Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Luke (4: 24-30) where Jesus came to Nazara and spoke to the people in the Synagogue about how no prophet is accepted in their own country.

Fr Paul says the impact of this Gospel only occurs if we remember that this event occurs in Nazareth at the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry. This is the opening and the setting of Jesus’ ministry. It is a story of non-conversion. The Nazarenes have been given the chance to be the first to receive the message of Jesus and in the end they turn that chance down, they think they know Jesus too well. Jesus will be forced to turn to the Gentiles rather than God’s chosen people.

As we continue our Lenten journey, Fr Paul invites us to reflect on this question; “with the chance to be a follower of Jesus through word or actions, do I take the chance or do I turn it down?”