handed him the book of the prophet Isaiah. Jesus then unrolled the scroll and found the
place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me to bring
good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and new sight to the blind; to free the
oppressed and announce the Lord’s year of mercy.” Then he said to them, “Today these
prophetic words come true even as you listen.”

All agreed with him and were lost in wonder, while he kept on speaking of the grace of God.
Nevertheless they asked, “Who is this but Joseph’s son?” Jesus added, “No prophet is
honored in his own country. Truly, I say to you, there were many widows in Israel in the days
of Elijah, when the heavens withheld rain for three years and six months and a great famine
came over the whole land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow of
Zarephath, in the country of Sidon. On hearing these words, the whole assembly became
indignant. They rose up and brought him out of the town, to the edge of the hill on which
Nazareth is built, intending to throw him down the cliff. But he passed through their midst
and went his way.

Reflect

Many businesses and organizations have a mission statement that tells people their
purpose, goals, and values. They print this statement on company reports and post
it on their website so that customers and employees know what they are about.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus visits the synagogue in his hometown and, in his reading
from the prophet Isaiah, shares the mission statement that will describe his public
ministry. Jesus’ ministry is to proclaim the Kingdom of God. God’s kingdom is marked
by healing, freedom, and mercy. It brings good news to all who are willing to hear.

As followers of Jesus, we share his mission statement. We too are called to bring
healing to a troubled world, to share mercy and forgiveness with our brothers and
sisters, and to spread the good news to all we meet so that they too may live in the
freedom of the children of God. This is the call of the missionary disciple.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2023