4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 4:21-30

Homecoming

Mt. Precipice, Nazareth    (watch your step)

 

A father passing by his teenage son’s room was astonished to see that his bed was neatly made and everything picked up off the floor. Then he saw the envelope propped up prominently on the pillow. With a sickening feeling he moved in closer to investigate. The letter was addressed to him. With the worst premonition, he opened the envelope with trembling hands to read what was within.

 Dear Dad,

It is with great regret and sorrow that I’m writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend, because I wanted to avoid a scene with Mom and you. I’ve been finding real passion with Stacy, and she is so nice. However, I knew you would not approve of her because of her piercings, tattoos, and tight motorcycle clothes. Also, she is so much older than me.   Stacy said that we will be very happy. She owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood that will last us for the whole winter.  Don’t worry, Dad. I’m 15, and I know how to take care of myself. Someday, I’m sure we’ll be back to visit, so you can get to know your many grandchildren.

Love,

Joshua

P.S. Dad, none of the above is true. I’m over at Jason’s house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than the school report card that’s under my pillow. Call me when it’s safe for me to come home!

We can only imagine the “homecoming” that awaits Josh when he finally comes home!  I’m guessing we all had a moment when we had to face our dad after screwing something up, times when we failed and had to answer for our failure.  I remember just after getting my license, coming home and pulling into the driveway and denting both of the family cars all at once.  It was not a pleasant homecoming or conversation with my father.

We hear of another homecoming in today’s Gospel.  It is the conclusion of last Sunday’s story of Jesus’ return, not just to his home district of Galilee, not just to his childhood home town of Nazareth, but to his home synagogue, the place where he heard the stories of the Patriarchs, where he heard the words of the Prophets, where he was taught to be a faithful Jew.  It was in this spiritual home that he reads from the Torah before an audience of his family and neighbors.  It was a homecoming of sorts for Him and it did NOT go well! 

The people are enraged and upset.  This can’t be; we know this man!  He is just the son of the carpenter. We saw him playing as a child!  He is just a Jew like any of us.  And so they drive Him out of the synagogue and attempt to throw Him off the precipice of a mountain just outside of Nazareth!  Today’s pic gives you a good sense of how frightening a drop from Mt. Precipice is, roughly 1300 feet! Not much of a welcome home!

We all know there have also been times when our own homecoming was one not of fear but of joy!  Times when we would come home from a year away at college, or that first visit after we married or after that first child, times of love and laughter!  Times when we would come home – we greet each other warmly at the door, sit down for some conversation and then move to the dining room table to share a meal.  That’s what homecoming means.

What’s significant is that when Jesus comes “home” to Nazareth, He doesn’t go to his parents’ home, He goes to the synagogue!  The House of His heavenly Father!  His spiritual home, and yet so much more!  The synagogue was not just where He prayed.  It was where children were taught to read and write.  Where they learned to read the Torah!  Where they were taught the 10 Commandments and the Law, where they learned how to observe the Holy Days, how to practice their religion!

Is it really any different for us?  Just like the synagogue in Nazareth, isn’t our church more than just a house of prayer?

This Church is not just a house of worship; it’s a place of formation and education, of learning and growth, a place where we gather as a people of faith, not just for Mass and Sacraments, but for scripture study and faith formation, where we learn the ministry of lector and Eucharistic minister, of usher and greeter and of altar server, where we craft blankets for the newly baptized and the sick, where we gather as a community for the joy of a wedding and the sadness of a funeral.  This is our home, our spiritual home, a place of faith and of education!  A place of welcome!

Ginger and I live in a 114 year old house!  A few years ago we embarked on a kitchen renovation.  That involved opening up the walls for the first time since it was built.  And we found a treasure trove of goodies, almost like a time capsule.  a roller skate and ice skate, baby shoe, wooden blocks and tops, little Christmas bells, toy hammer and saw, model train tracks, even a few pages from a German Bible!

And then there’s this!  A report card!  A 6tth grade report card from 1909, and not a very good one for 6th grader Joseph Erickson!  He had a 57 in Arithmetic, 52 in History, 63 in Homework, 65 in Language, and a 69 in Geography– probably why it was hidden away never to see the light of day!  And we can only wonder whether he made it into 7th Grade!

Besides homecomings, report cards seem to be the theme of the day.  They are a reminder of the importance of reading, writing, language and math!  A good reminder as we begin today Catholic Schools Week!  A reminder that this is the beginning of not just Schools Week, but Catholic Schools Week!  

And so too our school!  For over 90 years, it has been touching hearts, minds and spirit!  It is a place of learning, of education and physical and mental growth, and most importantly of faith formation!

In a few minutes, students will be bringing up the gifts of bread and wine, but they will also offer not only textbooks and a globe and a basketball, but also a religion book and a Bible!  Each object is a testament to our commitment to train the body, the mind and the heart, where we prepare our children for their First Communion and Confirmation, for their entrance into high school, for their participation in sports and service projects! 

Yes, there are report cards and sometimes there is a grade or two we may want to hide away.  But the opportunity for improvement never disappears.  Whether it’s academic, or physical or religious, growth is not only encouraged and available but guided and mentored and cherished! 

It is a reminder that our church is not just a place of faith but of education and conversely our School is not just a place of education but of faith!

We celebrate this week not just our history of academic excellence but the importance and value of our Catholic faith! 

And whether we are entering the doors to this church or to the school, the response is always one of joy and hospitality!  Welcome home, friends and family!  Welcome home!

 

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