In today’s
Gospel from Luke the congregation that was listening to Jesus read from the
scroll the passage from Isaiah and then to complete it by adding, “Today this
Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing,” could have only meant two
things to do those who were listening.
The first interpretation could have been, “He (Jesus) is reminding us
that God’s spirit is with us all and that these days will be blessed because of
God’s presence among us.” The other
interpretation could have been a more literal one, i.e. is He saying He is the
fulfillment of that passage? Does He
mean to tell us He is the anointed one?
Yes and yes!
That is why
just a little bit later Jesus says, “Surely you will quote me this passage,
physician heal yourself.” He says this
so there could be no mistake He was speaking literally, i.e. He (Jesus) is the
fulfillment of the Kingdom of God on earth.
Many did not
understand that yet in Jesus’ time, others would eventually come to believe
through Jesus’ words and actions proving He was the Messiah. We all have come to believe it since we are
here worshiping. Nevertheless, Jesus
still says to us right here and right now, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled
in your hearing.” It begs the question
of us, do we believe it and if yes, then do we also help bring about the
kingdom of God in this world?
For some, to
bring about the kingdom here on earth means, attending mass and prayer. That is just one component. We are to bring the kingdom to others through
the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, especially this Jubilee Year of
Mercy. As a reminder for all of us here
they are in an easy list we can remember.
The Corporal
Works of Mercy
feed the
hungry
give drink to the thirsty
clothe the naked
shelter the homeless
visit the sick
visit the imprisoned
bury the dead
give drink to the thirsty
clothe the naked
shelter the homeless
visit the sick
visit the imprisoned
bury the dead
The
Spiritual Works of Mercy
counsel the
doubtful
instruct the ignorant
admonish sinners
comfort the afflicted
forgive offenses
bear wrongs patiently
pray for the living and the dead
instruct the ignorant
admonish sinners
comfort the afflicted
forgive offenses
bear wrongs patiently
pray for the living and the dead
Not everyone
is drawn to the same works, some love to visit the sick while others more like
teachers and gravitate towards instructing the ignorant or counseling the
doubtful. During this great Jubilee year
we really need to look at these works, one at a time and try to practice them
as best we can, again some may be more to our suiting but also the Lord may be
pulling us out of our comfort zone.
Either way please pray about it and incorporate them into your life,
they help build virtue and holiness and give us great joy knowing that we are
being another Christ to someone\s. We
are bringing about the kingdom so that no matter what we are doing and where we
are doing it we can say along with our Lord, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled
in your hearing.” God bless you, Fr.
John
Ive often thought that the God challenges us to do, to give, and to practice such things as just-mercy so that we can experience more of His kingdom by living in the faith that He will show us His ministry within our actions and increase our belief and knowledge of Himself and the kingdom in which we should be loyal servants and family. We see it throughout Scripture as people are asked to move beyond where they may be willing to go. It is these callings to help others that lead us to know that God is our only hope above all things had or for which we hope in thinking that such are worthy of our confidence. We should think of our gifts as that which is to be given to others for God, as He will consider it as unto Him. It is true that we will be known by our love, and just the same way it is how the kingdom is made familiar. God bless you, your parish, and those we serve.
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