4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

• First Reading – Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19: God declares He knew and chose His prophet before birth, commanding him to speak boldly. Despite opposition, God promises strength and protection, ensuring victory through His presence.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 71: I seek refuge in the Lord, asking for rescue and deliverance, trusting Him as my fortress and rock since youth, and vowing to proclaim His justice and salvation.
• Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13: Though spiritual gifts are important, love is superior. Without love, even great abilities are meaningless. Love is patient, kind, and enduring. It outlasts all gifts, and among faith, hope, and love, it is the greatest.
• Gospel – Luke 4:21-30: In a synagogue, Jesus announced the fulfillment of Scripture, astonishing the audience with his eloquence. They recognized him as Joseph’s son. Jesus anticipated their skepticism and referenced Elijah and Elisha, who ministered to non-Israelites, illustrating a prophet’s rejection at home. This incited anger, leading to an attempt to harm him, but he left unscathed.

Lectionary Reference: 72

The readings above are for lectionary cycle C. For other years see the links below:
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

The 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C features readings that highlight God’s call, the power of love, and the challenges of following Jesus. These themes remind us of the courage needed to live out our faith and the importance of love in our Christian journey.

• God’s Call: In the first reading, God calls Jeremiah before his birth. This reminds us that God has a purpose for each of us from the beginning.
• Courage in the Face of Opposition: Jeremiah is warned that he will face resistance. This theme teaches us to stand firm in our faith, even when others oppose us.
• The Greatest Gift is Love: The second reading from Corinthians emphasizes love as the greatest gift. It encourages us to prioritize love in all our actions and relationships.
• The Endurance of Love: St. Paul describes love as patient and kind. This theme underscores the importance of loving others, even when it is difficult.
• Rejection of Jesus: The Gospel shows Jesus being rejected in his hometown. This teaches us that following Jesus may lead to rejection, but we must stay true to our faith.
• Prophets Without Honor: Jesus points out that prophets are often not accepted in their own country. This reminds us that sometimes those closest to us may not understand our faith journey.
• Faithfulness Despite Challenges: All three readings highlight the importance of being faithful. Whether called to speak difficult truths or love others, we must remain steadfast in our faith.

The 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C encourages us to embrace God’s call and love others deeply. It also reminds us that faith can be challenging but is worth the effort. We are called to live out our faith with courage and love, even in difficult times.

Give Away the Grace You’ve Been Given

In a homily for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, Bishop Robert Barron discusses the prophetic calls of Jeremiah and Jesus. He emphasizes that God calls us for a purpose beyond our personal desires, focusing on serving others. Jeremiah and Jesus are appointed for the nations, not just themselves. Jesus’ message of salvation is for everyone, not just for his hometown. Bishop Barron highlights that our religious life should not be self-centered but should share God’s grace with the world.

The 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C invites us to explore key themes such as the centrality of love, the challenge of accepting prophets, and the importance of standing firm in our faith. The readings from Corinthians, Luke, and Jeremiah provide valuable lessons for our daily lives. They encourage us to reflect on how we express love, respond to challenges, and perceive others.

The Greatest Gift of Love

On the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, the second reading from Corinthians focuses on love as the greatest gift. St. Paul emphasizes that no matter what other gifts or talents we have, they mean nothing without love. This teaching encourages us to make love the center of our lives and the foundation of all our actions and relationships.

St. Paul describes love as patient and kind, qualities that are not always easy to practice. Patience means being understanding and gentle, especially when faced with challenges or difficult people. Kindness involves treating others with respect and compassion, even when they do not treat us the same way. These are not just nice ideas; they are essential parts of living out our faith.

This focus on love reminds us that our actions should reflect the love of Christ. It is easy to love those who love us back, but true Christian love goes beyond that. We are called to love others, even when it is difficult or when they do not respond in kind. This includes being patient with someone who frustrates us or being kind to someone who is unkind.

The 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C challenges us to examine how we show love in our daily lives. Are we patient with our family, friends, and even strangers? Do we practice kindness in our words and actions? By prioritizing love, we follow the path that Jesus set for us, making our lives a reflection of His love for all people.

Seeing with New Eyes

On the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, we see the people of Nazareth surprised by Jesus. They thought they knew him well. He grew up in their town, and they knew his family. But now, they find it hard to accept him as a prophet and a messenger of God. This reminds us how our own preconceived notions can blind us to the true value and potential in others.

In this Gospel, Jesus acts as a prophet. He speaks about rejection, both in history and in his own future. By mentioning how God helped non-Jewish people in the past, Jesus hints that his mission is for everyone, not just for the Jewish people. This was a new and challenging idea for the people of Nazareth to accept.

Jesus challenges the people to open their hearts and minds. He wants them to see the generous love of God that is for all people, not just a select few. However, instead of welcoming this message, they react with anger. They even try to throw Jesus off a cliff. This harsh reaction shows how difficult it can be to accept new and challenging ideas, especially when they come from unexpected sources.

The rejection Jesus faces in Nazareth serves as a reminder that he understands our own experiences of being rejected or misunderstood. When we face rejection, we can turn to Jesus, knowing he has felt the same pain. This connection can bring comfort and strength to us in difficult times.

Lastly, the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C encourages us to look beyond our own biases and judgments. Just as the people of Nazareth struggled to see Jesus as more than just a local boy, we too can miss seeing others as valuable instruments of God’s work. Let us open our hearts to see the good in others, and to reach out to those who are marginalized or rejected. This is a call to embrace the love and acceptance that Jesus offers to all.

