Doctor, Cure Yourself – Luke 4:21-30 Reflection
Jesus asks those present in the Synagogue to explore a timeless phrase, “Doctor, cure yourself” from an ancient Jewish Midrash Genesis. They wonder how Jesus, an untrained Rabbi and the son of the carpenter Joseph knows so much and can cure others. They did not understand that Jesus was also God’s son. As an active Christian, haven’t you experienced the same reality of being and doing as Jesus did? If not, it is likely, you will. As children of God, we know the source of divinity inside is there for all we might do or be for others. Yet, like Jesus, our beliefs and gifts are rejected so that we sometimes must pass through the crowd.
Jesus Unrolls the Book in the Synagogue, James Tissot, Brooklyn Museum
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 4:21-30 – Scripture
21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” 23 He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.’” 24 And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. 25 But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; 26 yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27 There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” 28 When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. 30 But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this daily reading from the Gospel and considering this Lectio Divina reflection on Luke 4:21-30 – Doctor, cure yourself.
This site has written permission from New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) to use the Luke 4 Bible passage.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.