Some things challenge credibility, some more than others. Perhaps. the greatest challenge to human credibility…is the fact that God could and did become man! (This fact was the undoing of some of the angels!)  The first reading recounts the first assembly of the Hebrews returned from exile. They accepted the word of God as read to them by Ezra the priest -whole-heartedly and with great reverence.

In today’s Gospel, the response of the people with Jesus in the Nazareth synagogue

was no less whole-hearted, but quite different, almost tragic. Another similar reaction to Jesus – we heard in the Gospel yesterday. The relatives of Jesus thought he was ‘out of his mind’ or ‘beside himself’. No doubt, they may have thought they were acting responsibly.

Let’s take another look at this Gospel text.  St Luke is actually describing the ancient Jewish worship service in the synagoge at Nazareth, Jesus’s home town. Jesus is the guest Rabbi. No doubt , this was not his first time there. He is handed a scroll which he slowly unrolls. He then reads aloud from Isaiah (61:1-2). “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,

THEREFORE, HE HAS ANOINTED ME.  HE HAS SENT ME TO BRING GLAD TIDINGS TO THE POOR, TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO CAPTIVES, RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND AND RELEASE TO PRISONERS. TO ANNOUNCE A YEAR OF FAVOR FROM THE LORD.”  He then rolls up the scroll and sits down.  While they ponder the meaning of this passage and the identity of the person of whom Isaiah is speaking’….Jesus finally says: ”TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE IS FULFILLED IN YOUR HEARING.”  He is claiming to be the Messiah and the prophet is referring to him.  We know their response.

   Here it is, 21 centuries later. We hear the very same words read at Mass, and we may question if Jesus has fulfilled the promises he made.  We acknowledge him as Messiah, the One anointed by God. We address him as CHRIST (‘‘the Anointed One “). We also assert that he did and still does carry out his pledges to the poor, the captives, the blind and prisoners.  We should notice that he did not promise to make the poor – rich. But to bring them glad tidings, the “Good News”.

The world today, more than ever, is full of poor people….but, because of the life and teaching of Jesus, they can better cope with poverty (and helped by some of the rich). Christianity has brought “Good News” to the poor in many ways, e.g. through the lives of such saints as Francis of Assisi, Mother Teresa, St Vincent de Paul, and countless Christian charitable organizations. The blind still physically without sight, have faith and hope in Jesus, ’which gives them deeper insight into the meaning of their deprivation, and acceptance of their unique cross. Captives and prisoners can now experience great freedom of spirit, if they turn to the Lord asking for forgivehss while attempting to reform their lives.

   The Lord Jesus came to bring us inner peace and freedom regardless of external

circumstances.  If we interpret his promises literally, that is externally, he would be a failure – as long as there were poor, blind and captive people!  In many ways the

external world seems unaffected by Jesus. His words however, are addressed to the human heart, the human spirit.

 It doesn’t look – like that any time soon the world can ever be free of crime, disease and pain, but the human heart can find hope, liberty and glad tidings – Good News – by accepting the person and message of the Messiah.

   This Sunday, and day by day, let us be grateful for the faith…that enables us to say – and believe – that Jesus of Nazareth is the anointed One, the Christ that died, is Risen, and is to come! Amen!

                                                      (Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6,8-10, l Cor 12:12-30, Lk l:l-4,4:l4-21)                                              Fr Alan