Christ's Ministry

My Dear parishioners,
 
Jesus’ words today, at the Beginning of his ministry are something like a priest’s sermon at his first Mass – on a theme really important to the priest. He knows he is appointed and chosen by God.
 
Jesus’ in this sermon presents his mission statement:
-              He is anointed by the Spirit of the Lord.
-              He cares for the poor and those who are looked down upon.
-              And that the Lord is always loving  by proclaiming the ‘year of the Lord’s favor.’
As Jesus stands in the synagogue, he reads from the scroll handed to him; it contains the words of the prophet Isaiah. At this early moment in his ministry, Jesus announces his mission in continuity with Israel's prophetic tradition. This reading from Isaiah defines Jesus' ministry. We will find more evidence of this as we continue to read from Luke's Gospel throughout the year. Jesus' ministry will include bringing glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives, healing to the sick, freedom to the oppressed, and proclaiming a year acceptable to the Lord.
 
Through this text from Isaiah, Jesus announces God's salvation. The “ year acceptable to the Lord” is a reference to the Jewish tradition of Sabbath years and jubilee. The Sabbath year was observed every seventh year. It was a year of rest when land was left fallow and food stores were to be shared equally with all. A year of Jubilee was celebrated every fiftieth year, the conclusion of seven cycles of Sabbath years. It was a year of renewal in which debts were forgiven and slaves were freed.
 
The Kingdom of God is now at hand. It is made present in Jesus, in his life, death, and Resurrection. Jesus will send the Holy Spirit so that the Kingdom of God can be fulfilled.
The Holy Spirit is Jesus' gift to the Church. The Holy Spirit enables the Church to continue the mission of Jesus. When we do what Jesus did, bring glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives, healing to the sick, and freedom to the oppressed, we serve the Kingdom of God.
 
God Bless,
Fr. Pawel