22nd Week in OT 2020 - Monday - Rejection at the beginning

During Ordinary Time, we read on weekdays from the three Synoptic Gospels: first the Gospel of Mark for the first 10 weeks of Ordinary Time, then from Matthew for a good chunk of the year, and finally from St. Luke, which we begin today, on this Monday of the 22nd week of Ordinary Time. Notice, though, we begin a few chapters into Luke’s Gospel, skipping the infancy narratives and commencing with the beginning of the Lord’s public ministry around the age of 30, after his baptism and time in the Galilean desert. Filled with the Spirit, the Lord returns to his hometown, where he is rejected.

Though St. Luke is concerned with presenting a historically accurate account of the Lord’s life and ministry, this story of rejection at the beginning of the Lord’s public life is no doubt theologically significant. The beginning begins with rejection. His family, his friends reject him. Nazareth will no longer be a safe place for him. He can never go home again. What happened at his baptism marked the beginning of the end of his earthly life. He must now be about his Heavenly Father’s business, no matter the consequences. 

For preaching for the Gospel he will be met with terrible hostility from people he once trusted. Those resistant to the Gospel will do everything they can to silence him and drive them from their presence. The Gospel has consequences for Him and for us.

For all who embark on the way of Jesus, for all who take up the mission of his Gospel, for all who are baptized, we can never go home again. We must be willing to be rejected by all because of Him. We are not at home in this earthly life. But while we are here, we must be busy about the Heavenly Father’s business. That is our mission, our first priority. To announce that the Christian Gospel is glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives, freedom for the oppressed. 

May we be faithful to our Christian identity and mission today and all days, for we have been anointed for this most important work, for being rejected by the world, we shall be embraced by God and his Saints for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That all members of the Church, laity and clergy, will be make the spread of the Gospel their first priority, and that the Holy Word of God may shape our attitudes and guide our actions. We pray to the Lord.

For an end to indifference to God and human dignity in our government institutions, educational institutions, businesses, and personal attitudes.

For an increase in devotion to Our Lady, that through her the Church may obtain a renewed zeal for souls.

That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring healing to the sick and comfort to all the suffering.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.

O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.