Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 4, 2024

Date:  Monday of the 3rd Week of Lent

Scripture Text:  Luke 4:24-30

Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: “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.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

In order to more fully understand today’s gospel text from Luke, we must recognize that it is part of a larger/longer account of Jesus’ appearance in the synagogue at Nazareth. Verses 16-24, which are not included in today’s reading, tell of Jesus’ reading from the scroll of Isaiah the prophet (specifically the beginning of ch. 61- a Servant text). When He finished reading, Jesus proclaimed that “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” Some present were amazed. But others rejected him, asking, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?”  This response to Jesus foreshadows the response to his teachings and miracles as well as his power and presence throughout the remaining gospel, namely, some will be amazed, believe and follow Jesus while others will reject Him and all he does because it doesn’t not fit what they believe. A second element is present in this text, it is the opening of the promise of a Messiah to the Gentiles.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How open am I to the LORD’s power and presence at work in the world and in others?  How open am I to the gifts of God given to others? Am I missing or misjudging the contributions of others?

Praying:

LORD, Heavenly Father, You sent your only begotten Son to dwell among us and from among us, as our brother, to redeem us and to reconcile us with You. Some recognized your beloved Son as “Son of God,” while others rejected Him because He didn’t fit their expectations of a Messiah. Send your Spirit, LORD, to illuminate our minds and hearts so that we might better recognize your power and presence at work in our world and in our lives especially through your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant that we might follow in His footsteps as His disciples living lives in loving relationship with You and with one another. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.