Fourth Sunday in Ordinary time – and Candlemass

Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-18; Luke 4:21-30; Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 2:22-40

by Rachel Denton

I was struck this week by the contiguity between these four readings. – 2nd Feb must usually fall on or around 4th Sunday of the Ordinary, so perhaps they were intentionally arranged in this way to resonate the prophecy/fulfilment theme which is common to all of them.

Jeremiah is (reluctantly!) recruited to God’s work as a prophet, though there is an air of inevitability about it , “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you,” God makes Jeremiah promises of ä fortified city, an iron pillar” which will prevail against his enemies.

Malachi is really a repeat of Jeremiah, “Ï send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me … But who can endure the day of his coming?” Again an expectation of resistance, but promises that the ultimately “refined” sons of Judah and Jerusalem will bring offerings in tribute to God.

Anna and Simeon complete the quorum. The version of the story I am most familiar with begins Simeon’s prayer: “Ät last almighty Master, you give leave to your servant to go in peace”. I can almost hear the grateful exhaustion in his words. They have waited a long time for the fulfillment of God’s promise – both personal, and to the people of Israel. This time it is Simeon who anticipates the “sign that is opposed… and the sword that pierces the heart” There is no promise of a fortified city or of the fullers refining fire.

And finally in the Gospel Jesus speaks prophetically of God’s promise in the Scriptures being “fulfilled in your hearing”. At first hearing, the people “spoke well of Jesus änd marvelled at the gracious words coming from his mouth” Then his message too is rejected by the people. This is the beginning of the narrative of opposition that will lead eventually to his Passion.

1. What do you think about predestination?

1. Does being “known” before you were born limit our free will? Ditto for Anna and Simeon … and Jesus?

1. The narrative of calling, challenge, trust, patience is common to all the stories. Is it a common sequence in your own experiences?

1. What do you make of the biblical scribes repetition of the trope – an unlikely, but historical accuracy, or a reflection of human nature?

1. All four stories talk of calling, challlenge, trust, and patience. Which of those have you most valued in your own experiences. How do you respond to them?

1. I sense there is something fundamental in the nature of God (and humanity?) which this spiralling around and around the same story is trying to tell us. But I don’t know what it is. Any ideas?