GOSPEL OF LUKE

INTRODUCTION

Having finished my reflections on the Gospel of Matthew and Gospel of Mark I begin today with the Gospel of Luke to be completed in 2021. Since the Gospel of Luke is the only Gospel to cover the birth of Jesus Ithought it appropriate to begin this third week of Advent.

St. Luke’s Gospel provides the longest and most complete account of the advent and earthly life of the Messiah from  the Annunciation, birth and early childhood of Jesus, to His ministry to the lost sheep of Israel, and finally with the climax of His Gospel in Jesus’ victorious death, glorious Resurrection and heavenly Ascension.

In Christian art each of the evangelists has a particular symbol and St Luke’s is an ox (or a calf).  This symbolism has its origins in two biblical texts.  In Ezekiel 1:4-11 the prophet has a vision of four living creatures which are in human form, but with wings. Their faces have four aspects, a man on the front, a lion on the right, an ox on the left, and an eagle on the back.

This symbolism appears also the Book of Revelation where four winged creatures surround Christ on his throne Revelation 4:6-8.  St Jerome (c.347 -420 AD) assigned the ox to St Luke and the man to St Matthew, the lion to St Mark and the eagle to St John.

The choice of the ox for Luke is thought to relate to the sacrifices offered in the Temple.  St Luke’s Gospel begins and ends in the Temple.  It may be that the symbolism of the ox draws on the link between the Temple sacrifices and Jesus’ once and for all sacrifice on the cross.

 EXAMPLES OF TEMPLE PASSAGES IN GOSPEL OF LUKE

Zechariah is told in temple by angel Gabriel that Elizabeth who is barren will bear a child

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

Jesus lost in the Temple

The cleansing of the Temple Ch.19

Jesus observes the poor widow’s contribution to Temple treasury Ch. 21

The destruction of the temple foretold Ch. 21

Jesus teaching in the temple area Ch. 21

At Jesus’ death the temple veil was torn in two Ch. 23

JESUS TEACHES

AS HE WALKS ALONG SOLOMAN’S PORTICO

SCRIPTURE

 LUKE 1:26-38

Announcement of the Birth of Jesus.

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.”

But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.

 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived^* a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”^r Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

HAIL MARY FULL OF GRACE

 REFLECTION

Angel Gabriel’s greeting to Mary, full of grace, reminds us of Mary’s Immaculate Conception, preserved from Original Sin through the anticipated merits of her Son, Jesus Christ, Son of God.  Oh how Mary must have pondered those words…what does it mean….how am I special in God’s favor…a mystery like so many others….God is God….and we mere human beings,,,.many mysteries to ponder.

The Angel goes on and tells her more things that make no sense to Mary or us in a human sense.  She a virgin, a perpetual virgin, will bear a son, name this son Jesus, Savior, who will take the throne of David and his kingdom will have no end. Mary may have been betrothed to Joseph but he as well as Mary agreed on a life of virginity.   We can only imagine the depth Mary took these mysteries.  But her trust in God allowed her to say yes even if she didn’t understand every detail.  What about us?

It is no wonder Mary asked, “How can this be.” Do we wonder how something can be?  Do we ever look in hindsight at something we perceived as negative and now see God’s hand and Divine Providence in those moments nudging us, into corrective paths.?   God loves me even in my suffering and in my mistakes. Lead on, Heavenly Father!

There’s a nice human touch of Angel Gabriel in conclusion of this passage.  Just to emphasize that anything is possible with God, Angel Gabriel tells Mary her elderly cousin who was barren is now with child.  God knows how hard it is for a human being to get something but He never gives up.  Do we?

Listen for that small whisper that Elijah heard outside the cave. “After the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle whisper”. I KINGS 19:12

 SCRIPTURE

 LUKE 1:39-47

 Mary Visits Elizabeth.

During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said,

“Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord^* should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

MARY VISITS COUSIN ELIZABETH

 REFLECTION

Mary though pregnant with Jesus didn’t hang out with her girlfriends to gossip about the wonderful thing that has happened to her but immediately heads out to help out her elder cousin who is also with child. There was to be no competition between pregnant Mary and her pregnant cousin. Elizabeth herself recognized the very special visitation of her Lord, her infant leapt in her womb in joyful anticipation, a Savior will soon be born.

Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cries out, how blessed she is by the presence of her Lord in the womb of Mary.  I am always delighted and impressed how often in Scripture someone recognizes God by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  Soon we will read about Simeon in the presentation in the temple, filled with the Holy Spirit who takes Jesus up in his arms and declares Jesus the consolation of Israel, the promised Messiah.

Do we call on the Holy Spirit often enough to see and hear God in our lives?  Elizabeth says to Mary, “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”  Elizabeth affirms Mary is the Mother of the Messiah and confirms for us that if we believe we too will be blessed. Let’s do it when God speaks to us let’s believe him and obey His holy will!

 SCRIPTURE

 LUKE 1:46-55

 The canticle of Mary

 And Mary said to Elizabeth: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.

 He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers,  to Abraham and to his descendants forever.

MY SOUL PROCLAIMS THE GLORY OF GOD

REFLECTION

“For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness” God loves all of us and speaks to all of us.  It doesn’t matter our position in society or our education or our wealth.  God chooses His instruments in this world to bring others to Him and be saved.

“Behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” Here Mary recognizes she is called blessed not for anything she has done but for what God has done in her.  Do we count our daily blessings and thank God?

“His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.” In Mary’s words she reminds us of God’s mercy.  In Exodus 34:6 God passes before Moses, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”  God is merciful and just!

God’s justice and mercy can be seen throughout Scripture.  Our first glimpse is in Genesis.  Adam and Eve disobeyed God…an infinite offense.  They were punished in justice.  In mercy, God promised a Savior.  What was lost in Garden of Eden was redeemed in Garden of Gethsemane.

LUKE 2:22-38

The Presentation in the Temple.

 When the days were completed for their purification^* according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel,^* and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation,  which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

NOW LORD YOU MAY LET YOUR SERVANT GO I HAVE SEEN YOUR SALVATION

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

REFLECTION

The first thing I am reminded of is that Mary and Joseph are faithful Jews who follow God’s law given to Moses.  They are righteous in right order with God.  How about us?  Are we conformed to the image of God that we were created.  Do we follow the teachings of Jesus and His Church?

Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, Holy Spirit was upon him and Holy Spirit revealed the consolation of Israel, According to the Jewish people the consolation and the Messiah are one and the same.

“Comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for” Isaiah 40:1-2

Now that Simeon has seen the consolation, the Messiah, he tells God that He can let him go now in peace.  Salvation has come not only to Israel but to all nations.  Are we ready to accept our Savior and let other stuff go?   Can we be satisfied living in His embrace?  We are saved!  Let’s accept it!  Let’s act like it!  Is there anything we need more than Jesus in this life?  If He is not sufficient, why not?

Maybe it is because we are not as strong in our faith like Mary and Joseph. Maybe we can’t take the suffering in self-denial that may come with the commitment.

Simeon told Mary that her son will be destined for the rise and fall of many.  Will we rise with Jesus or fall into sin.  Mary’s heart will be pierced by the passion and death of her Son that we may be redeemed.  Can we accept the cross as well as the resurrection?

Can we place ourselves in the temple as a witness to this prophecy?  What would my reaction be? There was one you know, Anna, a widow, who spent day and night in the temple praying.

How is our praying coming along?  Anna’s prayer life readied her to recognize the Messiah, the one who redeems us. She then bore witness to everyone what she experienced.  Are we witnesses to the Good News?  A Savior has been born, ‘go tell it on the mountain

LUKE 2:41-52

The Boy Jesus in the Temple.

Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.

Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.

THE BOY JESUS TEACHES IN THE TEMPLE

When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”^* But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced [in] wisdom and age and favor before God and man.

SON WHY HAVE YOU DONE THIS TO US I MUST BE IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE

REFLECTION

How could Mary and Joseph lose Jesus the Son of God?  Well, I guess I could ask that question of so many today too. Fortunately, for Mary and Joseph, they found Jesus but let us pray for those who have either given up searching or have never searched for Jesus? Jesus is there for the asking.  Ask and it will be given, seek and you shall find.

Where was this wayward child anyway? At the candy store, playing on a swing somewhere, hugging some stray animal?  No, he was in his Father’s house.  That is a pretty safe place to be.  How about us how much time do we spend in our Father’s house in prayer?

Back to the boy Jesus teaching in the temple.  The religious teachers were astounded at his knowledge and wisdom regarding scripture.  How about us?  Do we read the Bible regularly? Do we ever attend a Bible study program or watch one on the internet?

I am reminded of the story after the Resurrection on the Road to Emmaus as Jesus walked along with two disciples.”  “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!…And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. “Luke 25:25

How I wish I had been there to hear the whole story from Jesus’ lips. The next best thing is reading the inspired writers of the bible.  God is the author after all.

After three days, Mary and Joseph find Jesus, they express their anxiety as any set of parents would.  They were not looking to punish but just understanding how this could happen, after all Jesus was a very good child. Jesus answers them, why were you looking for me (they were looking three days) didn’t you know I must be in my Father’s house?

The anxiety is gone but now Mary and Joseph are perplexed.  They are now reminded this child is not just any ordinary child but the Son of God, the Father.  They put that on hold for a while and all travel back home to Nazareth where Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man in the home of Mary and Joseph.

A child lives what he experiences….Be very careful, children are listening and watching!   Do we as a family pray together, worship together, and teach the little ones stories of Jesus?  Let us pray for our family and families of this world that they too may imitate Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in love and generosity.  Amen

 

SCRIPTURE

LUKE 3:2-18

The Preaching of John the Baptist.

                                                                                                                              During the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,^* the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. He went throughout [the] whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  As it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:

A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.

Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, all shall see the salvation of God.”

John said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruits as evidence of your repentance; and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?”

He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two tunics should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?”  He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.  ”Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”

Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah.  John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan^* is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.

REFLECTION

John’s baptism did not remove sin like our sacramental Baptism but it was a way for people to express their sorrow for their sins and fall on God’s mercy.  John’s call to “Prepare the way of the Lord” is a clarion call to all of us.

In order to receive Jesus into our hearts we must repent of our sins, detach ourselves from those things that prevent Jesus’ full entry into our hearts.

I am struck how John the Baptist called out those hypocrites that were coming for a get out of jail card but were not interested in changing their lifestyle. John told them first produce some good fruit.  Do we produce good fruit in our family?…in our parish?….in our work place?

John the Baptist warns the crowd, “Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire”

he Crowd then asks John what they must do.  John foreshadows The Judgment of Nations discourse Matthew 25 by giving examples of loving your neighbor and treating them with mercy and generosity.  Can we love that neighbor we can’t we really stand?  Praying for someone we consider our enemy can help.

The crowd begin to wonder if John is the Messiah.  No, John is not the Messiah but the Messiah  is coming soon.  The Messiah will come and separate the wheat from the chaff. At the Last Judgment He will, “gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. Are we ready for Jesus coming in this life and the next?

SCRIPTURE

LUKE 3: 21-22

The Baptism of Jesus.

 After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying,^* heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

REFLECTIONS

John the Baptist proclaims a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins….John’s baptism does not forgive sins but prepares the hearts of people to acknowledge their need for repentance  and readies them for God’s mercy that the Savior promises. .Jesus is that Savior that John the Baptist points to Behold the Lamb of God!

Jesus is that sacrificial lamb who will sacrifice himself for us that our sins may be forgiven. In the water of the Jordan, Jesus takes on the sins of the world… sin has no more dominion over mankind…Jesus became sin that we might become righteous. 2 Corinthians 5:21

The Spirit of God descended like a dove in blessing and affirmation…The Father affirms the Son’s mission…”This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased…Here is your Savior!

Our sacramental Baptism is a cleansing of our sins, and infusion of sanctifying grace making us adopted sons and daughters of Our Father and heirs to heaven. All Christians are commissioned through their baptism to be other “Christs” in this world.  God calls us to conform to Christ and reject Satan and all his works and empty promises.

Not only are we washed in the waters of Baptism, we are anointed with the sacred chrism oil to be a holy priesthood. 1Peter 2:5. At the anointing of sacred chrism oil, the priest or deacon says these words, “ “As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing everlasting life.”

As the common priesthood of the laity we offer sacrifices, at Mass and in our personal life for others.  As prophet we bear witness in words and actions to Jesus being the Way the Truth and the Life. And as king we serve others especially those most in need.  We live “in this world but not of it.” We spread light in the dark spots by breathing in those nooks and crannies the spirit of love and mercy of Jesus Christ!

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCRIPTURE

 LUKE 4:1-9

 the temptation of Jesus

JESUS IS TEMPTED BY SATAN IN THE DESERT

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread. Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.

