Greetings on this the Thursday after Epiphany
Readings: 1 John 4:19–5:4; Psalm 72:1-2, 14 and 15bc, 17; Luke 4:14-22
Summary
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
Our gospel portion today is a critical part of our Epiphany. It is not others speaking, not the prophets of old, not the then modern contemporaries… but the Lord testifying about himself.
During Advent and the Christmas Octave sacred scripture has others speaking about Jesus: Shepherds, Magi, Herod, Simeon, Anna, Angels, Mary and Elizabeth among others I missed in the list!
But today Jesus describes himself and his mission by way of comparison and purpose.
Jesus, in the Spirit of the Lord, is set apart to bring glad tidings, proclaim liberty, bring recovery and lead us in praise of the Father.
Personal Reflection
Beloved:
Who indeed is the victor over the world
but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 Jn 5:5)
I would like to help Jesus in his victory. Do my part to make others glad, bring liberty and recovery and lead others in grateful prayer! In Jesus the Father’s will is fulfilled. In me, I wish to be fulfilled in receiving and dispensing these gifts.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010826.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry