3rd Sunday in Ordinary time: "His mission - our mission"

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me . . . he has anointed me"

Luke 1: 1-4; 4: 14-21

The Word: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012719.cfm

Presidents, Prime Ministers, even the Pope will offer at certain times, solemn important speeches that set a tone for the present and the future. In this Country, the President at the time of his/her inauguration will speak to the Nation they now lead and will establish a vision for America with lofty goals and promises. Those of us old enough to remember the sunny but very cold January morning when the new President John Kennedy spoke words that have been quoted numerous times: “Ask not what your Country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” is likely one of the most memorable and inspiring. Such quotable statements set a vision, a direction in which to move forward. People will listen intently to their words and analyze what they mean.

The Pope in his annual address to the “City and the World” will do the same each year on January 1^st.  We hope to hear some words of hope, encouragement, some positive direction and words of peace and comfort. In fact, this parish and most others will compose a “mission statement” that will describe our vision of how we at this particular parish will live out the Gospel of Christ.  It describes who we are and who we hope to become through God’s grace.   

This Sunday we hear another inaugural address of sorts - in this case, from Jesus himself. The author of this Gospel, Luke, makes an effort to tell us that the events we are about to read are absolutely verified as true. What the Christians of his time had been hearing about Jesus is certain.  We can place our faith confidently in what we have come to believe about Jesus’ mission in the world.

So, there is no doubt that Jesus own reputation had already preceded him when he came to his hometown of Nazareth as we hear in the Gospel this Sunday. His very familiar synagogue assembly, was his mother among the women gathered (?), knew him well and knew his mother Mary and presumed father, Joseph. So, as he is given the great honor to read the words from Isaiah and present a commentary (homily) on them, the crowd “looked intently at him” to hear what he would say. With conviction, Jesus did more than just read words as others before him had done.  He boldly assumed to himself the content of what he had read far beyond what any Rabbi or prophet before him had done or would even imagine doing.

His word is solid; his word is deeply personal and his word has a power of its own. The chosen reading from Isaiah handed to Jesus foretold a vision of hope and healing to a broken world and a year of favor granted by the Lord in which all debts are forgiven. The promise was not about finances or increased pay.  This person would come to establish a new kingdom, a new relationship directly from God that would rearrange history.  Yet when Jesus boldly stated: “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing” we are left in a sense hanging by a thread.  We were told earlier that his teaching was “. . . praised by all.”

But the operative word Jesus assumed was: “today.” At this moment in time, in this synagogue, in this town of Nazareth, in this world around us, God’s kingdom has arrived.  Jesus of Nazareth has been anointed as the one who will bring this about! Jesus is not just another prophet, rabbi, teacher or guru.  He is the living Son of God come among us and his word and his person is to be received with joy and humility.  

This "mission statement" in the words of Isaiah that Jesus read described how the words of Isaiah were now being fulfilled in Jesus himself.  That he has been filled with the “Spirit of the Lord . . .” and he will be the one who will bring hope to the poor, freedom to captives, will heal the blind, untie the limitations that have bound people in sin and oppression, and will establish a “year” in which the Lord will finally take charge of the world’s direction.  

As the audience sat likely stunned by Jesus’ implication, there may have been a moment of silence as his words sank in to their hearts and minds.  Next week we will hear the reaction of those gathered in the synagogue who rather quickly absorbed the implications of his bold connection.   

The first reading from Nehemiah and the reading of the sacred law by Ezra the scribe with rapt attention from the crowds further enhances this message.  The crowds – “. . . bowed down and prostrated themselves before the Lord, their faces to the ground” is an impressive reverence for that sacred word.  The lost and wandering Jews forgot who they were.  Ezra, in proclaiming the words of the sacred Law, renewed their vision and their identity.  In the word that was read to them, they learned anew who had called them, formed them, and who desires a new relationship. 

And for us today who hear this passage, it is intended to have the same effect on us. We too should be called to attention.  Our response is not one of “same old, same old” but as if we hear it for the first time as did the crowd in the synagogue.  But, what was at the heart of Jesus’ words today; the core of his “inaugural address?” All are chosen by God and in and through Christ Jesus, we form a new connection with each other as his Body the Church.

So, Paul reminds us today as he did his own Corinthian Christian community, that “You are Christ’s body, and individually part of it.” The diversity of the Church and its unity is created not through our efforts but rather is formed and shaped by the Spirit of God.

Yet, considering all the challenges in the modern world that is a daunting task and we well know that it is not consistent with what we often hear and see on our evening news. But imagine the time of the early Christians living under a hostile pagan government with despotic and power hungry rulers whose single word was law with Christians being targeted for bloody persecutions at times.  By comparison our lives today have far more advantages to carry on this mission.

Today – now – this moment we carry forth what Jesus himself began.  In hearing these same ancient words, we see them as living and active.  The “inaugural address” given by Jesus establishes our identity as a Christian people.  Healing a broken world is ultimately God’s work but as his hands, feet, eyes, the many parts of his Body in the world, we do our share in building up his Kingdom. How can you as a married person, as single, as an ordained minister or consecrated religious carry on this mission according to our state in life?

The same Spirit which compelled Jesus into the desert, anointed him for the mission his Father had entrusted, which descended on the Apostles, and breathes life into the Church, the Body of Christ, has come upon us in our Baptism.  The very essence of our Christian lives is to discern our mission as a part in the mission of Christ.  May be become all healers, peacemakers, servants after the example of Jesus’ himself. 

"By word and deed he announced to the world

that you are our Father

and that you care for all your sons and daughters . . ."

(Eucharistic Prayer for various needs IV:

"Jesus, who went about doing good"