Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, C
Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19
Ps. 71
I Corinthians 12: 31-13:13
Luke 4:21-30
The readings center on the difficulty faced by those whom God has called. In the First Reading, we are given the account of Jeremiah’s call by God. In this call, God tells him “Be not crushed on their account…they will fight against you, but not prevail…for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.” The Responsorial Psalm echoes the prophet’s appeals to God: “In You, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In Your justice, rescue me and deliver me…” The Gospel begins this week with the sentence that ended it last week: “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” The assembly of His townsmen are astounded, both at what He had to say and at how well He said it. Jesus confronts them, and they try to kill him. This is a typical theme in Luke: The ones who were designed to hear the Gospel end up rejecting it, and it then is preached to others who will accept it.
The Second Reading continues our hearing of I Corinthians. Today we read one of the best-known portions of the New Testament, Paul’s hymn to “love.” In its context, however, it relates to a church which has taken certain spiritual gifts (such as tongues) and blown them out of proportion to their usefulness to the Body (see last week’s Second Reading). Therefore Paul says to the church at Corinth, ‘Set your hearts on the greater gifts. Now I will show you the way which surpasses all others.” This has validity for all assemblies at all times.
This hymn is based on today’s Scriptures:
In ways of selfishness and need
We often treat with sad disdain
The special gifts that others have;
With jealousy we cause much pain.
When Jesus visited His home,
His freeing Word was met with strife
By those who sought to cut Him down;
With death they countered words of life.
The news of grace that Jesus gives
Calls each to live a life of love
That settles not for boast or scoff
And aims from earth to heav'n above.
Aware that God has formed us all
And from the womb has called our name,
Let us, with love's ambition filled,
Go forth announcing Jesus' claim.
LM
No suggested tune
Introit: Laetetur cor (Ps. 105:3,4,1)