Offensive

Homily for Wednesday of the Fourth Week In Ordinary Time

Despite the fact that Jesus’ fame has spread throughout the communities around the Sea of Galilee, his former neighbors simply can’t see beyond the fact that they know him as the son of a carpenter. There could be a number of reasons for this. Perhaps they are jealous of all the attention that Jesus is getting. Maybe their pride is rankled by Jesus’ popularity. At the same time, they may simply misunderstand the words they have heard about his preaching. We can only wonder about what Jesus was teaching in the synagogue to elicit the response of his fellow townspeople of Nazareth. Were they challenged by his message and his authority? Given his humble origins, perhaps they were offended that someone from their neighborhood had gained so much notoriety.

Truth be told, Jesus was offensive – but not in the way that we often think about the word when associated with rudeness or insult. His message is still offensive to some in our own time. Jesus’ message and the way he carried out his ministry offended many. He aggravated religious leaders when he rebuked their legalism and violated long-standing Jewish customs. Surely even those close to him were vexed by his messages of radical inclusivity. They probably had heard that he was even preaching to Gentiles.

Jesus remains uncompromising and revolutionary even in our own times. Preaching the Gospel can be dangerous. We need look no further than the Eucharist, in which Jesus gives his body for sinners like us so that we might become his body of love for others. While it would be easier to follow someone who demands little of us, Jesus asks for everything. This too may have offended his neighbors. There simply is no way around this if we are true to the real Jesus.

So, strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees, as today’s first reading instructs. With hands outstretched, we walk with the radical Jesus, ready to be transformed by his message and way of excessive love. We are not offended, Lord Jesus, for we long to follow you.