Cycle C

Good News C10

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

New American Bible Luke 4:21-30

Bible Gateway New International Version Luke 4:21-30

After Jesus said you are witnessing this prophecy coming true, people started saying….he can’t be the Messiah….he’s Joseph the carpenter’s son. He’s from a little town of Bethlehem. He can’t be the one proclaimed in the scriptures.

How many times do we hear voices telling us, “You can’t do that. You’re only in 5^th grade. You don’t have what it takes. You aren’t smart enough to do that. You don’t have the money to do that. You can’t do that because you’re a girl. You can’t do that because you’re a boy. You aren’t pretty enough or handsome enough to do that.”

Forget those negative voices. You have what it takes. You are intelligent enough. You have common sense enough. You are beautiful enough. You are handsome enough. You have skills enough. You have money enough. You have everything you need to be you. You are a child of God. God has written in his book that you will accomplish great things for him. The only thing that God leaves to you is your choice. You choose what you do with your life. When you choose to walk in God’s path, he opens doors for you.

If you want to be a doctor and people tell you that you are not smart enough to be a doctor. Block out that negative force. Fill yourself with positive voices. Say this aloud: “With God’s help, I can do anything.”

If you want to write a column for a newspaper, but people tell you that you are too young, write the newspaper and send along a copy of your sample column.

Jesus didn’t listen to these negative voices, either. He continued healing the sick. He continued making the blind see. He kept cleaning the skin of the leper. Even though some people didn’t believe that he could do it. He never gave up. He was determined. He was unstoppable.

Believe that God will empower you to do what others believe is impossible. He loves you and gives you everything you need to be the best. Be determined. Be unstoppable. Fill your life with goodness and say to yourself, “What can I do today to help God’s people believe in themselves?”

If your brother says, “I can’t tie my shoes.” Say, here, let me show you how to do it. Then you will be able to tie your shoes. If your sister says, “I am so hungry.” Say, “Here, have half of my piece of bread.” If your neighbor says, “I can’t mow the grass any more.” Say, “Here let me help you. We’ll do it together.”

Say the “Our Father” and ask God to show you how he wants you to serve him and his people.

“Our Father, who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.”

Copyright © 2004 Joan Y. Edwards