THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Monday of 22nd week in Ordinary Time, 2021

1Thes 4 :13-18

Ps 96

Luke 4:16-30

Good news to the poor

Dear friends in Christ, the poor enjoy a special place in the ministry of Jesus and the mission of the Church. Countless holy men and women have chosen the way of poverty to express their faith and by so doing identify with those who have been made poor by the situation of their world. Identifying with those on the margins of history and working to alleviate their suffering opens our eyes to the joy that the poor share, which is often hidden from those who have too much of the world’s resources.

In our first reading today (1Thessalonians 4:13-18) Paul continues his letter to this new community by addressing some of their fears. Their understanding of the message of Paul was that the second coming of the Lord would happen soon. This nearness of the return meant that some had given up on getting themselves too busy, about the search for daily bread in order to get ready for the Lord’s return. There were others who were worried about the fate of their brothers and sisters who have died, if they would be deprived the opportunity to welcome the Lord. Paul encouraged them to go on doing their work and earning their living. On the dead he says, “Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” The living will have no advantage over the dead, God has plans for us all. These are words with which they must comfort one another.

Today we turn to the gospel of Luke (Luke 4:16-30) from where we will have our readings for the rest of the Liturgical season. It opens with the beginning of the prophetic mission of Jesus, in which he proclaims the whole purpose of his ministry, as a fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophesy (Is. 61:1,58:6 and 61:2) In it the prophet proclaims, “The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me, because he has anointed me to bring the good news to the poor…to proclaim release to captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty the oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Right from the beginning, the preference for the poor is clear. They will form the bulk of his followers and to them he will open the treasures of the kingdom. Jesus proclaimed, that the words of the prophet are being fulfilled as they listen. Many wondered at the gracious words that came from him. The leaders on the other hand, rejected him, for which he reminded them, that the prophets of old were rejected in like manner. To be true followers of Jesus, the poor must find a place with us. We must do what we can daily to help those who are in need. You may not be able to solve all the problems, do what you can.

Let us pray: Lord, we are witnesses to the sufferings in today’s world, give us the grace to do what we can to solve them. Amen. 

+Remain blessed