Between Sundays for Week of January 27, 2025
In Jesus’ first act of public ministry (after his baptism and 40 days of temptation in the wilderness), back in his hometown of Nazareth, Jesus re-introduces himself to the people who have known him all his life. We might think of Jesus’ words as his inaugural address, sharing the vision for his ministry, announcing his mission as the Son of God.
Jesus relies on the well-known words of the prophet Isaiah, recalling God’s promise to send the one on whom the Spirit of the Lord rests, anointed to bring good news. And what does “bringing good news” look like? It looks like “release to the captives” and “recovery of sight to the blind” and letting “the oppressed go free.”
This is not just Jesus’ purpose; it’s ours too. The Spirit of the Lord is upon each and every one of us in baptism. We are anointed to bring good news.
Lest we think this is an easy word to proclaim, we will hear next week about how Jesus’ words led his own friends and neighbors to drive him out of town and threaten to throw him off a cliff.
In our own day, we need to look no further than the uproar surrounding The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde’s plea for mercy at the end of her sermon during the inaugural prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral on Monday, January 20, to realize that Jesus’ mission is no less controversial today.
We are not all preachers, but we all share the good news through our various roles. Whether through teaching, healing or assisting in other ways, we are all anointed to share the good news. And when we feel intimidated, overwhelmed or downright scared, we are assured that the power of the Spirit makes it possible for us to do that which we would otherwise not have the strength or wisdom to do. When you doubt whether you have what you need to keep sharing this good news, remember this truth:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon YOU,
because he has anointed YOU to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent YOU 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. (Luke 4:18-19)
Thanks be to God!
P.S. Watch Sunday’s service and view past services on the Share in Worship page of BLC’s website!
P.P.S. If you’re wondering how to support those impacted by the California Wildfires, Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is one option. Your gifts equip LDR to respond to communities affected by wildfires and related disasters. Gifts to “U.S. Wildfires” will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by wildfires until the response is complete.
If you’re wondering how to support immigrants, Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services) is the ELCA’s partner for this important ministry.
Faith Connection at Home
Patty Chaffee
Family Faith Formation Coordinator
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Ponderings
Teresa of Avila (1515–1582)
Christ Has No Body
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
Read more about St. Teresa here.
