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Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C

Friends, today we are celebrating the fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C. We are invited today to explore key themes such as the centrality of love, the challenge of accepting prophets, and the importance of standing firm in our faith. The readings of today provide valuable lessons for our daily lives. They encourage us to reflect on how we express love, respond to challenges, and perceive others. Brothers and sisters, the church reminds us that we are privileged to be called by God to be his prophets. Through our baptism as Christians, God called each one of us to take His word and proclaim it to the world. However, we cannot succeed in this call without love for God, his Word, and his people Lord, help us to love others with patience and kindness. Give us the strength to stand firm in our faith, even when we face challenges. Open our hearts to see the value in others and embrace your message with open minds.

Friends, the focus of today’s first reading is principally on a call to action and to proclaim the good news to all nations. This call is both an authoritative and a privilege God gave us. This mission is very important to God. Hence, He warns us; “do not be afraid.” On the other hand, He promises to provide the strength and protection we require to accomplish our call, “I for my part today will make you into a fortified city, a pillar of iron, and a wall of bronze to confront all these lands.” Brothers and sisters, these show that the call to this prophetic ministry is not solely our business. Instead, it is a collaborative ministry between God and us. We make ourselves available while God provides strength and protection. He is the owner of the message and the mission. He will also provide all that it takes to succeed in his mission.

Friends, one important point to note in this reading is that God did not call us by accident. Instead, He reflected on it very well before calling us. He knew each one of us personally and still knows us now very well. He knows what he wants us to do for him. He calls us by our names and reminds us; “before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth, I consecrated you; I have appointed you as the prophet of the nations.” This means that we are not strangers to God and His call. He knows us personally.

Friends, in our second reading today, Paul reminds us that the driving force for this prophetic mission must be the following cardinal virtues; Love, Faith, and Hope. Faith in God sustains us in our prophetic ministry despite the obstacles we encounter. Hope for a bright future motivates us to remain focused and believe that our efforts will not be vain. A prophet or Christian who has these cardinal virtues will succeed in his ministry. Brothers and sisters, “Love and do whatever you want to do.” This simply means that love is the greatest and most important of these virtues. If love is not at the base of our mission, all our efforts might be in vain. A prophet who lacks love for God, the good news, and the people he called to prophesy is a clashing cymbal. Love must motivate us to follow God’s initiative to be his prophets for the salvation of all nations and people.

Friends, in today’s gospel, Christ demonstrated great love for his people. Therefore, “He won the approval of all, and they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips.” Without these gracious words motivated by love for the salvation of the people, all his efforts would have been in vain. Life is not always easy for a true prophet. He faced persecution and rejection and was eventually crucified. Despite all these, Christ did not relent. Instead, he continued to cherish God’s call. Like Christ, we must remain faithful to God who called us. We are privileged to be called by God to be his prophets. We must do this both through the words of our mouths and our actions. It is essential to know that a prophet or missionary without commitment to the good news is simply a tourist.

Friends, we see the people of Nazareth surprised by Jesus. They thought they knew him well. He grew up in their town, and they knew his family. But now, they find it hard to accept him as a prophet and a messenger of God. This reminds us how our preconceived notions can blind us to the true value and potential in others. Jesus challenges the people to open their hearts and minds. He wants them to see the generous love of God that is for all people, not just a select few. However, instead of welcoming this message, they react with anger. They even try to throw Jesus off a cliff. This harsh reaction shows how difficult it can be to accept new and challenging ideas, especially when they come from unexpected sources. Brothers and sisters, the rejection Jesus faces in Nazareth serves as a reminder that he understands our own experiences of being rejected or misunderstood. When we face rejection, we can turn to Jesus, knowing he has felt the same pain. This connection can bring comfort and strength to us in difficult times.

Friends, the readings of today encourage us to look beyond our own biases and judgments. Just as the people of Nazareth struggled to see Jesus as more than just a local boy, we too can miss seeing others as valuable instruments of God’s work. Let us open our hearts to see the good in others, and to reach out to those who are marginalized or rejected. This is a call to embrace the love and acceptance that Jesus offers to all. Today, readings also remind us to be compassionate toward others who may also feel isolated because of their beliefs. By standing firm in our faith and supporting one another, we can find strength and comfort, knowing that God is with us, just as He was with Jeremiah and Jesus. Therefore, with the psalmist, let us proclaim; “My lips will tell of your justice, and I will proclaim your wonders.” The Lord be with you …. May the almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Have a Blessed Sunday and a Fruitful New Month of February to You

Pray With Us Online Rosary Every Monday @ 8pm.

Remember we are pilgrims of Hope!

By: Fr. Ben Chola mccj

Aka Omuntu Wa Bantu

 

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