“Sometimes, what God is calling us to do conflicts with what others wish to hear, but we are to remain strong in faith, and in love of God and one another.” Our reflection from the daily Mass.
BIBLE READINGS: You can find the readings for 10 January here (Universalis Website)
As we begin an election year in Wales, the political parties will already be beginning to put together their manifestos, their promises to the people of what their party will do for Wales. With the current political climate, it will be an interesting year, possibility one of great change. Whether that will be for the better or for the worse, we shall have to wait and find out.
When Jesus takes to the pulpit in Nazareth, where everyone had known him since he was a boy, he is doing nothing unusual. It is his custom to do so, as it was for many itinerant rabbis. The surprise comes in turning the prophecy of Isaiah towards himself. In a succinct paragraph, he tells them what he has been sent to do, and how he will change the world. Good news for the poor, liberty to captives, sight to the blind, freedom for the oppressed. In that moment, his listeners are astounded. He receives a favourable response from them. What we don’t hear is what follows. They turn on him, drive him out of the town to throw him over the brow of the hill on which Nazareth was built.
The fortunes of politicians, leaders and others in power can quickly change, swept along by the wave of public opinion which can turn against them. Jesus, though, isn’t about to change his mind. He knows what he has been sent to do, and his mission is clear. Likewise, we can be tempted to wander away from the church’s mission so that we appear more attractive. We can chase popularity rather than proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom. Sometimes, what God is calling us to do conflicts with what others wish to hear, but we are to remain strong in faith, and in love of God and one another. As we are reminded in the First letter of St John, “This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”
Mass today is at St Nary’s Church at 11.30 am (following Morning Prayer and Rosary at 11 am)
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