith would be trusting, open, gentle and loving.
The people of Nazareth found that Jesus was too human for them. If critics today wish to find fault with the Church they won’t have to look too far. Aren’t we all glad that it is such a frail, human community? Because as such, there is room for us in it.