MY daily reflection and prayer:
Sunday, January 24, 2016
The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Sunday of Interreligious Affair in the Arcdiocese of Semarang
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-22
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things which have been accomplished among us, just as they were delivered to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the truth concerning the things of which you have been informed.
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and a report concerning him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the Sabbath day. And he stood up to read; and there was given to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?”
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
In the first part of the Gospel we read today (Luke 1:1-4), St. Luke tells us that his Gospel is utterly believable. He writes that his Gospel based on the experience of faith of those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word.
The Gospel of St. Luke’s sources come from firsthand witnesses who knew Jesus personally, heard him teach, saw his miracles, and witnessed his atoning death on the cross and his resurrection to everlasting life. Based on this firsthand witnesses, St. Luke wants to proclaim the truth to each of us concerning Jesus of Nazareth who was sent from the Father in heaven and anointed by the Holy Spirit to bring us the good news and power of God’s mercy.
Who is Theophilus whom St. Luke address to? First of all, Theophilus might be his friend. Secondly, Theophilus may be also each of us who read his Gospel. Theophilus is a name which means beloved of God. St. Luke wants his friend and all of us who read his Gospel to konw Jesus of Nazareth.
In the second part of the Gospel we read today (Luke 4:14-22), St. Luke tells us that Jesus of Nazareth was sent from the Father in heaven and anointed by the Holy Spirit to bring us the good news and power of God’s mercy. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah, “the Spirit is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” (Isaiah 61:1-2).
St. Luke tells us that after reading this text, Jesus began to say to the crowd, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” By this word Jesus wanted to awaken people’s hope in God’s promises. He challenged them to believe the word God had spoken through the prophets and the word he now speaks in God’s name through the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist we worship Jesus Christ who is really presenting the face of God’s mercy for us. There we trust in him who renews and strengthens us in faith, hope, and love.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, you come to bring us healing and restoration, pardon and freedom from the oppression of sin, despair, hopelessness, and destruction. Renew in us the joy of the Gospel and the freedom to live each day with trusting faith and joyful hope now and forever. Amen.
»̶·̵̭̌·̵̭̌✽̤̈̊•Ɓέяќǎђ•Đǎlєm•✽̤̥̈̊·̵̭̌·̵̭̌«̶
“abdi Dalem palawija”
Majalah INSPIRASI, Lentera yang Membebaskan
Komisi Hubungan Antaragama dan Kepercayaan Keuskupan Agung Semarang
Photo credit: Edmund
