Jer. 1:4-5, 17, 18-19 1 Cor. 12:31-13:13 Luke 4:21-30
- on the Gospel - Prophecy or Popularity
One
of the first indigenous bishops in Nigeria returned to his native town for a
reception soon after he was made bishop. His townspeople, most of whom had
only a faint idea of what the Christian faith or the office of bishop stands
for, came together to give him a big reception. In the welcome speech, the
people expressed how happy they were that one of their own sons had risen to
the exalted position of those who had direct access to God. They promised him
they would all embrace Christianity if he, as bishop, would use the power of
his office to suppress one of the Ten Commandments for them. Before they
could say which of the Commandments they had in mind, the young bishop
shocked them by telling them that the Ten Commandments are of divine and not
human making, and so are unchangeable. The celebratory mood turned into
disappointment and the bishop had to make a hasty departure from his own
people. Jesus, in today's gospel, went through a very similar experience.
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