Then the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and their glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.

^*Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you and: with their hands they will support you lest you dash your foot against a stone. Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.’”When the devil had finished every temptation,  he departed from him for a time.

 REFLECTIONS

Jesus prepares for his public ministry in prayer and fasting.  What preparations do we make to be faithful followers of Jesus and spread the Gospel?

While in the desert preparing, the accuser, that is what the name Satan means, comes to tempt Jesus.  So we should not be surprised even in our good works and prayer time if temptations come. Temptations are not sins.  Jesus does not sin.

Jesus wards off the tempter by quoting Scripture.  Do we have mantras from Scripture that can ward off temptation? “Here I am Lord, I come to do your will.” “Not my will but thy will be done!

 I find it interesting that this Scripture passage begins with Jesus being led into the desert by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by the devil. What is that about?  Well besides being Divine, Jesus had human nature as well and it was in that human nature he would suffer his passion and death.  So he needed some toughening up so to speak.  God never tempts us to sin. He allows us to be tempted but never beyond our ability to resist.

The temptations Jesus faced are no different than our own, temptations of the flesh, Jesus was hungry after 40 days of fasting, famished, Temptations for worldly power.  Some do sell their souls to the devil for power.  Be careful dealing with the devil, you may join him for all eternity.

Finally the devil appeals to fame and fortune, the spectacular. Jesus should throw himself off the roof of the temple and everyone would see this Messiah flying down to greet them. It would have been an amazing spectacle. People would have immediately worshiped Him as their King. Jesus came to earth to serve not be served!

When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time. This last line of today’s passage at least suggests there may have been other temptations not recorded here.  The devil does not give up easily as witnessed in latest Church scandals.

If Satan can discredit Jesus’ Church, people will discredit/dismiss Jesus our Savior. All the way back in the early 70s Pope Paul VI said that the “smoke of Satan has entered through a crack into the Church.” Pray for Priests! Pray for each other! Satan may be a stumbling rock in the road, but let Jesus take your hand and lead you on your way!

I will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God. Zechariah 13:8–9

SCRIPTURE

LUKE 4:17-30

JESUS READS FROM THE SCROLL OF ISAIAH

The Rejection at Nazareth

 He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?”

He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’ And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.

Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon.

Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.

When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

REFLECTIONS

Jesus is in his hometown of Nazareth.  He has been away for quite some time.  Perhaps you have gone back to your hometown after several years.  Do the people who recognize want to know about you now or only talk about is their memories when you were much different?

Jesus is asked to read from Scripture in the Synagogue. Jesus did not select the reading but was handed it by whoever was presiding. Do you think it was an accident that the selection was from Isaiah describing the Messiah?  Of course you don’t.  The Father has given Jesus another opportunity to reveal His true identity, and in His own home town.

As strong as the words of the Father, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” Matthew 3:17 are Jesus words here. “Today this Scripture is fulfilled.”

At first the listeners were amazed at his gracious words then doubt set in, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” Jesus may be from a humble town, not revered by many, but has now confirmed He is long awaited Messiah, King of Israel.

As God, Jesus could see into their hearts, their doubts, their need for proof so He addresses them, you want me to do what I have done in Capernaum. No miracles will be worked here.  Faith is lacking.  To support this position Jesus quotes Scripture stories again of how Elijah attended to a widow outside Israel I Kings 17:8 and Elisha only cured a leper outside of Israel. Luke 4:27

Those in the synagogue got very angry.  I guess they got the message they were as unfaithful as their ancestors.. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them… Jesus passed through their midst. It wasn’t His hour.

The Truth hurts sometimes but if we don’t tell the truth or seek the Truth, what then? Where will our lies, twisted consciences lead? Seek Jesus, the Life, the Truth, and the Way!

SCRIPTURE

LUKE 5:1-15

The Call of Simon the Fisherman.

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”

Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking.

 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything^* and followed him.

 REFLECTIONS

the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God

 Jesus is teaching the Word of God.  Jesus is the Word of God made flesh.  Are we as hungry and eager to hear the Word of God as those who press near Jesus?  Or are we content with just the readings we hear at Mass?  Dust off that Bible and to see and listen to the Word of God speaking to me and you.

