Reflection for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

by Cindy Wenninghoff, Notre Dame Associate

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you….They will fight against you but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.”

All of us are called by God to be prophets, to share His love with others. And He tells us, that it will not be easy. Even Jesus experienced rejection among his own people. He is the Savior foretold, our salvation, but the people “led him to the brow of the hill and were going to hurl him down headlong.” It’s hard to imagine that scene – being with our Lord, and not believing. But it’s easy to get caught up in what the crowd is saying, to be swayed by those in power. To judge others based on what people say, not what is Truth. And it is even more difficult amongst our own peers as we are afraid to go against them, as they may turn on us too.

This bias and distrust seems just as prevalent today. We listen and react to local news and social media which is more interested in selling stories then following the truth. And our leaders, the vitriolic relationship between Democrats & Republicans, creates only division and anger. It’s hard to even have a conversation anymore, so nothing is done to help those in greatest need. It just makes my heart ache.

​But we can’t grow weary of doing what is right. Each of us has a gift that we are called to share, and if we listen to our hearts, God will reveal it to us and be there for us. And we know, as the readings remind us, that “Love never fails. It rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”