Prayer Prompt before reading LK 4:16-30: Come, Holy Spirit, teach me how to pray, interpret the Scriptures for me so that I may know the Truth about who God the Father is and God the Son so that I may know who I am.
“TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE PASSAGE IS FULFILLED IN YOUR HEARING.” LK 4:16-30
“Jesus Christ is not another prophet among many,” says Bishop Barron. He is the Messiah. “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” Isaiah was prophesying about the Messiah in which Jesus read in the synagogue that day. This is one of many prophesies that Jesus the God Man fulfills (around 100, some Scripture Scholars claim more).
His mission, to save us through a covenant of His blood to the Father. His mission, show us God’s love for His children through this sacrifice and by sending the Holy Spirit down upon us. His mission, be a model of holiness for us to follow. He was not accepted in his hometown, no prophet was.
Joseph, a poor carpenter, certainly could not raise the Messiah in his own home. How do you and I judge people? By status, wealth, accomplishments, how much we loved will be the only key to enter the Kingdom of heaven on judgment day. I have a lot of work to do!
Mary, a simple woman who said yes to God (Fiat), could not possibly raise the Messiah. Once again, the Jews of Nazareth are thinking in human ways instead of God’s ways. God can do what He wants with whomever He wants if they are open to His call, His grace, His love, His mercy.
We may not be called to be the Messiah, but through God’s mercy we exist and have a role to play in the Church today. We, too, are called to holiness in this place and in this time according to God’s plan. We are called to imitate this God Man.
God’s call requires trust, humility, and an open-mind. His call does not require us to be rich or poor, healthy or sick, or a certain ethnicity. We do not have to be a certain height, weight, or pretty. We do not have to have certain qualifications or a specific job. We do not need to have a certain social status or be popular.
In our hearts, we just need to believe in God, trust in Him, and give our “Yes” to Him like Mary and Joseph everyday. He will do the rest. Simple, but not easy. God’s grace can do anything with a human will that desires holiness by seeking God’s will out in their lives and surrendering.
Today’s challenge: Start thinking in God’s ways instead of human ways. Recognize that God has called you to be holy in this time and in this place to change the world. How much? It depends on what God’s call is for you and how much you are willing to give up of yourself so God can fill you up with Him. It’s not about how much we accomplish here, it is about how much we love in each little act we do each day.
Be a servant, be a saint today!
#Christian YODO (You Only Die Once; we will live again!)
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