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Reflection on this Sunday's scripture readings
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Jeremiah 1:4-5; 17-19 1 Cor.12:31-13:13 Luke 4: 21-30
It's never easy to be a prophet as today's readings testify. Jeremiah was called and directly challenged by God to speak to the people of Israel in the political and religious crisis in Jerusalem before the destruction in 586 BCE. God, foreseeing the reaction his words would have, promised to give the prophet the strength he needed as he delivered a message difficult to hear.
Luke's gospel takes up the idea of the prophet's words being unacceptable. The scene is just after Jesus has read from the scroll in the synagogue in Nazareth where he had been brought up. Jesus proclaims that the fulfilment of prophetic hope is beginning now and his words seem to provoke his audience to dismay then anger. Jesus is from an ordinary family, so who is he to make such claims?
Is God calling us to be prophetic today? Are there critical situations which call for our response as ordinary Christian women and men? We must not be afraid of how others might react, for God will give us the strength we need.