February 13, 2010
February 6, 2010
Commentary
5th Sunday - C
Luke 5:1-11
Brought to Our Knees
Every human being can relate to Peter's experience, "We have worked hard all night and have caught nothing." Failures, mistakes, shortcomings, disappointments, and sins are parts of our human reality.
And we also know that it's never easy to accept our failures, mistakes, shortcomings, disappointments, and sins.
Peter was no stranger to that. Besides, he knows his trade, "We have worked hard all night." It must have been hard for him to admit his failure at something he knows best.
Yet, not until he acknowledges his failures can he comes to know his true self - a sinner. The humble awareness of his sins and failures brings him to his knees.
The consoling factor is the generosity of our God. Peter, knowing his sinfulness and on his knees, asks the Lord to "depart" from him. It is only then that he hears, not rejection, but the affirmation, "Do not be afraid."
Then, comes the invitation for Peter to follow Jesus as his disciple.
Luke 5:1-11
Brought to Our Knees
Every human being can relate to Peter's experience, "We have worked hard all night and have caught nothing." Failures, mistakes, shortcomings, disappointments, and sins are parts of our human reality.
And we also know that it's never easy to accept our failures, mistakes, shortcomings, disappointments, and sins.
Peter was no stranger to that. Besides, he knows his trade, "We have worked hard all night." It must have been hard for him to admit his failure at something he knows best.
Yet, not until he acknowledges his failures can he comes to know his true self - a sinner. The humble awareness of his sins and failures brings him to his knees.
The consoling factor is the generosity of our God. Peter, knowing his sinfulness and on his knees, asks the Lord to "depart" from him. It is only then that he hears, not rejection, but the affirmation, "Do not be afraid."
Then, comes the invitation for Peter to follow Jesus as his disciple.
February 2, 2010
January 30, 2010
Commentary
4th Sunday - C
Luke 4:21-30
Human Expectations and Demands
In the beginning of the Gospel passage, the people of Nazareth are thrilled with Jesus' words. St. Luke reports, "All spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth." (4:22)
But they want action, and they want it their way. So they demand, "Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum." (4:23)
And that marks the beginning of the downfall of the people of Nazareth. Because of their expectations and demands, they want Jesus to do things their way. When their expectations and demands are not met and the initial thrills are over, they can no longer accept Jesus' words. They even want to kill him.
Because of their attitude, "Jesus will never again return to Nazareth." In fact, he moves to Capernaum. There, and elsewhere, he'll performs miracles, but never in Nazareth. [1]
---------------------------------
[1] Francis J Moloney, SDB. The Gospel of the Lord: Reflections on the Gospel Readings - Year C. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1994, p. 122.
Luke 4:21-30
Human Expectations and Demands
In the beginning of the Gospel passage, the people of Nazareth are thrilled with Jesus' words. St. Luke reports, "All spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth." (4:22)
But they want action, and they want it their way. So they demand, "Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum." (4:23)
And that marks the beginning of the downfall of the people of Nazareth. Because of their expectations and demands, they want Jesus to do things their way. When their expectations and demands are not met and the initial thrills are over, they can no longer accept Jesus' words. They even want to kill him.
Because of their attitude, "Jesus will never again return to Nazareth." In fact, he moves to Capernaum. There, and elsewhere, he'll performs miracles, but never in Nazareth. [1]
---------------------------------
[1] Francis J Moloney, SDB. The Gospel of the Lord: Reflections on the Gospel Readings - Year C. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1994, p. 122.
January 26, 2010
January 23, 2010
Commentary
3rd Sunday - C
Luke 1:1-4;4:14-21
Today, in This Place, To This People "This Scripture Passage is Fulfilled"
Jesus returns to Nazareth, where he has grown up (1:16). And what is Nazareth? It's not that significant a town, since one of Jesus' comptemporaries later asks, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (John 1:46).
Yet, it is in Nazareth, in that humble town, Jesus proclaims the dawn of the Kingdom of God.
The message is for all people, including the residents of Nazareth. These very people do not seem to even deserve it. In fact, they reject Jesus and his message. Shortly after Jesus proclaims this message to them, St. Luke reports, "They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away" (4:29-30).
And the message of God's Kingdom is to be fulfilled today.
We, followers of Christ, children of God through baptism, are both the messengers and recipients of this message of God's Kingdom. In our lives, whoever we are, no matter where we are, God's message is fulfilled today.
Luke 1:1-4;4:14-21
Today, in This Place, To This People "This Scripture Passage is Fulfilled"
Jesus returns to Nazareth, where he has grown up (1:16). And what is Nazareth? It's not that significant a town, since one of Jesus' comptemporaries later asks, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (John 1:46).
Yet, it is in Nazareth, in that humble town, Jesus proclaims the dawn of the Kingdom of God.
The message is for all people, including the residents of Nazareth. These very people do not seem to even deserve it. In fact, they reject Jesus and his message. Shortly after Jesus proclaims this message to them, St. Luke reports, "They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away" (4:29-30).
And the message of God's Kingdom is to be fulfilled today.
We, followers of Christ, children of God through baptism, are both the messengers and recipients of this message of God's Kingdom. In our lives, whoever we are, no matter where we are, God's message is fulfilled today.
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