The
prologue to Luke’s Gospel is almost like the opening credits of a major
blockbuster movie, there’s something exciting about it. We don’t really know
who Theophplis was, possibly a patron of Luke’s, but his name also means ‘Lover
of God’ and in that sense this Gospel is addressed to all ‘lovers of God’.
In
the synagogue, Jesus is handed the scroll from Isaiah. It is one of the most
powerful passages in the New Testament as Jesus sets out his mission, his
manifesto. The uncomfortable truths contained within the passage cause the
crowd to reject him. We know that in our world today good news has still to
reach the afflicted, captives still await liberation, the oppressed are not
free. So this is not a passage read in the past, it is very much alive, very
much a vision for all to have and to work towards. Just as the scriptures are
fulfilled in Jesus, they are also fulfilled in each of our lives. There are
many causes we can be involved in, the refugee crisis, climate justice, homelessness,
neighbourliness, community involvement. Wherever we are, in our own small ways,
we can strive to make this dream a reality.
“Lord of the universe, look in love upon your
people. Pour the healing oil of your compassion on a world that is wounded and
dying. Send us out in search of the lost, to comfort the afflicted, to bind up
the broken, and to free those trapped under the rubble of their fallen dream.”
(Sheila Cassidy)
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