Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”    Luke 4 : 20 - 21

Reading for this week : Luke 4 : 14 - 21

Thought for the week

Already 2022 has moved on. Projects are taking shape, families have had births and new beginnings. Even the sameness of news seems in a new phase, with new freedoms from restrictions expected.

In our Gospel reading Jesus returns to His earthly home of Nazareth. Yet His visit is seemingly to burn bridges. He is respected by the people at first, and praised. Yet Jesus did not come just to be given earthly accolades. As He reads from Isaiah’s prophecy, it is clear He has come to change our lives, transform our relationship with God, to put right and to set free.

The episode ends with Jesus being hounded out of town, because He has come to upset, to stir, to bring justice, and to set us truly free from all that shackles, from ‘the sin that so easily entangles’ (Hebrews 12 : 1).

Jesus offers us true freedom that lasts, that transforms, that calls all people back to the Lord who even restores spiritual sight to see things as they truly are, and reaches the prisoners locked in by fear, prejudice, loneliness, and all the other gaolers to afflict our lives.

Prayer for this week

God of all mercy,

your Son proclaimed good news to the poor,

release to the captives, and freedom to the oppressed:

anoint us with your Holy Spirit and set all your people free

to praise you in Christ our Lord.

Amen.