Homily: Monday, 3rd Week of Lent

Readings: 2 Kgs 5:1-15; Ps 42; Lk 4:24-30

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How small a God do you believe in?

It’s kind of an odd question, but it’s really the question with which Jesus challenged the people of Nazareth, His hometown. When He showed up in the synagogue, they were already upset. They’d heard all about the wondrous things He’d done elsewhere and wanted Him to do the same in Nazareth. They thought they were special. Jesus, after all, was from Nazareth, and so they deserved special treatment. If Jesus were this great prophet that people were already calling Him, then why hadn’t He done anything here in Nazareth?

Of course, there was no thought of conversion, no desire to change their hearts, and repentance? Well, no need for that. No, their demand was all about entitlement, for they were a people wrapped up in themselves. Jesus looked at them and saw no humility, only pride.

Remarkably, they really exhibited little curiosity about Jesus Himself. Oh, they thought they knew Him, because He had grown up among them. But they could see Jesus only as He used to be, as the child who played in their streets. And now He’s a prophet? Well, Jesus, if you’re so great, how about proving it? Yes, they wanted some miracles too. But for the miraculous to engender faith, the heart must be well disposed.

You see, they believed in a very small god, a god of Nazareth, not the God of Creation. In a very real sense, they’d tried to create a god in their own image, and such a god must be small.

How does Jesus respond?

He reminds them how God worked wondrous miracles through His prophets Elijah and Elisha; but they were miracles aimed at those beyond the borders of Israel, at Gentiles, not Jews. For God, the true God, is the God of all Creation. He certainly isn’t a God to whom we can dictate.

With these examples from the books of Kings, Jesus reproaches His neighbors. His reproach, of course, attacks their pride. And they respond. Oh, yes, they respond with murderous intent.

Now I’ve occasionally said things in homilies to which people objected, but no one’s ever tried to kill me. But Jesus? They force Him out of synagogue and out of town, intending to throw Him off a cliff, all because He spoke the truth.

Yes, indeed, the cancel culture is nothing new. It was alive and well in Nazareth 2,000 years ago. The truth always upsets the world. To speak the truth today invites only condemnation. How much easier it is to just go with the flow, to hide the light of our faith, to hide the truth

And the truth often comes from unlikely places, doesn’t it? Like the servants of Naaman who by speaking the truth convinced the general to do what Elisha had commanded. Perhaps Naaman had a problem taking orders form others, especially prophets.

As for Jesus in Nazareth, He withdraws miraculously, leaving the people of Nazareth paralyzed in their wounded pride; perhaps even questioning: “Who is this man that we thought we knew?”

How about you? How about me? Do we believe in a little god, a subservient god, one at our beck and call, a god who does, or should do, our will.

Or do we believe in the Lord God, the God who created us out of love, who reveals Himself to us out of love, and calls us to do His will?

What about Jesus, the One the Father sent to become one of us, the One who gave His life for us, out of love? Do we listen to His Word? Do we realize He speaks to us constantly and from the mouths of the most unlikely people?

And that Cross He carries. Does He really expect each of us to carry one too? Why can’t He just make my life perfect, just they way I’d like it?

Brother, sister…Who is your God? Who is your Jesus? Have you and I created little gods, gods our minds can comprehend, little gods we can control?

Or, like the deer in the Psalm that thirsts for the stream’s running water, do we thirst and long for the God of Creation, the God of Revelation, the God of the Incarnation, the God who loves, the God who saves, the God who calls each of us to be His disciple?

You and I have to let go of our little gods and let the true God quench our thirst as He wills.