Gospel of Luke, chapter 4:21
When Jesus stood up in the Synagogue of Nazareth, His hometown, He declared His mission to his own kinsfolk by quoting from the prophet Isaiah:
“The spirit of the Lord is upon me because He anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19).
This mission statement was great news to the poor, to those held captive, to the blind, to the oppressed, and to everyone who looked forward to the fulfillment of Jesus’ mission of redemption. But it was not good news to those who rejected Jesus’ mission (Matthew 25:31-46). It was not good to those who were only out for themselves which appears to have been the case with His own kinfolk in Nazareth who tried to kill him.
Instead of being like a politician who makes promises which he cannot keep, Jesus tells us that His promises are already fulfilled. The promise of the prophet Isaiah was already fulfilled in Jesus at the moment He began His ministry. This is very good news for all of us for it means that God’s plan is already complete and it is not based on what we will do but on what God has already done for us. Every genuine Christian knows that he or she is called to be faithful, not successful.
Jesus’ kinfolk in Nazareth were ready to acknowledge that He was an awesome teacher who impressed them by “the eloquent words he spoke” (Luke 4:22), but their admiration stopped there. He was Joseph’s son to them, a carpenter who could make a yoke for their prized oxen or a table and chairs for their home. But they were not going to allow Jesus, the carpenter, to be their Messiah. As a result of their lack of faith, He performed no miracles in Nazareth.
The people of Nazareth were indisposed to follow Jesus because of their superficial familiarity with Him as the poor carpenter and the son of Joseph. They were unable to accept Him as the Son of God.
Who is Jesus to you? Is He the Son of Joseph? Is He a great teacher who impresses you with His extraordinary insights?
Or is He the Son of God?
This question demands a response that is life altering.
Fr. Hugh Duffy
6 Comments
Jan
He is the son of God. My Lord and Savior!
Maureen Ford
Jesus is the One to whom I can say “Jesus I trust in You” and mean it. I can hand Him my worries and move on with my life, because He died for me before I was even born. The Holy Spirit blessed me with this gift after I used The Novena to the Holy Spirit a few times. Thanks Almighty God.
Rachel
Yes, He is the Messiah!…the Son of God.
Open our hearts and our mind to listen to you O Lord.
Thank you Father Duffy for this explanation of the Gospel…it is helping us to grow in faith.
This little video is so inspiring, so beautiful and so true.
Union de prières,
Rachel – Canadian Snowbird in Okeechobee
Richard
Unlike so many others who remember the time and circumstances when they accepted Jesus as their personal Savior and started their walk following Him, I can’t recall NOT following Him, Not accepting His teachings.
Raised in a good Catholic home, taught by the good Sisters
I have never know a time when I did’t feel His presence. I am now 69 and He has been there through MANY crisis.
Lynn
I can relate to Richard’s comment. I was blessed to be raised by parents in a faith filled home and taught by the good Sisters. Sometimes we “cradle Catholics” can take our faith for granted because it has always been there. But I cannot imagine how those without faith make it through life. To me it is like the air we breathe. Vital, necessary, and a gift. Our greatest treasure.
Hugh Duffy
Wow! Your comments inspire me.