Homecoming

First Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119
Gospel: Luke 4:16-30


Homecoming is always an exciting time for me. I get to go back to my old college and watch the football game, visit with friends who I haven't seen in a while, and walk around campus and think about the good memories that I have from there. It is always interesting to run into people who I knew before and to see how we have each changed.

Jesus' homecoming to Nazareth was similar in some aspects. When he spoke and taught in the synagogue, the people praised Him. They couldn't believe that Jesus, the guy they grew up with and knew His family, was referencing himself in the sacred scriptures. They were shocked, they said "Isn't this the son of Joseph?" (Lk 4:22) Where Jesus' homecoming was different, was the people became very angry at the things He was speaking of. If didn't sit well that He claimed to be the Son of God and that He was going to minister to the Gentiles. They always knew Him as the son of Joseph, a carpenters son and nothing more. Jesus knew their hearts and their minds; He knew that "No prophet is accepted in his own native place." (Lk 4: 24) If only the people of Nazareth had opened up their hearts to Christ they would have realized that they were witnessing their salvation being fulfilled. It is unfortunate that we tend to let ourselves be ruled by logic, instead of mystery.

It is this mystery that Paul speaks of as he writes the church of Corinth. Paul speaks to the church not with human wisdom, but with the wisdom from God. Paul speaks of Jesus Christ and His crucifixion. It is through Him and His sacrifice that we are saved. Paul goes to them not with persuasive words, "but with a demonstration of spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God." (1 Cor 2:4-5).

So that our faith might rest not on human wisdom, but on the power of God. How often do we let this happen? How many times do we think "I need to make this happen" or "I am going to save the day." How many times do we put things on ourselves and act as though we are in control? If we are to live out our faith lives, we must let go of this need for control. We must let God work in us so that we can recognize who Christ is and how He can work in our lives. We must, as St. Paul did, let our faith rest on the power of God and not on human wisdom.

Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day. May we all continue to open ourselves up to your amazing power. Let our faith be increased so that we might go out and be better followers of you. May we serve and honor you with all that we do. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.