Right in our own backyard

“Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. 25But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; 26yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” 28When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 29They got up, drove him out of the town . . .
Luke 4:24-29


On the one hand Jesus’ neighbors could see him as nothing more than the carpenter’s boy, a kid from the wrong side of the tracks. On the other hand they didn’t want anyone else getting more from him than they were. Jesus reminds them that God has always been concerned about outsiders – those not among the “chosen people.” It’s a reminder that we need for our own times. God is concerned for the outsiders among us and those nearby. And often the one who can understand them and minister to them best is someone who hasn’t been especially noteworthy in our group. We should always be aware of all people who are reaching out to the marginal and marginalized groups – and we are called to follow their example. They show the face of Christ to those they serve and remind us of Christ’s call to us to care for “the least of these.”