On the Back Porch
Reading, pondering and studying God’s Word is sometimes best done “on the back porch.” Each week we will try to offer something for you and your “back porch time.”
4th Sunday, Year C | Fulfilled in your hearing
What We Celebrate
The gospel for the previous Sunday begins the story: “He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me’”
The gospel for this Sunday is “the rest of the story”. Jesus begins by saying: “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” What will be the reaction of the people, the religious leaders, and more importantly, your reaction?
There is a lot to unpack in these verses, so grab your favorite beverage and take some time on the back porch.
Full Text of the Sunday Readings (in 2025 The Presentation of the Lord is celebrated)
Detailed Commentary on the Gospel
Eleventh century fresco of the Exorcism at the Synagogue in Capernaum | Wiki Commons | PD-US
The Rest of the Story
One thing that is evident when you look at this Gospel reading (4:14-21) is that the narrative really continues on to v.30. It is as though the story has been cut in half without knowing the reaction of the people in the synagogue. As it turns out Luke 4:22-30 comprise the Gospel reading for the following Sunday (4th Ordinary, C). The video below from the series “The Chosen” covers the entirety of the events at Nazareth.