Reflection on Today's Readings, 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C, January 30th, 2022
Texts: Jer.1:4-5,17-19; Ps.71:1-6ab.15ab,17; 1Cor.12:31-13:13; Luke 4:21-30
Today's first reading reminds us that we are appointed as prophets for the world while the second reading shows that our prophesying is imperfect without love. The first reading shows that we are predestined to be prophets. This is clear in the first reading when God says, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Predestination is not predetermination but that God wills from eternity that we are His mouthpiece to the world. In Predestination our freedom to turn away from what we are predestined to become is not hindered. That we are predestined to be prophets, we can still choose not to be and in fact some of us have have chosen not to be. We see evil, we keep quiet over it. We do this not only because of fear but because of our affiliation with the perpetrator. We know the truth, we do not say it; some of us even try to hide it. We do this to protect our integrity or honour. I wonder if there is integrity or honour where there is no truth. We must be true to ourselves and to others to have integrity. Integrity is the result of being true. Many a time we refuse to say the truth because of personal interest.
We are in a world that is in dire need of true prophets: prophets who will confront the world with truth, who will speak against evil without deference to anyone. We need a prophet who will not hide the truth, one who will not overlook or cover evil. We need a prophet who will confront us with our sins. We need a prophet who will speak to us nothing but the word of God. We need a prophet who will show us the way to God. We need a prophet who will lead us in the way to God. Such a prophet we find in Jesus Christ. He confronted the people with truth and they wanted to kill Him. Hence, in the first reading, God says, "But you, gird up your loins; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them." Jesus Christ was not dismayed by anyone.
Being His prophets, God has assured us of His protection and guidance. He says, "And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its princes, it priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the LORD, to deliver you.” This is made true in the life of Jesus Christ. It is said in today's gospel reading thus: "When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. And they rose up and put him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw him down headlong. But passing through the midst of them he went away." The promise of protection does not mean no challenges at all but that he will strengthen us to withstand the challenges, troubles or problems. Some of us are scared away by challenges, troubles or problems. In the words, it shows that there is the tendency that we are afraid or dismayed when the challenge arises. This tendency to be afraid shows the enormity of what we stand against. We need to let go ourselves to be prophets of God. We need to test the promise by doing what he ask us to do, that is, being His mouthpiece in the world. Let us stand up and speak for God. Let us stand up and work for God.
A true prophet of God must be filled with faith, be hopeful and abound in love. St. Paul, in the second reading, says, "So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." Hope fixes our minds on the future and heaven; it nurtures in us patience and resilience. Faith helps us, as prophets of God, to be sure of what we hope for. We hope for resurrection, eternal life, beatific vision, etc. Love makes us sincere and true to God and man. Love also breeds commitment; we are often committed to what we love. St. Paul, in today's second reading, speaks of love thus: "Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
St. Paul goes further to tell us that without love prophetic power is nothing. In his words: "And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing." Prophecy without love is imperfect. As prophets of God we need to embrace love.
Grant us, Lord our God, that we may honour you with all our mind, and love everyone in truth of heart. Amen (Collect)
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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