The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me

01-26-2025Weekly ReflectionFr. Augustine Acheme, VC

In today’s Gospel (Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21), we witness the powerful moment when Jesus, in the synagogue at Nazareth, declares the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad dings to the poor.” This moment marks the inauguration of His public ministry and reveals His mission to bring hope, healing, and libera on. For us, this declaration is not just a historical event but a call to reflect on how Christ’s mission continues through His body, the Church.

Jesus begins by reading from Isaiah- a passage rich with promises of freedom for captives, sight for the blind, and justice for the oppressed. These are not merely physical realities but spiritual ones as well. Captivity is not only the chains of a prison but also the weight of sin. Blindness is not just the inability to see but also the inability to recognize God’s presence. Christ’s mission is to transform every form of brokenness into wholeness, and He calls us to be part of this work.

The first reading from Nehemiah illustrates the power of God’s Word to s r the hearts of His people. As Ezra reads the law, the people are moved to weep, recognizing their need for repentance and renewal. Nehemiah encourages them to rejoice instead, reminding them that “rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength.” This parallels the Gospel’s message of libera on: encountering God’s Word calls us to transformation, but it also fills us with hope and joy.

St. Paul’s teaching in the second reading (1 Corinthians 12:12-30) complements this theme by reminding us that we are all parts of Christ’s body. Each one of us has been anointed by the Spirit and given unique gifts to contribute to the mission of the Church. Whether we are apostles, teachers, or caregivers, we are called to work together to proclaim the good news and serve the world with love.

When Jesus declares, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing,” He invites us to recognize that His mission continues in the present. Through baptism, we share in His anointing and are sent to be His hands and feet in the world. As we reflect on this Gospel, let us ask ourselves: How are we living out the mission of Christ in our daily lives? Are we bringing glad tidings to those in need, offering hope to the despairing, and working for justice and peace?

Let us embrace the Spirit of the Lord, trusting that He will guide us to live as faithful witnesses of His love and mercy. In doing so, we continue to fulfill the Scripture, bringing God’s light to a world in need.

Fr. Augustine Acheme VC