The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
As we enter Ordinary Time, the Gospel of Luke emphasizes community and faith renewal. Jesus' teachings fulfill ancient promises, bringing liberation and redemption.
Gospel according to Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21
Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."
Reflections
Marking the ending of the Christmas season, we begin our regular readings of Ordinary Time. Right away, the Gospel of Luke immediately introduces us to the recipient of the sacred writing, and draws us into a sense of community. He addresses “Theophilus” (Luke 1:3), a name that can be translated as “Loved by God,” or “God’s Beloved,” or “The Friend of God.” The designation does not only identify the individual recipient of the Gospel, it may also refer to the broader Christian community. We are reminded that the development of our faith is not an isolated endeavour. Rather, it is tended to and reinforced in the context of a faith community, which connects us to the universal truth of Christ.
As we read the Gospel, we are struck with the conviction that the words of Luke are the inspired work of the Holy Spirit, which is the same as the one who aided the other authors of the Gospel to record their lived experience: “I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you […]” (Luke 1:3). St. Luke invites us to invoke the same Spirit who filled the Disciples, the first eyewitnesses, and to ask for guidance and clarity as we discover the person of Jesus through the eyes of faith. In our encounter with the Spirit, we will be renewed in faith, hope, and love. We are challenged to live our lives with resolve to be authentic disciples of Jesus. Let us approach the Gospel with a sense of hope and reverence, and trust that the Spirit will speak to us through the words of St. Luke, and that like him, we can employ our hearts and minds to discern the essence of the Gospel.
The Gospel of Luke is distinctly characterized by a sense of order and purpose. The evangelist frequently quotes the prophets of the Old Testament, and methodically situates the events of Jesus’ life within the larger narrative of Israel’s history. In doing so, he demonstrates the ways that Jesus fulfills the ancient promises of our Heavenly Father. The attention to detail is a reminder of the rich and storied tradition in which our faith is rooted. By sharing in this culture and tradition, we can remain connected to those who came before us. May we be guided and inspired by the accounts of Jesus found in the Gospels. Each one of us is called forth to bear witness to our faith.
In accordance with the custom, Jesus went to the Synagogue on the Sabbath day: “He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day.” (Luke 4:16) Word about Him has already spread, and was praised by all. (Luke 4:14) Therefore, all eyes were on Him when He was chosen to read a section of the Scriptures. Opening the scroll that was handed to Him, He “[...] found the passage where it was written: ‘The spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He sent me to proclaim liberty to captives, the recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.’” (Luke 4:18-19; Isaiah 61:1-2) Jesus sat down and all those who were in the synagogue took their places. Then, He declared in front of them: “[...] Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21) Through the words of the Scripture, Jesus affirmed His identity. He is the Chist, the Messiah, who has come to heal the sick and tend to the needy. He is the fulfillment of God’s promise to His faithful, in accordance with the ancient prophecies of Israel.
The ancient year of Jubilee that was written about by Nehemiah (8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10) has become a present reality through Christ, and everything written by the Prophets was destined to be fulfilled. More radically, through His passion, Jesus has come to liberate humanity from its enslavement to sin and death. As we reflect on this passage, Jesus invites us to consider the ways in which He brings liberation and redemption into our lives. Let us give thanks for our faith, which connects us to God’s love.
The year 2025 has been designated a Jubilee Year by Pope Francis. The Jubilee Year reminds us of the year of God’s favor (Luke 4:19), where we have the opportunity to concretely build the Kingdom of God, to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, to return sight to the blind, let the oppressed go free, and rejoice in the abundant goodness and glory of the Lord. (Luke 4:18-19) Such Jubilee years take place once every 25 years. We are invited to take this opportunity to experience a renewal of faith, a personal encounter with Jesus. It is a time of forgiveness and mercy to bring hope and to sow kindness.