27 January 2019. Lk 1: 1-4; 4: 14-21
The Gospel of this Sunday begins with a short introduction in which St. Luke tells us his purpose in writing this Gospel: so that you may know the soundness of the teachings that those who were witnesses of the mission of Jesus left us and then the preachers of the Word (the Apostles). He places Jesus, at the start of his mission, in the synagogue of Nazareth, “as he usually did on the sabbath”.
There, after reading the text from Isaiah, under the impulse of the Holy Spirit, and before the expectant assembly, Jesus has no qualms in proclaiming that these words of the Prophet “ARE FULFILLED TODAY”. Jesus knows that he has beenanointed with the power of the Spirit and sent to fulfil the will of the Father: to announce and to make present the Good News of salvation. These are not just promises. Those who follow him are able toattest tojust how they are fulfilled. The signs (miracles) that he performs show that a new era has arrived. It is the moment that those who suffer whatever kind of evil are given hope and feel touched by the hand of God.
“Today (27 January 2019) the scripture you have just heard is being fulfilled”. God makes himself present in our lives. He proclaims the Good News and he challenges us to be its messengers, bringing it to the poor, the blind, to all who suffer. We also have our eyes fixed on him, just as everyone in the synagogue, and we do not remain in simple admiration but rather feeling encouraged and, impelled by the Spirit, that our life may be a liberating presence for our brothers and sisters.
Juan Ramón Gómez Pascual, cmf