Jesus teaches from a boat, the Ark of Salvation. As God told Noah and his household to go into the Ark of old for safety, Now Christ is welcoming us into the Bark of Peter. The Boat itself is a Symbol for the Church,,

The Boat holds the Apostles, and symbolically all of Christ’s Disciples. “The World is a Sea in which the Church, like a Ship, is beaten by the waves, but not submerged.  We, too, are doing God’s Work, fishing for People, in Peter’s Boat, the Church.

 After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”

“Duc in altum! (Put into the deep).  Pope St. John Paul II spoke on this subject of “putting out into the deep” often. John Paul II insisted that God is calling each of us to a deeper life – one full of meaning, purpose and joy. one needs to open one’s heart to the abundance of grace to allow the word of the Redeemer to act with all its power: ‘Duc in altum!’

What would it look like if we submitted our entire will to God? What kind of an impact would we have on the world? How fulfilling and peaceful would life become?

“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”

Peter. an experienced fisherman, was reluctant at first but then in the presence of Jesus he said, but at your command I will lower the nets. When Peter saw the great number of fish, he was in awe and fell on his knees in adoration.  Peter knew only God controlled nature, fishes and the sea.  Peter was in the presence of someone very special.  How do we feel and react when we are in the presence of Jesus?  You know He is active in our lives and present in Word and Sacrament.  Are we reluctant at first to say, thy will be done?

Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.

I WILL MAKE YOU A FISHER OF MEN

We, too, at our Baptism are commissioned to be fishers of men.  As the age old saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats. We must be that rising tide. No one gets to heaven by themselves. It takes a faith community. We cannot abandon the Church to the wolves within or without. We must sacrificially love her all the more as she undergoes this purification of love from the hands of her Founder, Jesus Christ.

This, after all, is Christ’s Church! There is no “plan B” through which He will save this world. He established one Church through which to continue His work until His return. His Church has undergone similar purifications and reform many times over the last two thousand years. Her hull may be battered but she is still the Ark of Salvation. “The gates of hell will not prevail against her”.

God’s plans are infinitely better than anything we can come up with ourselves. When we listen to God and act on His word, He will produce an abundant catch of souls.  This “catch” will come in an unexpected way at an unexpected time and will clearly be the work of God.

SCRIPTURE

 LUKE 5:27-32

CARRAVAGIO PAINTING OF CALL OF LEVI (MATTHEW)

 The Call of Levi.

After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind,^* he got up and followed him.  Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them.

 The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”

 REFLECTIONS

 The painting of Carravagio above shows in great detail the context of Matthew’s call in the custom house where taxes were collected for Rome on merchants who came to buy or sell in Israel. Religious leaders especially despised the tax collectors. They were considered unclean because of their contact with Romans When Jesus made friends with the tax collectors his ministry was immediately under suspect.

In the painting, Matthew and his companions were dressed in rich attire from their profiting but Jesus was in simple peasant clothing. Greed had filled the hearts of tax collectors to exploiting their own kin.  Let greed not turn our hearts.

Another interesting factoid is the hand of Jesus pointing to Matthew is a copy of Michaelangelo’ God the Father hand stretching to Adam in the creation of man.

As Adam is called into being so is Matthew.  When we are called by God, how do we respond?  I, also, found it interesting in the painting, Matthew pointing to himself.  It’s like are you sure you are asking me, a sinner, a publican, to join you.  Who me? Are you sure?

Jesus can reshape any pot of clay that is already formed.  Just let him in. It doesn’t matter how long we have been away from Him or maybe never gave a thought to Him.  Can we answer the call like Matthew, And leaving everything behind,^* he got up and followed him!

 We don’t know exactly what happened in the intervening time when Matthew left with Jesus and Matthew holding a banquet in Jesus’ honor.  But we suspect the conversion was similar to St. Paul’s when he met Jesus and heard him.

God does not mince words and speaks with authority.  You have to be deaf, dumb, and blind to ignore Jesus once you really experience Jesus.  Do you just know about Jesus or have you embraced Him like Mary Magdalene? My yoke is easy and burden light!  Yoke yourself to Jesus, give it a try.  You won’t be disappointed!

Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners

To face down the religious leaders criticism, whose hearts are hardened,  Jesus explains how he can’t do anything for the self-righteous, that he came for sinners.  Well, put me in that sheepfold.  I want Jesus to come for me. It may be difficult to examine our consciences and face the Truth but it is better to enter that narrow gate then broadly go it on my own for all eternity. I did it My Way is the anthem of Hell!

