Feb. 3rd

Post date: Feb 04, 2019 6:20:16 PM

February 3, 2019 Homily by Fr. Karl Schray

This Gospel is called the Rejection in Nazareth. In so many words, Jesus is comparing himself to the great prophets from Israel’s past and reminding people that these two prophets took their messages to outsiders. To sum it up: I’m telling you from my own authority that you’re treating me just like your ancestors treated the prophets so don’t be surprised that I can’t do any miracles here—your lack of faith is the reason.

This is not only a challenge to the crowd but the last straw for those in the synagogue that day. They were so enraged that they wanted to kill Jesus. But Jesus passed through the midst of them.

But how was he able to pass through the midst of them? Perhaps the people of Nazareth suddenly saw themselves as God saw them—people unwilling to listen to the voice of a prophet. Jesus made them look at a place in their own heart and they did not like what they saw—a people incapable of seeing the truth.

In today’s second Reading, St. Paul gives us what is acknowledged to be one of the best descriptions of love ever written. Love is a much-used word today. But what our culture call love, in its songs and films, frequently is not love at all; it is the opposite of love. It is desire and control and possessiveness and even lust.

Love is a silence; lust is a roar

Love is satisfied; lust always wants more

Love always gives; lust only takes

Love heals hearts; lust breaks

There is an essential link between faith and love. This is illustrated in a story that is told by George Herbert, an English priest, poet and amateur musician. One day on his way to a music session with some of his friends, he came upon a poor man whose horse had fallen under his load. Both man and horse were in distress and in urgent need of help.

Herbert took off his clerical robes and helped the man to unload the horse, get him on his feet and then load him up again. Then he gave the man some money to refresh himself and his horse. That done, he set out again to keep his appointment with his friends. Normally he kept himself very clean and trim. So, when he turned up with his hands dirty and his clothes soiled, his friends were very surprised. When he told them the cause of it, one of them expressed disapproval that he should have got himself involved in such dirty employment.

But he answered: “the thought of what I have done will be like music to me at midnight. The omission of it, would have caused discord in my conscience. For if I am bound to pray for all who are in distress, I am sure that I am bound so far as it is in my power to practice what I pray for.”