Look to Jesus with Love, Reflection on 3rd Sunday Ordinary Time, Ordinary Time, Cycle C, 1/25/16

Fr. Steve preached this week about “the look”.  Speaking from experience as a teacher he talked about being able to control a classroom just by giving a certain look to students.  The students knew when he gave them “the look” that it had a specific meaning such as, “quit messing around and get back to work”.  He related this to “the look” that the people in the

synagogue gave Jesus after he read theScripture to them and told: “In your hearing this Scripture passage has been fulfilled.”  Their look to Jesus was one of unbelief, anger, and disdain. How could Jesus claim what he did?  He was from their hometown of Nazareth.  He was Joseph’s son. They knew him and he had no right to proclaim what he did.    They weren’t open to listening to Jesus message.

Fr. Steve challenged us to be open to Jesus message when he speaks to us.   We may be like the people in the synagogue and want to shut Jesus out and take offense at what he has to say to us.  How does Jesus speak to us? Sometimes it’s in quiet prayer.  Other times it may be through words and actions of family and friends.   It can also be through the prompting of the Holy Spirit.  Regardless how Jesus speaks to us, we need to be open to listening with love and not shut him out.    The people in the synagogue were too closed mind to give Jesus a chance.  When Jesus speaks to us its always going to be with love.  Sometimes it’s not going to be what we want to hear, but if we approach Jesus with love rather than being offended, we’ll be much more open to following his call for us with love.  So look at Jesus with love this week and be open to listening where he is calling you.