The Gospel for this 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time is a continuation of last Sunday’s words of God’s love for the poor and the outcast. These words were seen as a challenge to the way society was living. It is in the context of love that our true Christian identity is expressed.

This gospel opens with Jesus’ words, “This Gospel fulfilled in your hearing.” People, we’re both amazed and challenged by these words. They said that they know this man Jesus and how can he say these things? When Jesus entered his hometown synagogue, they did not expect him to say anything out of the ordinary.

Jesus knew that the synagogue is the place where God’s word is proclaimed, meditated upon, and discussed. Jesus had a chance to speak to the people.  The leaders were all amazed by what Jesus had to say. The leaders saw Jesus as an amateur and expected him to quote and speak on the authority of Scribes and leaders of the past. However, Jesus’ authority was established not only with words but also with deeds. 

Jesus reminds us that the wholeness of everyone in the community is essential to realizing the kingdom of God in our midst.  We must recognize the great power of God’s love poured out to us in Jesus. 

St. Paul says to the Corinthians, gives us the heart of Jesus’ message to us all, “I will show you a more excellent way that endures all things, hopes all things and it will never fail.” Our love for each other must be sincere.