Monday of the Third Week
The Gospel reading for today starts with Jesus’ famous statement that “no prophet is accepted in his own native place,” suggesting that the listeners in His own synagogue in Nazareth were not fully hearing what He had to tell them. He explains that in an earlier time of fam- ine when the widows of Israel were in great need they were not helped, yet in other lands, widows were helped. “When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were filled with fury. They rose up, and drove Him out of the town.”
Was Jesus giving the people of His synagogue the message that people of all nationalities can be saved with the loving grace of God? Jesus is the one of universal welcome, open to all, regardless of their tradi- tions and where they come from, but the message angered His listen- ers who may have become smug in their confidence that they alone received the full grace of God. For this they wished to hurt Him. As will happen to Him many times in His life, Jesus was rejected for His message.
How often do we face criticism by the people who know us the best, and how do we accept such lack of appreciation? How often do we feel a little smug or self-righteous about our own religious group while disparaging the religions of other?
Lord, please help me to dispel my false beliefs of others who are not like me. Help me to keep an open heart to all those who are not part of my own group, my own community, my own traditions, or my own nation.
Vince Bolduc, Emeritus Professor of Sociology
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