Today this scripture has been fulfilled . . .

Today this scripture has been fulfilled . . .

Part one.

Big call;

in front of his home crowd, too.

The mood appears to have been generous;

initially.

A more modest, “begins to be fulfilled,”

might have been more judicious;

but then, unlike the majority of his followers,

Jesus was never particularly cautious.

In most centuries

he would have been locked up

as a troublemaker, or a communist.

In 21^st century Australia,

his middle-eastern appearance,

along with his gang of similarly disreputable types,

would have generated

a substantial ASIO file by now.

Not to mention his wild talk

of freedom for the oppressed

and good news for the poor;

a call to revolution if ever we heard one.

And then, as if that isn’t enough,

he goes and brings God into it!

Big call!

Who does he think he is?

Part two.

The teacher couldn’t leave well enough alone.

The crowd  were impressed;

initially

His incendiary manifesto

slipped through, apparently unnoticed.

It’s what happens in every generation;

so many miss the disturbing implications

of such radical and loosely labelled “good news.”

For the poor, – only if the rich

can embrace the liberty of letting go;

for the oppressed, – only if the powerful

decide that they can do without their privileges;

for the captives, – only if the fearful choose

to risk their hearts, take on compassion,

and trust in the healing qualities

of grace and freedom.

And for the blind, – only if the unseeing ones

can be persuaded to open their eyes

to see for themselves

the gathering wonder and shining hope.

But no; he won’t allow them to stay

in the comfort of their unlistening.

Before they can begin to get

even the smallest corner

of their collective crania around it all,

he provokes his native crowd

with the “no acceptance

in the prophet’s hometown,” line.

Clever!

Who does he think he is?

© Ken Rookes 2013

Yes, two for the price of one, folks!

The gospel readings for Epiphany 3 and 4 overlap, so I thought I'd treat them as a pair. 

Part one Epiphany 3, (Jan. 27), Part two Epiphany 4 (Feb. 3)