Thursday after Ash Wednesday (March 6). GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR

Prepare to Listen.  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.
 
Prayerfully Read Luke 4:14-21
14Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country.  15He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.  16When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom.  He stood up to read, 17and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him.  He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
18‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
   because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
   and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free,
19to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
20And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down.  The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.  21Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’
 
Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect
“The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.”  All he’d done was read familiar verses from Isaiah 61!  Why do you think all eyes were fixed on him?  Would yours have been and would they be hostile or joyful?
 
He stood up, unrolled the scroll and read.  He rolled up the scroll, sat down and began to speak.  But the people were tuned in even before he spoke!  Why?  When he read, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,” did his tone of voice sound like he believed this was about him, that he’d come to fulfil it?  I’ve a sneaking suspicion it did and that’s why everyone’s eyes were fixed on him, some in hostility, others in joy.
 
They’re revolutionary words, depicting the year of Jubilee, the 50th year sabbatical.[1]  Jubilee is a year of justice—reordering society to ensure equality for all peoples.  It was a year to restore property, set prisoners (literal and spiritual) free, a year for God, not the people, to bring everything under God’s Rule.  It was good news for the poor, the despised, the powerless.  It was bad news for those wanting to control and order the world according to their beliefs, rules, wants.  They heard Jesus with hostility; no doubt they’d have sent him messages filled with hate and vitriol, not unlike messages sent today to those who preach good news to the poor and urge us to show mercy to the vulnerable.
 
When Jesus said, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing,” the Nazareth congregation expected the revolution to begin, which infuriated the powerful.
 
Jesus’ revolution continues.  How are you participating with him by reaching out to the most vulnerable in your community?
 
Prayerfully Respond
Lord, help me join you in the work of proclaiming freedom to the poor and oppressed by living in ways that aren’t oppressive and burdensome, but merciful and liberating.  Amen.
 
Live obediently.  Live as good news to the poor and vulnerable.
[1] See Leviticus 25:8-17.