Homily for Tuesday, Week 22 of Ordinary Time

Homily for Tuesday
22d Week of Ordinary Time

Aug. 31, 2021
Luke 4: 31-37
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Home, New Rochelle, N.Y.                 

“Jesus went down to Capernaum…” (Luke 4: 31).

In yesterday’s gospel (Luke 4:16-30), Jesus read from Isaiah in the synagog at Nazareth and announced his mission of healing and liberation.  Today he sets up in Capernaum rather than Nazareth as a better place to center his ministry.  It’s along the north shore of the Sea of Galilee on the main road between Judea and Syria.

Jesus exercises his ministry “on the sabbath … in the synagog.” (4:31,33).  He’s doing his Father’s work, and his Father’s day is a perfect day to do so.  His 1st ministry is teaching (v. 31); given the synagog setting, it must have been Scripture-based.  He teaches “with authority” (v. 32), clearly interpreting the Scriptures.  It’s been said that he offered his own commentary and explanations and didn’t need to cite other rabbinical authorities.  That, of course, is fitting for the one who is himself the Word of God.

Going beyond teaching, he shows his true authority, its limitless scope, and the ultimate meaning of his ministry by challenging the world of Satan.  “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?  Have you come to destroy us?” (v. 34).

Precisely!  He’s come to destroy the power of hell.  He does so by substituting forgiveness and holiness for lives centered on sin, and by extending God’s authority in human lives to all of humanity, even to us gathered here to listen to the Scriptures and to break Eucharistic bread in his name.  He still commands unclean spirits (v. 36).  He still makes us whole.