Gospel – Luke 4:21-30
Jesus began speaking in the synagogue, saying:
“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
And all spoke highly of him
and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.
They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?”
He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb,
‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place
the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’”
And he said, “Amen, I say to you,
no prophet is accepted in his own native place.
Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah
when the sky was closed for three and a half years
and a severe famine spread over the entire land.
It was to none of these that Elijah was sent,
but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon.
Again, there were many lepers in Israel
during the time of Elisha the prophet;
yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”
When the people in the synagogue heard this,
they were all filled with fury.
They rose up, drove him out of the town,
and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built,
to hurl him down headlong.
But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went away.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
2582 Elijah is the “father” of the prophets, “the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.” Elijah’s name, “The Lord is my God,” foretells the people’s cry in response to his prayer on Mount Carmel. St. James refers to Elijah in order to encourage us to pray: “The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”
2583 After Elijah had learned mercy during his retreat at the Wadi Cherith, he teaches the widow of Zarephath to believe in The Word of God and confirms her faith by his urgent prayer: God brings the widow’s child back to life.
From “The Great Crusade of Love” Testimony of Catalina Rivas (CL-152:7)
7) That is why I do not want you to make a book out of these messages; it will get to whomever it must, no more. The hour has not arrived. This incredulous and unfaithful world does not easily believe many things, because it is easier to cloak oneself in skepticism than in truth. It is more comfortable. Again I tell you no one is a prophet in his land. The world needs a sign in order to believe and it will have it.
From “The Ark of the New Covenant” Testimony of Catalina Rivas (ARK-107: 1)
1) Beloved, do not let your heart be saddened with the conversation that you had with your siblings; give it the time and allow Me to guide you towards the ways that you should come closer. Of course you will have rejection! Why Me and not you? Nobody is a Prophet in his own land, in his family. Persevere; take care of My things: “…Because those who take saintly care of the holy laws, will be recognized as good and those who allow themselves to be instructed by them, will also find in them their defense…”
From “The Visible Face of the Invisible God” Testimony of Catalina Rivas (Chp-IV: 22-24)
22) Jesus knew that He would not be well received precisely there, because no Prophet had ever been well received in his own town, among his own people. And so it was when He began His preaching and quoted the Prophet Elijah and then the Prophet Elisha that those people became furious because they considered an audacity for Jesus to compare Himself to the Prophets.
23) They did not want to open their hearts. They stood up and with total lack of respect for the Temple they began to lift their fists and to threaten Jesus, who looked at them completely unperturbed, and rather with compassion. This attitude of the Lord drove them yet more furious, so that as He was passing through them in order to leave, they pushed Him all the way out and then they chased Him yelling insults, and accosted Him, threatening to kill Him.
24) Jesus passed in front of them, and without responding to their insults and threats, He walked
away, His spirit saddened because they had not understood the Scriptures, because they would not allow being liberated from their miseries. Jesus left serene and majestic, so much so that in the end they did not dare to touch Him.
Each week we will be presenting a portion of the following Sunday’s readings, and linking it to relevant parts of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and messages from the Testimony of Catalina. Pay special attention to the italicized underlined sections. This week we learn of the significance of Jesus’ baptism by John. We hope this is inspiring and educational. Any comments you have are certainly welcomed.
Tim Francis prepared this educational program to help you increase your faith and love for the Holy Trinity and our Blessed Mother. His website is http://YouShallBelieve.com
I have known Tim for many years and recommend his work highly. He is a strong advocate for the “The Real Body and Blood Of Jesus” and the numerous miracles that occur on a daily basis. Both of us are greatly inspired by the amazing writings of Catalina Rivas.
Catalina is one of the few individuals in history who personally experienced the “Stigmata Of Jesus Christ.” The video below was broadcast on FOX TV.
Link to materials for You Shall Believe: http://sciencetestsfaithtools.