Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

Christ: The Good News to the World

Rev. Shinoi Joseph
Long Island MTC, NY

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” v. 18-19

The Gospel according to St. Luke 4:16-22 is known as Nazareth Manifesto of Jesus. Jesus begins his public ministry with the proclamation of his mission strategy by reading the scripture from prophet Isaiah in the synagogue at Nazareth. His manifesto reveals “who is he? What is his mission? And what does he bring to the world? This manifesto explains the mission for which he is incarnated into this world.  Based on Lk. 4:18, his mission is fourfold
1.    To bring good news to the poor
2.    To proclaim release to the captives.
3.    To give recovering of sight to the blind.
4.    To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

As this Sunday is Mission Sunday, based on the above passage let us reflect on the following theme:

“Christ: The Good News to the world”

Jesus Christ himself is God’s good news to the world as he elevates the lowly, gives freedom to the captives, enlightens the believing community and redeems the world. In Isaiah 40-66, the good news is that God has arrived. So the advent of Jesus is the good news to the world. St. Luke 4 reveals that it is the Spirit of the God that empowers Jesus to carry out the mission. Jesus is the anointed one. Life and ministry of Jesus was in line with his manifesto at Nazareth. Jesus proclaimed release to the persons who were under the various form of bondage (oppressions) like physical, socio-religio, economic and spiritual. He healed the lame and the crippled, forgiven the sinners like Zacchaeus, the woman who was caught in adultery and thief who was crucified with him. His teaching, preaching and healing ministry restores a new vision to the world. Jesus who said “I am the light” asked his followers to be the “light of the world.” The poor, the oppressed and the people at the margins are always at God’s favor. According to the Jewish tradition 50th year is the year of Lord’s favor, where Israel should proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. (Lev. 25). With the advent of Jesus this new era of God’s reign has started.

Church is called out to continue the mission which had its beginning in Jesus’ earthly ministry. As Jesus was empowered by God’s Spirit, the same Spirit should empower the Church to carry out her mission. As Jesus brought good news to the poor, relief to the oppressed, recovery of sight to the blind and redemption to the world, the Church’s mission should be in line with that. Jesus reinstates and elevates the lost, the least and the margins to the main stream of the society. The mission of the Church is same as that of Jesus’ mission.  As Christ has enlighten us so are we called to enlighten the world by giving the good news “Jesus Christ” to them. Thus the mission of the Church is to bring good news in the life of the poor, to provide freedom to those who are in captives of sins or other oppression, and to be an instrument of transformation. So mission of the church is not different from Jesus’ mission but is the continuation of Jesus’ mission. 

Thought for the day: Imbibing and Imitating Jesus in every aspect of life

Prayer: “O Lord, help me to understand that I am being enlightened by you to enlighten others.” Amen!

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more