Scripture Readings: The Kingdom is Here

Isaiah 61:1-3

Good News

61The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.

Luke 4:14-30

Jesus Makes an Announcement

14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee…. 16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’

20And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ The Crowd Changes Its Mind

22All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, ‘Is not this Joseph’s son?’ 23He said to them, ‘Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, “Doctor, cure yourself!” And you will say, “Do here also in your home town the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.” ’ 24And he said, ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town. 25But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up for three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; 26yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.’ 28When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 29They 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. 30But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

Luke 7:18-23

Jesus Answers John the Baptist’s Question

18 The disciples of John reported all these things to him. So John summoned two of his disciples 19and sent them to the Lord to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ 20When the men had come to him, they said, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” ’ 21Jesus had just then cured many people of diseases, plagues, and evil spirits, and had given sight to many who were blind. 22And he answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them. 23And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’

Questions for Careful Reading of the Scripture Texts

 Compare the Isaiah reading with the words Jesus used in the synagogue (Lk 4:18-19). What did Jesus emphasise? What did he leave out? Why do you think he left out parts of the text? Have a look at John 3:16-17.

 What kinds of people has the anointed one (Is 61:1) come to help? What do these people have in common?

 Why did Jesus’ audience move from admiration to rage?

 How do you think Jesus escaped the angry mob?

 How does Jesus’ answer (Lk 7:22) relate to John’s question (Lk 7:19)? Would John have been satisfied with it? Could it have reminded John of Isaiah 61? If so, what would he have thought of Jesus?

Questions for Personal Reflection & Application

 Have you ever felt called by God to a particular task, career, relationship, or way of life? Is it possible that God is calling & you haven’t noticed? How could you tune in to the call?

 Who are the oppressed, broken-hearted, captives, prisoners & mourners in your community? What is God’s good news for them? Do you have a role in making the good news happen?

 Could there be unacknowledged prophets in your parish? Who might they be? How can you as an individual or as a parish, help them answer God’s call?

 Why did Jesus go to the synagogue each week? Why do you (or don’t you) go to church regularly?

 John’s disciples ask who Jesus is. Jesus responds by telling what he does. When people look at what you do, what can they tell about who you are? Could they guess you are a follower of Jesus? How?

 What would need to change in your home, your place of work, or your parish to make it more nearly resemble the kingdom of God as Jesus described it? Could any of these changes begin this year?

Prayer

This prayer is attributed to St. Teresa of Avila, a 16th century Carmelite nun known for her writings, her reforms & her deep spirituality. Spend a few moments silently reflecting on what this prayer means for you.

Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes to see the needs of the world. Yours are the hands with which to bless everyone now. Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good.