Many commentators call Jesus’ words in our Gospel reading this weekend as Jesus’ Inaugural Address. Jesus’ proclamation in Nazareth is the mission statement that provides the key to understanding His mission as the Messiah.  This is much like the speech of a president, whether he is a Democrat or a Republican, on his inauguration and first day in office.

The Gospel passage was Jesus’ first sermon before his public ministry. Shortly after His baptism and forty days in the desert, Jesus heads back home to Nazareth. He stopped in the synagogue, as He always did when He was a child, during the Sabbath for service. People would listen to a sequence of readings from the prophets and the Torah or the Law.  Jesus stood up during the service and was offered a scroll from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. Jesus read it aloud, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.” He applied the first person to Himself.   It implied that He was a prophetic Messiah. The Isaiah passage regards Jesus as sent to bring glad tidings and to proclaim the good news to the poor and the oppressed. He concluded, “Today, the Scripture passage was fulfilled in your hearing.”

People listening to Him were amazed at how He spoke.  However, Jesus’ statement did not go well with them because the long-awaited fulfillment would also include God blessing the Gentiles.  To question the validity of His teachings, they also asked, Is that the son of Joseph the carpenter?  Who would believe Him? He is just one of us.

Jesus’ neighbors rejected Him. Jesus replied that a prophet is not without honor except in His native place and house.  This sequence of events might have happened as a sign that Jesus is called to extend His mission beyond His country, that is to all peoples. 

The reading of Luke provides the last part of the so-called prophetic pattern. It highlights people’s rejection of Jesus and His ministry.  This scenario also foreshadowed a future event. The Jews would later reject the Gospel. Simeon, the holy man in the Temple, also foretold a division in the land of Israel. Some would accept Jesus, while others would not.

Pastoral Application

Because of familiarity, Jesus’ townmates did not give Jesus the utmost respect that was due to him. They did not have confidence on Him and His message.

Today’s feast of the presentation of our Lord calls for reflection. We should look at our lives with a fresh eye. We need a different perspective.  We must be cautious of our human tendencies. It is easy for us to become familiar with things, people, places, and the many blessings we receive. Because of their familiarity in our lives, we often appreciate them less.

Let us look around us. Many people in various parts of the world strive to have what they own. This includes the things we own, the people around us, and the opportunities available. They yearn for freedom and opportunities. They desire a relatively peaceful society. They want churches and places of worship. They seek the chance to live with the ability to travel. Yet, sometimes, we complain a lot. We look for more. We do not take advantage of the many opportunities to improve our lives. This includes improving our relationship with God.

Our church is accessible to us. We can pray and visit the Blessed Sacrament. We can easily go to Church on Sundays. This accessibility and freedom are what many of our Christian brothers and sisters long for. Some still cross rivers and walk a long distance to come for Mass. Some still offer and risk their lives to defend their faith.

Let us not allow familiarity to breed contempt.  When we allow it to happen, the message is not received. We become unwilling to work for to experience God’s presence in our midst. 

This attitude will also allow us to be sensitive to the needs of others. It is only when we appreciate what we have that we are ready to share lovingly what we have so that others will also experience hope, peace, and the love of God.  Remember that Jesus came to bring good news to the whole world. We should allow that message to shine in the lives of others, especially the least fortunate. Let us embrace our familiarity with God’s message and proclaim it in words and action.

Today, let us have a new perspective on our lives and the many opportunities surrounding us.  Let us count those blessings God has given us and treasure them. Above all, let us accept Jesus’ message of Good News and accept Him as our kind and loving Messiah.