The Spirit of the Lord is upon me

1 Jn 4:19-5:4, Lk. 4:14-22. Today's first reading reminds us that we are children of the living God. John builds on the theme from the Baptism of Jesus as the one who is manifested as the Son of God. John reminds us that through our Baptism we become children of God. As children of the same Father, we must love not only our Father and Brother, Jesus, but all other adopted children of God. We are liars if we say we love the Father and do not love our brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus, the other adopted, or potentially adopted, children of God. Through Baptism, we are truly made part of the family of God, as Baptism brings us into relationship with other people. Hence, we are called to treat others as fellow members of a loving family.

Today's Gospel builds on the manifestation of Jesus Christ as the “The Anointed One”. When Jesus returns to His hometown, He begins His ministry in the Synagogue by reading from the prophet Isaiah: "The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me. He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives...to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour." Through His manifesto, Jesus challenges our image of God who has the power to transform us, enrich us in our poverty, bring us freedom where we were captive, enlighten our blindness, restore our sense of belonging to God, regardless of our past. In the mission of Christ, the grace of God is established, the mercy of God is brought close to the poor, captives, blind, downtrodden and the disabled. However, the post-script to this Good News was that miracles would be rare and unpredictable. This was not well received by His listeners. By the time He finished speaking, they were furious to throw Him down over the edge of the cliff. At this moment, the vision of God represented by Christ was so big for them to comprehend. The Holy Spirit anoints Jesus as “The Anointed One of God” – “The Messiah” – “The Christ” – The One Chosen to proclaim the Good News, liberty and freedom, healing and a time of favour from God. By this mission He was sent to be born in human flesh and dwell amongst us.

May the Lord make His love perfect in us by our total surrender and obedience to the will of the Father, so that we will receive liberation from our sins and find our way to eternal life! Amen!! Good morning and have a glorious day!!!