Isn’t this the Son of Joseph January 28

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. Jeremiah 1:5

Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4

And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Isn't this the son of Joseph?” Luke 4:22

4th Sunday of Ordinary Time Jan 28

By Rev. Joe McCloskey, S.J.

Piety

(From 1 Corinthians 13)

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, it is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things. At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.

So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Amen.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/012807.shtml

How we let others grow is important. We do not live in the present moment if we are locked into who we were in the past. We are all capable of changing and change is the truth of being alive. We are growing each day of our lives into whom we are meant to be in the plan of God. We do not notice the changes. Our friends can tell us more about ourselves than we would ever give ourselves credit for realizing by ourselves. We need the good opinion of others. Jesus was admired for a moment on his visit to home. But when he had something to say which challenged the status quo, the people were upset. Christ is the realization of so many moments of God’s love of our world that the people of Nazareth were not able to keep up with all the changes that had taken place in him. The question, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” puts their quandary into focus. How could he know all the wonderful things we have heard him say?

Action

What is Jesus saying to you today that might upset the way you look at the world? Just like the people of Nazareth, Jesus challenges us to love unceasingly. How will you do that?