Standing Firm in Faith

On the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, we learn about the challenges faced by prophets like Jeremiah and Jesus. Jeremiah is warned that he will face opposition and rejection, yet he is called to deliver God’s message. This theme reminds us that standing firm in our faith is not always easy, especially when we encounter resistance from others.

Jesus also speaks about how prophets are often not accepted in their own country. The people of Nazareth, who knew him from childhood, struggled to see him as a prophet and teacher. They had their own ideas about who he was and could not accept that he had a special mission from God. This teaches us that sometimes the people closest to us may not understand or support our faith journey.

Facing resistance can be discouraging, but it is a common experience for many believers. Like Jeremiah and Jesus, we are called to stay strong in our faith, even when others doubt or challenge us. This strength does not come from being accepted by others, but from trusting in God’s plan and purpose for our lives.

The 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C encourages us to reflect on our own experiences of rejection or misunderstanding. It reminds us to be compassionate toward others who may also feel isolated because of their beliefs. By standing firm in our faith and supporting one another, we can find strength and comfort, knowing that God is with us, just as He was with Jeremiah and Jesus.

The reflections for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C challenge us to embrace love, understand the role of prophets, and stand firm in our faith. These teachings remind us of the importance of patience, kindness, and resilience. By focusing on these values, we can deepen our relationship with God and others, growing in faith and compassion.

Prayer

Lord, help us to love others with patience and kindness. Give us the strength to stand firm in our faith, even when we face challenges. Open our hearts to see the value in others and to embrace your message with open minds. Amen.

• How can I show more love in my daily interactions?
• In what ways can I be more patient and kind?
• How do I handle rejection or misunderstanding because of my faith?
• What can I learn from Jesus’ experience in Nazareth about being true to my beliefs?
• How can I better support others who feel isolated or rejected?
• Do I have preconceived notions about people that prevent me from seeing their true value?
• How can I stay strong in my faith when faced with opposition?
• What steps can I take to make love the center of my life?
• How do I respond when someone challenges my beliefs or values?
• How can I open my heart to God’s love and guidance in new ways?

The music selections for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C focus on themes of love, calling, and trust in God. These songs celebrate God’s constant love and remind us of our mission to love one another, as highlighted in the readings. The music also reflects the idea of being chosen and called by God, as seen in the first reading and the Gospel. The selections encourage us to recognize God’s presence in our lives and to respond with faith and gratitude. The variety of hymns and contemporary worship songs provide a mix of reflective and uplifting music to enhance the liturgical experience.

• Before the Sun Burned Bright
• Christ, Be Our Light
• Christ in Me Arise
• Christians, Let Us Love One Another
• Chosen and Called
• Friend of God
• Gather Your People
• Great Are You, Lord
• Holy Is the Lord
• I Will Sing of Your Salvation: Psalm 72
• Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
• Love Goes On
• Love Has Come
• More Beautiful
• Now Thank We All Our God
• Our God Is Here
• Remind Me Who I Am
• Restless
• Shelter Me, O God
• Sing a New Church
• Ubi Caritas
• When Love Is Found
• Where Charity and Love Prevail
• Where Love Is Found
• Where There Is Love
• You Know Who I Am

We encourage music directors and musicians to explore these selections and incorporate them into their services. These songs can help bring the themes of love, calling, and trust to life for the congregation. Feel free to suggest your own music choices in the comments and share how you plan to highlight the message of the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C through music.

What does it mean that Jeremiah was called before he was born?

Jeremiah 1:4-5 says God knew Jeremiah before he was born and had a plan for him. This shows that God has a purpose for each person, even before birth. It reminds us that our lives have meaning and direction from God.

Why does God tell Jeremiah not to be afraid in the first reading for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

In Jeremiah 1:17-19, God warns Jeremiah of opposition but tells him not to be afraid. This is because God will be with him and give him strength. It teaches us to trust in God’s support when facing challenges in our lives.

What should we learn from Jeremiah’s courage?

Jeremiah’s courage shows us the importance of standing firm in our beliefs. Despite knowing he would face challenges, he trusted in God’s strength. This inspires us to be bold in living our faith, even when it is difficult.

Why does St. Paul say love is the greatest gift in the second reading for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

In 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13, St. Paul explains that love is greater than all other spiritual gifts. This is because love lasts forever and is the foundation of a Christian life. It encourages us to prioritize love in our actions.

What does it mean when Paul says love is patient and kind?

Paul describes love as patient and kind to show how we should act toward others. It means being understanding and gentle, even when it is hard. This teaching helps us practice patience and kindness daily.

How can we apply the reading about love to our lives?

We can apply 1 Corinthians 13 by practicing patience, kindness, and humility. It means treating others with respect and putting love first in our relationships. This is how we live out the teachings of the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.

Why did the people of Nazareth reject Jesus in the Gospel for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

In Luke 4:21-30, the people of Nazareth reject Jesus because they know him as Joseph’s son and can’t believe he is the Messiah. This teaches us that faith can sometimes be challenging, especially among those who think they know us well. It reminds us to keep faith in Jesus even when others doubt.

What does it mean that a prophet is not accepted in his own country?

Jesus says this to show that prophets often face rejection from those close to them. It means that sometimes the hardest place to witness our faith is among family and friends. This encourages us to be brave and steadfast in sharing our faith.

Why is it important to focus on love according to the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

The readings emphasize that love is central to the Christian life. Focusing on love helps us live out the values of our faith and connect with others. It is the key to following Jesus’ teachings.

How do these readings for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C encourage us to deal with rejection?

The 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C readings show that even Jesus faced rejection. They encourage us to remain faithful and loving, even when others do not accept our faith. It teaches us resilience and trust in God’s plan.