by Kathy Brown
In the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.'” And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.
Luke 4:23–30
Inspired by the Ignation way of Lectio Divino, I begin my first read through and two words pop out: truth and rage.
In my second read through, I imagine myself “in the scene” as a neighbor next to the synagogue in Nazareth, fanning myself from the heat. What had started in the temple as “our” Jesus reading from the sacred scroll, turned ugly as extremely angry neighbors surrounded Jesus, as they all headed towards the cliff!!
Oh no! What is happening?!? I feel panicky.
Then, unbelievably, I see Jesus walking back through the crowd and keep on walking.
Could no one see him?
I heard and saw it all happen! “Our” Jesus!
I know Jesus will always remember his town, his family and friends! I realize I have to let go of my “small boxed-in-Jesus”.
Now the final time of prayerful reading, and I ponder: what is God asking me to do, or what action shall I take? My response feels small. I wonder; how is the truth blinded by my anger; sometimes as small as an annoyance, or as huge as rage?
So I pray, “Help me God, please, to step back and breathe as I sense myself becoming upset.
Help me to see the trigger, so I don’t go down the anger path.
Guide me to tenderly touch the deep places where the source of anger sits, and bring it to the light of truth, to healing love and peace…”
Now that’s the miracle! Like Jesus passing through the crowd!
Foxglove Beardtongue – Penstemon digitalis
These photographs, shared each day during Lent, capture the beauty of plants native to the Upper Midwest. As we spend time in Lenten reflection, these images of new life can remind us daily of our calling to be caretakers of God’s Creation.
Photo by Jo Anna Hebberger