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, have mercy on me, I am so sorry.  I am asking for your mercy right now.  Please forgive me for what I’ve done. I have a pain in my soul that needs to be mended.   Father, forgive me for not forgiving others.  Help me to practice love and respect.  With all my heart, I love and adore you and I am sorry for my selfish behavior.  Without your mercies and grace, I am nothing.  But with your forgiveness, I am whole again. Give me the strength to live a holy life.  I pray in Jesus’s name. Amen.

 

SCRIPTURE

LUKE 6:20-26

sermon on the plain

BEHOLD YOUR REWARD WILL BE GREAT IN HEAVEN

 And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said: “Blessed are you who are poor,^* for the kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.

But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.

REFLECTION

Many may be more familiar with the Eight Beatitudes given in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, Chapter 5. The main differences are: in the Sermon on the plain there are a shorter list of blessings and there are Woes.  Jesus reminds us that our rewards for our blessedness may be deferred to rewards in heaven.

Jesus tells the people of his time and us today, ( their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way) – that blessed of old have been mistreated as well; but those who persevere to the end receive the resurrection to glory and full Beatitude!

Certainly no one likes suffering but it is the state of affairs since Original Sin.  But we have God’s promise He will be with us in the midst of that suffering.  His Son suffered and God did not abandon Him but raised Him up in triumphant glory!  It is the woes we should concern ourselves with.

Is God first of all in our lives? “… I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25

 SCRIPTURE

 LUKE 6:27-36

 Love of enemies

 BE MERCIFUL AS YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS MERCIFUL

But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.

And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit [is] that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

REFLECTION

The Sermon on the plain continues with Jesus’ discourse on love.  This is revolutionary stuff-counter cultural.  Loving Gentiles and Samaritans was not in the DNA of ancient Israel or for that matter, loving someone who might do you harm.

What in the world is this Jesus asking us to do?  He is asking us to imitate Him, “that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Some call this the “Golden Rule.”  To me, even if you didn’t believe in God but acted on this so called “Golden Rule,” the world would be a lot more peaceful and safe.  If someone followed that rule all the time, it also would lead them to sanctity of every human life and the source of that sanctity, God the Creator of all.

Love is the norm for human existence. It is defined as completely self-giving, seeking only the good of the other without any self-interest. Love makes no judgments about the other, forgives unconditionally, bears all, believes all, hopes all, endures all, and wholly receptive to the other.

SCRIPTURE

LUKE 6:37-42

judging others

JUDGE NOT LEST YOU BE JUDGED

“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you. And he told them a parable, “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.

Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.

REFLECTION

I love the picture above.  It says so much about how we often interact with others.  If you look closely the man with the beam in his eye is pointing aggressively at the smaller man in an accusative way that can only be intended to intimidate and demean the other man.

The smaller man with the splinter in his eye lifts only a finger hesitatingly, recalling that judgment is not his to make.  So often judgment is a knee jerk reaction but even then it can do harm not only to the one we are judging but also to us, the accuser, by feeding our pride and superiority.

I am sure it has happened to others as it has happened to me that a judgment I made was all wrong, not wrong to do but my judgment was not correct about a situation.  Be wary of judging! ““Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.

For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you. This alone should give one pause in how they treat others. I want much better treatment from God. Although my sins deserve no special treatment, I fall on the mercy of God.

No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. I focus here on the fully trained. To be fully trained requires discipline.  Jesus in his human nature prepared for his public ministry with forty days of prayer and fasting in the wilderness.

We have the season of Lent coming up very shortly.  What better time for self-discipline, choosing God’s will over my will.  “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1

 

 

 

 

SCRIPTURE

 LUKE 7:1-10

 healing a centurion’s slave.

When he had finished all his words to the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die, and he was valuable to him. When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save the life of his slave. They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying, “He deserves to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us.”

And Jesus went with them, but when he was only a short distance from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

 When Jesus heard this he was amazed and, turning, said to the crowd following him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” When the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

 

LORD I AM NOT WORTHY,

SAY BUT THE WORD AND I WILL BE HEALED

 REFLECTION

A Roman Centurion who had at least 100 men under his command had a slave that was sick but he loved this slave, didn’t see him as just a slave, but a person in need.  When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Jesus because he himself, a Gentile, a pagan, felt unworthy. Do we choose intercessors in this world and in the next?  Why Not?

