We are the Good News Today!

Listening to the Spirit

Lord, thank you for the gift of Your Word
so that all your people may know and love You more
and understand You better.

As I go about my day may I not forget
the scriptures you have opened up for me.

Help me to recognize how You want for me
to apply Your Word to my daily life.

Holy Spirit, guided by Your Word,
may You enlighten my mind
and enkindle in my heart
a greater love for You and for others
in my family and in the world.

Amen.

Listening to the Word

Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us,
just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Reflection

In Brazil, the liturgy includes in the mass what is called the enthronement of the Word of God. After the penitential act and the collect, the Book of the Word of God is brought to the altar, and it is given to the priest by a person escorted by 2 o 3 others dancing special steps. It is a beautiful way to give value to the Sacred Scripture. The month of January focuses on the Bible and this Sunday is the National Bible Sunday. Today the Gospel of Luke talks about the gift of the Word of God. Luke tells us about the importance of encountering Jesus through the Gospel. According to him, several people committed themselves to write about the life, the words, and the deeds of Jesus. He wanted to do the same, and most probably pushed by his good friend Saint Paul, he started accurate research about what happened in Galilee: “I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you”.

Thanks to Luke we can know and understand Jesus our Savior. How is Jesus saving us? It is said in the second part of today’s Gospel. “Today the Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” What is this scripture passage? Jesus looked carefully for the verses he wanted to share in the scroll handed on to Him. He knew very well the Holy Scripture. There are many scripture passages that talk about God, but He chose this one, where humanity is described with four characteristics: poor, in prison, blind and oppressed. He chooses the last ones, “ang mga kawawa.” He read those verses:

“He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”

These words are for us, for those who are tired, victims, and for those who cannot make it anymore. I know several people who are going through very difficult situations. There are times in which we experience too, the same awful and hard trials. But TODAY Jesus comes to bring joy, freedom, eyes healed and liberation, new hope, a new healed and fulfilled heart.

A question comes to my mind: What about me Lord?

He tells me “I am sending you to do the same”:

“Go proclaim the truth, no more fake news, be courageous. Say good words, the ones that give courage and hope. Console those who are crying and discouraged. Go I will lead you!

WE ARE THE GOOD NEWS TODAY!!