THE PROPHET……………….

In a remote village of Galilee called Nazareth, the locals gather in the synagogue one morning to listen to the Word of God. After a few years seeking God in the desert, Jesus returns to the place where he had grown up.  

 The  scene is very important to come to know Jesus and understand well his mission. According to Luke’s account, in this village almost unknown to everyone, Jesus is going to present himself as a prophet of God and explain his plan of action by applying to himself a text of the prophet Isaiah.  

 After reading the passage Jesus explains it with a single sentence:“Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke notes: “The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him.” The attention of everyone shifts from the words read  to the person of Jesus. What can we today discover if we fix our eyes on him?  

 Moved by the Spirit of God. The entire life of Jesus is driven, led and directed  by the prompting and  guidance of the love of God. To believe Jesus is God,  is not to profess in theory a dogmatic formula  worked out by the Councils. It is to keep discovering in a concrete way, in his words and his actions, his tenderness and his fire, the ultimate Mystery of life we believers call “God”.  

 The Prophet of God. Jesus was not anointed with olive oil as were kings, to confer on them the power to govern, or high priests to invest them with sacred power. He was “anointed” with the Holy Spirit of God. He does not come to govern or to rule. He is a prophet of God dedicated to freeing life. We will only be able to follow him if we learn to live with his prophetic spirit.   

 Good News for the poor. His work is Good News for the most marginalized and helpless social class: those who need to hear something good; those despised and forgotten by all. We begin to be like Jesus when our lives, our work, and our love leading to solidarity with the poor is perceived by them as something good.  

 Dedicated to liberate. He spends his life liberating human beings from every kind of slavery. People see him as one who saves from suffering, oppression and exploitation; the blind experience him as light that frees from meaninglessness and despair; sinners receive him as grace and forgiveness. We follow Jesus when he delivers us from all that enslaves, belittles, or dehumanizes us. We then believe in him as the Savior who leads us to eternal life.