Daily Gospel Reflection for March 8, 2021

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Luke 4:24-30

Have you ever felt stuck between a rock and a hard place? Have you been forced to choose one side or the other? Were you ever pressed between the cliff and the crowd? In today’s Gospel, at first Jesus amazes the hometown crew until then they turn against Him.

Their faces went red with rage. Their fists pumped in defiant anger. Hateful words spewed from their mouths. Soon they morph into a crowd and collectively lash their fury upon Him.

The force of the angry mob pushed Jesus to the “brow of the hill”.

Be on guard of the crowd mentality, which quickly turns a gathering into a gang or a group into a mob. Bishop Robert Barron explains: “When tensions arise in a group (as they inevitably do), people commence to cast about for a scapegoat, for someone or some group to blame.”

It’s easy to follow the crowd, but it takes courage to stand apart. Choosing the cliff means standing with Jesus, who sides with the underdog, protects the weak, serves the poor, loves sacrificially, and speaks the truth—no matter the consequences.

When we defend an unpopular cause or our child sides with a bullied classmate, we can expect the pressure between the cliff and the crowd. Yet our faith calls us to be brave in the face of being excluded or ridiculed.

At the climax, “Jesus passed through the midst of them and went away.” He did what? Despite the crowd ready to “hurl him down headlong”, He passes through them. But how? Rationally there was no way out. Yet Jesus passes through with love. Love never fails. Love always makes a way.

When you have the choice between the cliff and the crowd, always choose the cliff, for that is where Jesus will be.

Ponder:

How is God calling you to stand up for someone or something unpopular?

Pray:

Lord, help me to choose the cliff over the crowd, no matter how difficult. Be with me and my loved ones when we stand with the least and the lonely.

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When you have the choice between the cliff and the crowd, always choose the cliff, for that is where Jesus will be. #dailygospel

Copyright 2021 Mary Pedersen