Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk 

 Fourth Sunday of the Year C – February 3, 2019.

Readings: Jeremiah 1:4-5,17-19; Responsorial Psalm 70:1-6,15,17; 

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 & Gospel Luke 4:21-30.

Theme: Brace Up for action, Be Ambitious for Higher Gifts!

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, our liturgy this Sunday urges us to brace up for action even as we seek for higher gifts. Our readings are a wake-up call for us to stand up for something really lofty and worth it.  The saying "if you don't stand up for something, you will fall for everything" comes to the fore. This reflection hopes to scan through the summary of the readings so as to ascertain what the pastoral lessons are. 

Background & Summary of the Readings

In Jeremiah's prophesy (Jeremiah 1:4-5,17-19) where we took our first reading from, in the days of King Josiah, the word of the Lord assures of divine knowledge, divine consecration and divine appointment for his elect. It further challenges  the consecrated to brace up for action and tell the people what the Lord has commanded. It further assures that the Lord would fortify his elect and deliver them.

The second reading (1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13) charges the Corinthians to seek after higher gifts. It notes love or charity as a springboard for those lofty gifts stressing that: "Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes." It surmises that "Love does not come to an end" and that "there are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love."

In the gospel (Luke 4:21-30), Jesus reproves his people for their unbelieve and maintained that "no prophet is ever accepted in his own country." He goes ahead to laud the heroic faith of foreigners like the  widow of Zarephath and the Syrian Naaman. When they heard that, they wanted to kill him but he slipped from their midst. 

 

Pastoral Lessons

1. God's divine knowledge, divine consecration and divine appointment of us demonstrates the sacredness of life before, during and after conception.

2. Pro-Abortionist need to have a rethink because everyone including the unborn is special to God - He created us to fulfill a purpose.

3. In particular, priests and religious need to brace up for action by telling the people what the Lord has commanded them to and not the other way round. 

4. In the wake of Christian persecution, pastors of souls and indeed all Christians should remember that the Lord would fortify his elect and deliver them.

5. In a world that is materialistic, Christians are charged to seek after higher gifts.

6. Christians are challenged on the golden rule and charged to embrace charity as the springboard for all lofty gifts. 

7. Christians are called upon to measure their spiritual lives on faith, hope and love knowingly fully well that  the greatest of these is love.

8. Since Jesus has assured that "no prophet is ever accepted in his own country," we ought to pray for missionaries who are having a hard time working among their people for God to guide and strengthen them.

9. By using the heroic faith of foreigners like the widow of Zarephath and the Syrian Naaman, Jesus is challenging all Gentiles that salvation is a free gift to be appropriated by anyone.

Homiletic Quotes to Remember

1. Our liturgy this Sunday urges us to brace up for action even as we seek for higher gifts.

2. It assures that the Lord would fortify his elect and deliver them.

3. The second reading charges the Corinthians to seek after higher gifts.

4. "There are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love."

5. In the gospel Jesus reproves his people for their unbelieve and maintained that "no prophet is ever accepted in his own country."

Conclusion

In conclusion, our liturgy calls us not to be complacent. On the contrary, it challenges us to brace up for action on the one hand and to be ambitious for higher gifts on the other.  As individuals and a Church, we are cautioned against all anti-life activities because created us and knows our inmost being.  As we strive to follow the Lord on the royal road of the cross, we pray that he may help us to stand for him and seek after holiness.  Have a blessed week!