They took him to the top of a high cliff to throw him down

Third week of Lent: Monday

Reading: Luke 4:24-30

And he said, ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven were shut up for three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them were cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.’ When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill, on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff.  But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

Reflection

Jesus once again uses examples from the Old Testament to remind the people of Nazareth of how God intervened to support those who suffered when they did what was asked of them by the Old Testament prophets. In (1 Kings 17:22) we read of how when famine raged in the land of Israel the life of the widow of Zarephath in Sidon was spared when she was obedient and generous in sharing the little that she had with the prophet Elijah. He asked her to ‘make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.  For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’ She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So, there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

 Namaam the Syrian initially resisted the voice of Elisha when he was asked to bathe seven times in the Jordan so that his leprosy could be cured. On reflection, he obeyed, his leprosy was cured and he gave thanks for his healing. (2 Kings: 5-14)

During this Lenten season we are asked to reflect on what both these examples from the Old Testament and the life of Jesus as Messiah have to teach us.  Jesus was not a prophet but the Messiah who brought a message of good news that taught the people a new way of living; ‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.’ (John 13: 34) He challenged the people to live a covenant relationship with God and they took offence at him and at his message.  He was the local carpenter, ‘the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Judas, and Simon.’  (Mark 6:3) Why should he have been chosen by God for this special ministry; many may have felt that they were more educated, wealthier and better prepared for this special ministry; they despised him for it.  Jesus asked them to care for the sick, the poor, the lonely, the downtrodden, all who lived on the margins of society; (Matthew 25:31-46) this was not good news to those who wished to live an unholy life; he was not accepted in his own hometown and had to be removed.  Their jealousy was so great that they wished to kill him by throwing him off the brow of the hill but Jesus was undaunted; he had come to bring life in all its fullness to all people. (John 10:10) He passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

 Today many people are searching for direction in their lives and for guidance on how to grow closer to God and we are asked to help them to find this new life in the scriptures; ‘come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest.’  (Matthew 11:28) A person lived the gospel was Oscar Romero, Catholic Archbishop of El Salvador, a prophet of our age. After his own conversion he embraced the words ‘My child, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for testing. Set your heart right and be steadfast’ (Sirach 2:1) He spoke out every day against the social injustices and torture that were inflicted on the poor by the government and wealthy of El Salvador. Like Jesus, he had to be silenced, he was assassinated while offering Mass in a hospital chapel in El Salvador on the 24th March1980.  Jesus reminds us that if we are to serve him, we will face many trials and tribulations; We are asked to ‘Trust him, and he will help you; make your ways straight, and hope in him.’ (Sirach 2:6) During this Lenten season, we are asked to pray for the grace to be faithful to our call to share the gospel with all people ‘that with the eyes of your mind enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints.’  (Ephesians 1:18)

 Do you believe that the spirit of God moves where it wills; (John 3:8) and that he chooses those whom He wishes to share in special gospel ministries so that more people may come to know him more deeply.

Is he calling you to serve him more deeply and are you willing to participate in sacred ministry.

Are you willing to lay down your life for the Gospel knowing that it could cost you your life.

Do you ask each day for the grace to lay down your life for others each day in the nitty gritty of daily service.

Do you believe that Jesus for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.’ (Hebrews 12:2) Prayer

Lord, I ask for the grace to be a faithful witness to you.

May the joy of the gospel so fill my heart

that I may share your word with your people.

Cleanse my heart of fear,

may I be unafraid to speak your words to all

who are crying out for new life;

Through the power of the Holy Spirit,

may many come to know your great love,

Each new day.

I ask this, in the power of your name,

 O most holy God, Amen.