Scripture:
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Luke 4:16-30
Reflection:
What is our mission? What is our propose? Why are we here?
In today’s gospel, Jesus proclaims his mission which included:
— to bring glad tidings to the poor,
— recovery of sight to the blind,
— release to prisoners.
We are the baptized. The Spirit of Jesus is upon us. The mission of Jesus is our mission. What does that mean?
The poor need to know the glad tidings that they are rich in the love of God. We can point to the cross and preach Christ crucified, as the apostle Paul. We can also respect the poor, affirm their goodness, listen to their heartaches, and serve them. When they experience the followers of Jesus loving them unconditionally, the poor will come to believe that they are beloved of God.
Many people are blinded by prejudice, can’t see to the dignity of human life, and don’t understand the importance of caring for the earth. When they see our joy in living by God’s law, their eyes will be open to a new path for their lives.
There are those who are imprisoned by greed, captive to selfishness, enslaved by fear and chained down by a lack of hope. When they see us living in true freedom, they will come to wonder. Then we can introduce them to the Lord Jesus, that they too may experience the liberty of those who follow his words and example.
Yes, our mission is clear. It is the same as Jesus proclaimed in today’s gospel. But, like Jesus, we too will run in to anger and rejection. So we go forth, strengthened by Word and Sacrament. We go forth in community, supporting one another. We go forth confident that the "convincing power of the Spirit" will be with us. Our faith and our purpose rests not on the wisdom of men but on the power of God.
Fr. Alan Phillip, C.P. is a member of the Passionist Community at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California. http://www.alanphillipcp.com/