Contents
Introduction
“Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed” (Luke 1:1–4). At the beginning of the Gospel according to Luke, the author did something wonderful and worthy of emulation. He recognized, acknowledged and praised the work of those who preceded him. This is a virtue and quality many people in authority do not possess. The virtue of recognition and continuity.
Jesus’ mission manifesto
“And he entered, as his custom was, on the Sabbath, in the Synagogue and he stood up to read and he was given the book/scroll of prophet Isaiah and unrolling the book he found the place where it was written the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for this he has anointed me: to bring the Good News to the poor he has sent me, to proclaim liberation/freedom to the prisoners to the blind the recovery of sight, to send the oppressed away/free, to proclaim the year acceptable to the Lord. He rolled up the book. And gave it back to the attendant and sat down” (Luke 4:16b-20).
Jesus gives homily
After reading the passage from Isaiah, Jesus “rolled up the book. And gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the Synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:20–21). After reading his program, Jesus delivered his homily. As Luke explains, the eyes of everyone in the Synagogue were fixed on him, as he delivered his undiluted and spirit-filled homily. That their eyes were fixed on him alludes to the enthusiasm with which they waited for his words. And he did not disappoint them. The same way people fix their eyes on the Pastors after reading the Gospel, to hear the word of God. Unfortunately, many people remain disappointed because instead of giving the people the word of God, many Pastors deviate leaving the people starved. The time for homily is an important moment. It is a time for teaching, formation, correction, strengthening, encouragement, education and calling people to consciousness. It is not a time to take up issues that have no connection with the Gospel and other readings of the day or of the moment. It is through sound homily that people receive spiritual and physical healings or fulfilment.
Conclusion
Those who hate the truth will always react negatively to the truth because they are sons and daughters of darkness. But we must insist on the truth for as the scripture says, it is the only thing that can set one free. Let us imitate Jesus in our daily activities. More especially, let us submit ourselves to the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit. On no account should the message of the Gospel be diverted or compromised. The government and those in authority should know it is their duty to alleviate the physical sufferings of the people. On the other hand, religious leaders and especially Christian leaders should know it is their duty to call the government and civil leaders to order. It is also their responsibility to alleviate the spiritual sufferings of the people by giving them the right teaching and by not befriending and encouraging those who do not care about the sufferings of the people. Let Christian leaders tell the people what they should be told and not what they would prefer to hear.
FOR DETAILS, GET YOUR OWN COPIES OF THE BOOK “THE WORD OF LIFE: SUNDAY REFLECTIONS” (vols. I‑II-III)!! The reflection for the 3rd Sunday of the year © is found in vol. III pages 86–97. Happy reading!
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