The Jewish elders tried to put the best spin on the request by saying this Roman Centurion built their synagogue and loves this nation.  I don’t believe Jesus needed this bit of promotion to go with them.  It is not about what we do, but what Jesus does, his will to save all.

As Jesus was going to the Centurion house, the Centurion came out and said, I am not worthy that you enter my house.  I am sure it wasn’t because his physical house was untidy but rather he was struck with humility of who he was and who Jesus was.  Do we humbly approach Jesus in prayer? Heal me Jesus, Savior of the World. Jesus?

Not only did the Centurion recognize Jesus’ miraculous powers but His authority as well. For I too am a person subject to authority. Do I recognize Jesus’ authority and the Church He founded?

 SCRIPTURE

 LUKE 7:11-17

 raising of the widow’s son.

 Soon afterward he journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her.

 When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.

 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

JESUS RAISES THE WIDOW’S SON

REFLECTION

Jesus sees a funeral procession for the only son of a widow.  He not only sees a procession of people, He sees the broken heart of the widow.  Jesus’ heart goes out to her, “Do not weep.” Jesus is present in her sorrow and in ours as well.  We are not alone.  Trust in Jesus!

Embrace Him in our suffering.  He will not abandon you anymore than the Father abandoned His Son on the Cross.  Jesus rises victorious.  We that suffer with Jesus will also rise with Jesus.  Imitate Jesus’ human heart when He sees something He does something. If nothing else, when we see a situation like emergency vehicles do we pray that God may intervene?

When the widow’s son rose up and spoke, Jesus gave him to his mother. This was not so much about the son who will die another natural death as his mother who was grieving and in need of her son’s support. Do we pray not only for those who are sick or dying but their caregivers as well and those that grieve?

This story is about the heart of Jesus, a heart in solidarity with us.  Love is what we need most, but sometimes dread the most. Love requires selflessness, vulnerability, and a will to address other.

The crowd glorified God, “God has visited His people.” The crowd recognized God’s intervention.  Do we look for God’s intervention in our life, in others, in the world? “This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.” Too much for people to keep to themselves. Do we spread the Good News of Salvation wherever we can.

SCRIPTURE

 LUKE 7:36-50

  pardoning of the sinful woman.

A Pharisee invited him to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.  Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee.  Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.

 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, she is a sinner.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said.

 “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages^* and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?” Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.”

He said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment.

 So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love.^* But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven, your faith has saved you; go in peace.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

 YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN.

YOUR FAITH HAS SAVED YOU. GO IN PEACE.

 REFLECTION

A Pharisee invited him to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.  Though it was a Pharisee that invited Him, Jesus accepted the invitation.  There is no where Jesus will not go to spread the Gospel of repent and be saved.  What about us?  Do we dismiss or disparage others, even say someone is not Catholic though they have been baptized?  Perhaps we need to check our judgment of persons when it comes to evangelization.  It is not too late for anyone to convert, repent, and believe in the Gospel.

When the Pharisee saw a sinful woman whom he judged as not worthy attending to Jesus, he said to himself, if Jesus was a Prophet he would know this is a sinful woman.  Of course, Jesus knew.  Jesus also knew Simon’s thoughts and challenges him with a parable. Simon I have something to say to you.

After the parable about the creditor and the debtors, Jesus asks Simon which of the debtors will love him more?

Simon, though forced by reason, answers the one who is forgiven more.  Jesus affirms, “You have judged rightly.” Jesus did  not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:12

I can relate.  Confessions of the past where there have been more serious matters, when receiving absolution from the priest in the name of Jesus, “I absolve you from your sins…” resulted in much greater love for Jesus on my part.  Jesus is my Savior.  His mercy endures forever!

Jesus is not ready to let Simon off the hook.  Jesus asks Simon “Do you see this woman,” Jesus means do you see this woman like I see this woman.  Do we see others as Jesus sees them? So I tell you, Simon her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love with her attending to my needs.  Do we attend to other people needs?

Jesus says to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven, your faith has saved you; go in peace” Well, whether Jesus got through to others at the table, their own need for repentance is unknown but at least He got their attention.

Others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”  Who is this Jesus to us?