Gospel: Luke 4:14-22
Jesus acted with the power of the Spirit; and on his return to Galilee, the news about him spread throughout all that territory. He began teaching in the synagogues of the Jews and everyone praised him.
When Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, as he usually did. He stood up to read, and they handed him the book of the prophet Isaiah. Jesus then unrolled the scroll and found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me, to bring good news to the poor; to proclaim liberty to captives; and new sight to the blind; to free the oppressed; and to announce the Lord’s year of mercy.”
Jesus then rolled up the scroll, gave it to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he said to them, “Today, these prophetic words come true, even as you listen.” All agreed with him, and were lost in wonder, while he spoke of the grace of God. Nevertheless, they asked, “Who is this but Joseph’s Son?”
Reflection:
Love those whom God loves.
St. Alphonsus Ma. de Liguori, the founder of the Redemptorists, once stated that those who love God must also love those whom God loves. This form of love brings us joy and helps us grow into better and holier individuals. It is a love inspired by the Spirit that encourages us to respond to the needs of those around us within our abilities. After all, didn’t Jesus identify himself with the least, the last, and the lost? We serve them because it is our calling as Christians to engage in the mission of Christ and realize God’s kingdom in the here and now.
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