4th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C


BEFORE I FORMED YOU

Some people regard birth as a completely chance event. Those who plan parenthood and denial of it might say, "This child is our little 'accident'." Through Jeremiah, God teaches that human birth is part of God's plan. God lives beyond space and time in a perpetual state of NOW. God knows all people and sees us as part of an intricate design for salvation. "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you..." is a reminder that God is in charge. He loves and wants each one of us.

before I formed you I knew you

 

patience kindness not jealous not pompous not inflated not quick tempered

No prophet is accepted in his own native place


THE UNACCEPTABLE PROPHET

After achieving success as an itinerant rabbi and miracle-worker, Jesus returns to the town of his childhood. At first he is hailed as the local-boy-done-good; then jealousy arises. Jesus had been a simple carpenter. Apparently he had not worked miracles while growing up, nor demonstrated any special knowledge. The locals think that they know Jesus and are aghast at his sudden fame. Jesus reminds them that there is a history of rejected prophets in the Old Testament. The townsfolk literally reject Jesus, trying to throw him off a cliff.

Related: Resources on Sunday Readings - Clipart, homelies, articles, coloring pages, music: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

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