Ostracism

Greetings on this the Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Lv 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37; PS 81:3-4, 5-6, 10-11ab; Mt 13:54-58
Notes: The axiom “You don’t know what you have until you lose it” certainly can describe the gospel story today.

First reading
These are the festivals of the LORD which you shall celebrate at their proper time with a sacred assembly:

• Passover.
• Feast of the Unleavened Bread (later combined together with Passover).
• Pentecost or Feast of Weeks.
• Feast of Booths.
• Day of Atonement.

Each feast brings about a particular memory, recalling an historical event, invokes gratitude and praise for the Lord.

It is a recalling of:

• what the Lord has done,
• what the Lord is doing and;
• what the Lord has planned for us.

Responsorial Psalm
Sing with joy to God our help.

Take up a melody, and sound the timbrel,
the pleasant harp and the lyre.
Blow the trumpet at the new moon,
at the full moon, on our solemn feast.

Alleluia Verse
The word of the Lord remains forever;
This is the word that has been proclaimed to you.

Gospel Portion
The Rejection at Nazareth.

The Synoptic Gospels all report the Rejection at Nazareth but with distinct focuses. It is a great portion of scripture to study and compare and contemplate the focus each gospel writer had in writing the version they way that they did. Why not read them and share your thoughts in the comment section.

• Matt 13:53-58.
• Mk 6:1-6.
• Lk 4:16-30.

Feasts Jesus kept:

1. Feast of Weeks, Pentecost (x-ref Jn 5).
2. Feast of Unleavened Bread.
3. Feast of Passover (Jn 2:13 and 6:4).
4. Feast of Tabernacles, Feast of Booths and Sukkot (Ex 23;16 Dt 16:13-16).
5. Feast of Dedication (Lights) (Jn 10:22).

So taking together we can compare how the people responded to Jesus and how people could respond to Jesus. At this point in the gospel, the people of Nazareth are already quite familiar with Jesus’ miracles and teachings in the greater Galilee and beyond.

• Pentecost – Jesus ushered in a new Pentecost with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
• Jesus is the Passover Lamb.
• Jesus is and the giver of the Bread of Life.
• Jesus accompanies us on our Exodus journey.
• Jesus provides for all our needs even the miraculous and forgiveness of sin.

So we can choose to ostracize him or accept him.
Before you ostracize him consider in your own life, a particular memory, recalling an historical event, that invokes gratitude and praise for the Lord.

Do you remember:

• what the Lord has done for you,
• what the Lord is doing for you and;
• what the Lord has planned for you.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry