REFLECTION:
After Jesus’ proclamation in the synagogue, the hearers “looked intently at him.” What were they expecting from Jesus? An explanation of what they had just heard, yes. But Jesus moves his hearers beyond receiv-ing mere explanation of the word to encountering him as the Word made flesh. In this he also announces his saving mission: to meet the needs of the poor, the captives, the blind, the oppressed. Our hearing the Word today invites us to participate in these saving deeds as, through us, the Word continues to be made flesh.
- The expectations that motivate me in my everyday living are . . .
- What I expect from the Word of God is . . . . . . . . .What I expect from the Word of Jesus is . . .
- I continue Jesus’ mission to the poor, captives, blind, and oppressed whenever I . . .
Connecting the Gospel
to the first reading: Both the first reading and the gospel indicate the value the Israelites placed upon the word of God proclaimed in a public gathering. For them the very proclamation of God’s law and word
revealed the holiness and presence of God.
to our experience: Media inundates us with words. New technologies such as text messaging often reduce words to mere information sending. Word as proclamation is far more than swapping information in abbreviated forms; proclamation is presence, power, invitation to action, fullness.
Reprinted with permission of Liturgical Press from: Living Liturgy