Coffee With God

Reflection: Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Today the Chruch celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God. It is a celebration instituted by Pope Francis in 2019, through the Apostolic Letter “Aperuit Illis” (which means: he opened their understanding). It is celebrated on the III Sunday of Ordinary Time of each year. With the universal Church, let us renew our commitment to read, study and pray with the Holy Scriptures. The Sunday of the Word of God reminds us to live by the Word, where our life should become our most eloquent sermon. Jesus in the Gospel insists on “today” as a day consecrated to God, a time of salvation, an occasion for joy and celebration. Luke wrote his Gospel to give a solid foundation to the faith of the Christians. He did not write it to convert the pagans, but for those who already believed in Jesus and wished to lay a solid foundation for their faith. Although Luke was not an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry, he attempts to gather his information from those who were witnesses of the works and teachings of Jesus to faithfully transmit his life and mission to his community. The second part of today’s passage (Lk 4:14-21) is the beginning of Jesus’ public life in his country. For Luke, it is the synthesis of all the activities of Jesus. It is Saturday, and people go to the synagogue to pray and hear the reading and explanation of God’s Word. On this day, Jesus, who is back in his village, acts as a reader. Jesus opens the book that was presented to him. Luke wants to make it clear to his readers that the sacred text is a closed book without Christ. After reading, Jesus sits, and all the eyes are fixed on him. It is an invitation to focus our gaze on Jesus alone and not on others. “Today” —Jesus begins to proclaim— “these prophetic words come true” (v. 21). Today, the word of Jesus begins to free us from all diseases and psychological and moral barriers that do not allow us to go forward in love of God and his people. Uncontrolled passions in pursuit of self-interest, thirst for possessions, the frenzy for power and success are the chains and barriers that prevent us from becoming children of God. These barriers begin to be crushed today through the irresistible force of the Holy Spirit (v. 14). The Holy Spirit is at work in Jesus not only when he performs miraculous healings but also when he comforts and encourages with his powerful Word (Lk 4:36). For your Reflection: Today begins the year of grace, a time of the endless feast because the Word of salvation to everyone, free and without conditions, is announced in God’s name.