Nazareth Truth

Greeting on this the Thursday After Epiphany

Readings: 1 Jn 4:19–5:4; PS 72:1-2, 14 and 15bc, 17; Lk 4:14-22

Note: I write this reflection on the morning after the insurrection instigated by the President of the United States to disrupt and prevent the legal and official final ceremonial step in validating the election of Joseph Biden, to be the 46th President of the United States which is mandated for January 6th, 2021. The traditional date for the Epiphany – an experience of a sudden and striking realization.

Jesus returned to Nazareth and we read today the sacred scriptural mission statement. A few verses later those same people he proclaimed his mission, they tried to kill him.

Jesus’ Mission

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit

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.”

Power Response

They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” which means who is he to cite scripture to us? Given further explanation it became too much for them.

They rioted. They insurrected against God.

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.

Rejecting Jesus

Rejecting Jesus is to reject the Spirit of the Lord. The work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, 2nd and 3rd persons of God, is to bring freedom to truly oppressed people. He didn’t come to riot and grab power. He came to heal and help those who have none to help them.

Yesterday, January 6th, Epiphany is in fact a Great Awakening.

The Catholic Church has self-inflicted wounds having supported a megalomaniac for election and then again for reelection. In plain sight he was known to be foundationally ill-suited for the Presidency.

We’ve forgotten our mission statement. The Christian Church has become more like the Nazareth Leadership who riot and attempt murder.

The Anointed Bearer of Glad Tidings

The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; He has sent me to bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, release to the prisoners, To announce a year of favor from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God; To comfort all who mourn; to place on those who mourn in Zion a diadem instead of ashes, To give them oil of gladness instead of mourning, a glorious mantle instead of a faint spirit.

Should Have Known – No Love There

Beloved, we love God because he first loved us.  If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his  brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen  cannot love God whom he has not seen.  This is the commandment we have from him: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Exodus Shadow

What should chill our Catholic hearts is Jesus’ response. While they tried to throw him off the cliff, instead we have a mirror of the Moses Exodus Event.

But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

Love or Leave the Church

In the end either you must love Jesus and his mission or you need to leave the Church.

There are all sorts of moral evil in this world. We shall always teach the way of righteousness. We must live the same righteousness. Correction comes by way of acts of love and understanding. I’m gonna walk with Jesus. I suggest you leave you MAGA monster behind.

Today is truly an Epiphany.

Peace be with you,

Deacon Gerry