At Nazareth, Jesus reads from the prophet Isaiah. In so doing, he indicates that God is fulfilling the promises of old through Jesus' presence and mission. Jesus has come to proclaim good news and to set people free. Yet, the people of his hometown resist his message. When Jesus describes God's blessing as shining on people beyond Nazareth and Israel, the people are disturbed.

Today, Paul describes his own manner of continuing Christ's mission. What Paul speaks about and the way in which he does it, both have Christ as their centre. Paul came to the Corinthians not with great power or eloquence, but rather with timidity and truth. He wanted the people to focus not on him, but on Christ. Paul lives in such a way so as to allow Christ to shine through him.

Centuries later we see another person stepping back and letting Christ be the centre. St. Gregory was born in Rome in 540 and at age 35 he became a monk. He deeply loved the quiet and study of monastic life. However, Gregory discovered that Christ wanted to shine through him in another way. Gregory became Pope and had a lasting effect on the Church, especially through his writings, changes to liturgy and sending of the first missionaries to England.