Luke 4:14-21        Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to bring 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."

And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ 

Reflection        When we consider the broad sweep of Jesus birth, life, ministry, suffering and death we cannot help but notice how consistently Jesus respects the value and uniqueness of each person he encounters. In all that he says and all that he does Jesus intends to actually fulfill the commands of the Hebrew tradition in which he is steeped; the commands to give priority to his relationship with God and the care of the most vulnerable people whom he encounters. But how is he able to do this? I believe the answer is at least twofold.

First and foremost, Jesus embraces his dependence upon God, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…” which means he finds his deepest truth and direction in relationship with God; “the Spirit has anointed me… has sent me…” Second, Jesus acknowledges his call to action, “to bring good news… to proclaim release… to set free…” In other words, Jesus chooses to act to fulfill the prophet Isaiah’s scripture.

The question before us today is, “How are we living in imitation of Jesus?” Are we affirming our dependence on God? Do we find our truth and direction in our ‘with God life?’ or are we motivated by desire for  security, safety, attention, esteem, power or control? Are we making  choices and living our lives to share the good news of God’s blessing for all people or are we recoiling in fear and treating others, especially strangers, foreigners and the most vulnerable, as enemies?

Like Jesus we find ourselves in a world fraught with brutality, greed and misuse of power. Like Jesus we have choices to make as we face new and unforeseen situations. So we ask, “How did Jesus navigate the turbulent waters of his life on earth?” I believe he did so by first affirming his dependence on “the Spirit of God with him” and then by consistently acting to extend the good news of  freedom, healing and blessing to all, and especially to the most vulnerable. 

Jesus was not a philosopher, not a theologian. Jesus was an activist, a social reformer choosing to fulfill the Hebrew scripture that informed his life.  Jesus embodied the fundamental values of the Law and the Prophets and, in his summary of the Law and the Prophets, Jesus gives us an action plan. “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’ (Luke 10.27)

The demands of life are constantly changing. The needs of folks around us continually turnabout. But, the values that undergird our faith are enduring; given to us in the Hebrew Law and the Prophets and epitomized in the life and ministry of Jesus.  Act decisively to embody the Spirit of God with you; extend your hand to deliver care, comfort and relief to the most vulnerable; stand with Jesus and proclaim, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ 

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Gospel Text for Sunday, February 13, 2011

Matthew 5:21-37

Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, `You shall not murder'; and `whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, `You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

"You have heard that it was said, `You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

"It was also said, `Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

"Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, `You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be `Yes, Yes' or `No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one.

Gospel Text for Sunday, February 6, 2011

Matthew 5:13-20

Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."