Gospel of Luke, chapter 4:21

Most companies and organizations have a mission statement that provides a reason for existing: a guide for the actions and decision-making of the organization; and an overall goal that offers a path for growth.

The American Constitution, one could argue, is the mission statement of the United States Government. It provides the political theory that should guide the policies and actions of each Government in power.

What about Jesus? What kind of mission statement did He leave us? When He stood up in the synagogue of Nazareth, He proclaimed His mission, as described by the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah chapter 61): to preach the Good News to the poor; to liberate prisoners and the oppressed; and to give sight to the blind. These three things have continued to inspire Jesus’ followers ever since: spreading the good news; working for justice; and showing compassion to all. It is significant that Jesus omits the sentence from the passage of the prophet Isaiah that reads: “A year of vengeance for our God”. That is because the Gospel of Jesus is “good news”, not a call for vengeance. Jesus came to save, not to condemn. At the conclusion, Jesus says (Luke 4:2): “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

It is always “today” that God speaks to us. It is always “today” that He fulfills His promise to us by giving us hope in the midst of trials; by raising us up when we feel discouraged; and by renewing us constantly in His love. And, it is always “today” that we need to answer Him, as psalm 95 reminds us:
“If today you hear His voice
Harden not your hearts.”

Do not consider yourself less privileged than those listeners in Jesus’ time who heard His message. The people of Nazareth who heard Him expelled Him from the Synagogue, and tried to kill Him. Yet, His teaching survives not only in us, but in the hearts of people of good will all over the world whom He selects as instruments for transmitting and living the good news of the Gospel.

Every time we read God’s word or hear it read in church, we need to direct the eyes of our soul on the One who fulfilled these words. Jesus, not only declared His mission to the people in the Synagogue of Nazareth. He is the embodiment of that mission to the whole world, now and forever, day by day.

Fr. Hugh Duffy