Today's gospel passage begins at a moment when Jesus returned to Galilee ... News of him spread throughout the whole region (Lk 4:14). What was that encounter like? People heard that he had arrived. Had they also heard about miracles that he had performed in other places? Were they happy to see him?
Eventually he arrived in Nazareth where he had grown up, and went ... into the synagogue on the Sabbath day (Lk 4:16). How many faces did he see there ... familiar faces, or people he had once known but hadn't encountered for quite some time? Was he excited about catching up with them, spending time? Sometimes, people who haven't seen each other for years can meet and soon feel as though no time has passed at all ... and at other times, they are like strangers who have grown so far apart that they can no longer find anything in common.
Jesus had changed since the last time he was home. Having proclaimed the words of the passage from the Book of the prophet Isaiah (Lk 4:18-19), he then spoke a few words that must have shocked at least some of those who heard them: this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing (Lk 4:21). Could they see that something was different?
Have we ever met someone after not seeing them for a long time? Is there someone you haven't seen for a while who you would like to meet? How do you envision the conversation unfolding? Imagine having such a conversation with Jesus? Would it be any different?
Have a great day.
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