
My Dear Sisters and Brothers!
We believe that the Bible tells us the story of God but even when we study history, if we want to, we can discover the hand of God, like it became apparent at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Similarly God equipped well the prophet Jeremiah as we could hear in our first reading: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you; I have appointed you as prophet to the nations.” God doesn’t send random people. On the contrary he prepares them well for the mission they are going to be entrusted with. Sometimes we don’t understand what is happening to us, but what is important is to treasure the belief that God’s plan is already unfolding in us and through us. The people is Nazareth, as we could hear it a few minutes ago, were so close to discover the divine presence among them, because St Luke tells us that “they were astonished at the gracious words that came from Jesus’ lips.”
Can you think about some examples of gracious words? If you are still thinking I can give you a hint: it has nothing to do with the words our politicians produce.
Listen to these examples:
“Your sins are forgiven. Get up and walk…
Courage my daughter your faith has restored you to health…
Get up, pick up your stretcher and go off home…
Be cured…
Follow me…
Ephphatha. Be opened…
Go home you son will live…
Go away and don’t sin any more…
Lazarus, here. Come out…
Simon Son of John, do you love me…”
Can you recognise these words? Have you heard them before? Those gracious words Jesus speaks. Those gracious words of Christ bring God’s graces into our lives. They are expressions of God’s mercy for us. God doesn’t speak empty or useless words. On the contrary he speaks to us as the one who knows what’s going on in us and around us. If we don’t get it is because we expect a different solution. We don’t want God to solve it his way but our way.
Remember my Friends that Jesus Christ has been equipped best to deal with the matters we face and the matters the world faces. Listen to the words which come from his lips and tressure them.