St. Luke inaugurates the public ministry of Jesus in his home town of Nazareth. However, you almost get whiplash as he describes the scene. When Jesus assumed the prophetic mantel of “bringing glad tidings to the poor” and “letting the oppressed go free” his neighbors applauded him. All spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. But the mood got ugly very quickly. When the people in the synagogue heard this,
they were all filled with fury. What did they hear that got them so mad? Jesus basically told them that it was not going to be “Nazareth first,” that his mission was broader and more inclusive, that they needed to embrace those who were different.
