Fourth Sunday of the Ordinary Time

When I read the Gospel, I asked myself this question: “What made the people so angry at Jesus that they wanted to throw Him down the cliff?” As I continue to reflect, I began to realize that it could be the two examples that he narrated which set them off. The two incidents which Jesus quoted were: the widow at Zarephath and the leper, Naaman, the Syrian – whereby both of them have benefited something from the prophets Elijah and Elisha respectively. In fact, the widow at Zarephath and the leper Naaman, the Syrian were notIsraelites, they were pagans. As Jesus began to speak, the audience could have expected some form of consolation and reward. And also that the enemies of Israel would be destroyed and get nothing as God of Israel is always on the side of the chosen people and will vindicate whoever threatens them. This was the belief of the people of Israel, even at the time of Jesus.

 

As Jesus speaks of the above two examples, his preaching did not match with the thoughts and aspiration of the people of his time. Why was He speaking of the pagans receiving help from prophets of Israel? How could Jesus bring out such an example at this time when our nation was under the rule of the pagans, the Romans and God should vindicate all enemies of Israel? This was totally unacceptable and an insult to our faith! However, they failed to realize the magnanimity of God's planwhich includes everyone.What they didn't realize was that thesetwo examples which Jesus narrated is a typical invitation for the people to realize and come to their senses of the magnanimity of the plan of God. God includes all and excludes none!