The Gospel this Sunday (Luke 4:21-30) is about the rejection of Jesus. Luke placed this event at the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. If you leaf over some pages of Luke's Gospel, you will notice that the first disciples had yet to be called at this time. You will therefore suspect that the disciples must have heard from others about this rejection, not having witnessed it personally. Because of the seeming importance of this event -- having been placed right after Jesus had stated His mission (4:18-19) -- the disciples might have even heard it directly from Jesus Himself.

          Anyway, what did the disciples learn from the rejection of Jesus at His own hometown?

          As you read the Gospel to your family, request them to imagine being among the first disciples to whom Jesus Himself is relating this Gospel.

          Jesus begins the Gospel: "Today these prophetic words come true even as you listen" (4:21). The "prophetic words" are in 4:18-19. Please read it first to your family. Jesus qualified the people to whom He is to bring the Good News. And we are those people. We are the "poor," the "captives," the "blind," and the "oppressed." You may want to discuss with your family why we are "poor", "captive", "blind", and "oppressed". Consider these points: The "poor" are dependent only on God and must accept their dependence on God. The "captives" have their limitations in life and are bound by their own ignorance and bad habits. The "blind" fail to see the truth. The "oppressed" are hopeless by themselves against stronger forces.

          The people of Nazareth rejected Jesus and remained the "poor", the "captives", the "blind", and the "oppressed". Yes, they were impressed by the "prophetic words", but they did not believe in the person of Jesus as they saw Him as merely a carpenter's son. Was it pride in them that they could not accept a carpenter's son to be favored by God? "Why him, not me?" They could have asked.

          Jesus would later speak to the people in parables so that they may look and see, that they may listen and hear and understand; then, they may turn to God and be healed. They must learn this process to develop and have faith in Him. They could have but they did not. Could we?

          The "prophetic words" taught by Jesus are timeless, as they come true TODAY, as we listen to Him NOW.

Prayer and Reflection ~

• Request the family to spend time in silent reflection on the teachings of Jesus.


• Jesus lived among the people of Nazareth. The closeness produced nothing but a prejudice against Jesus and they failed to recognize Him and accept Him.


• Am I one of them?

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