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Monday 22nd
Week OT
The Institute
August 31, 2015
A CHANGE OF HEART +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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There is a puzzling change of heart in the midst
of today’s Gospel
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Jesus, a hometown boy back for a visit, is
invited to read in the synagogue
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The response of the townspeople is clear:
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“All spoke
highly of him and were amazed”
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Yet these same people immediately proceed to
ask: “Is this not the son of Joseph?
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And that continues as an exchange with Jesus
that ends with a furious effort to drive him out of town – and over the brow of
the hill
ANOTHER WAY TO SEE +++++++++++++++++++++++++
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In the past, I assumed the townspeople simply
resented an ordinary “local” claiming that the Spirit of God had empowered him
to act
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But today I’d like to suggest another
interpretation
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What if the townspeople made the connection that
if Jesus, a hometown boy, could be empowered by the Spirit of God, so too could
they!
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That anyone
could hear, could also receive Spirit – & bring freedom & sight &
good news 2 poor
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Perhaps the people suddenly realized that
hearing Scripture was not a spectator sport…
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Like being stirred by a football game, and
turning off the TV, the event sinks from consciousness
APPLICATION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Suppose Jesus not simply speaking about himself
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But that he’s speaking about them
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That these words could be fulfilled in
their hearing and by their hearing
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Suppose that in that instant, realized the
cost of hearing the Word of God – & wanted no part of it
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Then what about us? How often do we choose to admire
from a distance…
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Admire rather than B personally engaged in the
work of making peace, risking foolishness, or speaking out?
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Isn’t that the force/grace we are 2B 4 each
other?
CONCLUSION
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Yes, “Today
this Scripture passage is fulfilled in – and by – our hearing”
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What shall come of it rests upon us and our
openness to God’s grace
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