PLEADING for God’s help, the psalmist expresses confidence in Him and promises to make known the wonders God has wrought (Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15, 17). Jesus, wowing the people and encountering next their homicidal fury, faced up to His task as a prophet-for-all who would be rejected by those who would like to own Him; His refuge is God who sent Him (Luke 4:21-30).
You are my hope, O Lord
Almost identical in its opening words with those of Psalm 31:1-3, the psalmist here begs God to protect him and save him from shame, to rescue and deliver him, and to hear him and grant his petition. Calling upon God’s justice, he implies his innocence, even as he describes those threatening him as being wicked. His confidence in God’s trustworthiness is illustrated by comparing the Lord to his rock of refuge, a massive and dependable rock on which one can build a fortress or have a stronghold that provides security.
The psalmist’s confidence in God is not something just recently triggered off by his present distress; it is an old disposition dating back to his youth. Nay, even earlier, while still in his mother’s womb, because actually his trust in the Lord is an integral component of his entire human existence. From birth, he has depended on Him; God has been his strength every moment of his life. And God is righteous and just. His wondrous deeds of salvation and kindness to His people attest to that and awaken even more the psalmist’s confidence in Him. Raised from his youth in the tradition of the people who have repeatedly experienced God’s saving love and justice, he is certain about God’s willingness to help those in need. The righteousness of God will surely rectify the psalmist’s situation, as it is the basis for his hope and trust in God.
No prophet is for his own place
IN continuation from last week’s Gospel, Jesus here taught His town-mates what being sent by God means for Him. At first the people in the synagogue, knowing Him as from them —“the son of Joseph”, were amazed at His wisdom. And they wanted Him to perform healing miracles, as He has done elsewhere and now in favor of His native place. But Jesus pointed out that they have no exclusive privileges or home advantage over others, just as no prophet is for his own house. With two examples from the prophets Elijah and Elisha, Jesus clarified that God’s blessings are for all in need and are welcoming including gentiles.
The people turned homicidal upon hearing from Jesus what for them was blasphemous: God’s saving gifts also for non-Jews.
Alálaong bagá, Jesus from the start stood for the universality of divine mercy. In carrying out His mission as God’s anointed for the salvation of all, it is clear there would be closed-mind rejection and even violent death and there would be no one but God to call upon.
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