by Rev. Dr. Mariano C. Apilado
Jesus Christ’s first sermon as recorded in Luke 4: 18-19 was decidedly addressed to give hope for the needy and poor.
Opening the book of Isaiah 61: 1-2, Jesus read, “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.”
The passage was familiar to Israelites because it expressed Israel’s hopes and promises.
When Jesus interpreted the words, however, he spoke on the prophecy no longer as referring to Israel’s distant past, but as they spoke about the present condition of the needy and the poor.
The reaction was varied. There were likely words of approval. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” someone asked. “How proud Mary must be. So handsome, so strong is he,” someone else remarked. “What a great preacher he is going to be!” another whispered excitedly. So much grace, so much confidence, so much relevance!
But the majority reaction was negative. Many became irritated and angered, and turned into a heated shouting match. This was triggered by Jesus’ remark, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (4:21).
From the time of Abraham and Sarah, the Israelites knew that God’s mercy was intended for all (Genesis 22:18).
This was not new. What was new, however, was that Jesus began to fulfill before them what they had only heard – the captives were to be released, the sick were to be healed, the hungry and poor were to be fed.
The age-old problem is: keep the message in the past or focus on the future, but don’t address the present problematic situation.
Generalities are one thing; specifics are another. Speculating about interreligious problems is one thing; suggesting that Christians, Catholics and Protestants gather together, work and witness together with Muslims or lumads is another.
Probing the problems of family violence is one thing; working to end violence among the Ampatuans and Mangudadatos is another.
Thinking of ending political dynasties, or planning for the peace and order in the Davao is fine; just don’t touch the political quarrel of the Dutertes and Nograles’!
God’s Word is never as real as when it speaks directly to man’s concrete concerns; it is never as real as when it confronts man’s prejudices.
Not only did Jesus announce his mission, but he also spoke of the church’s mission – to give hope for the needy and poor.
Anointed by divine Spirit, Jesus also anoints those who will serve the mission. In other words, Jesus’ announcement directs Christians and the church to address present problems of poverty, health, hunger, violence and peace and order.
In this New Year, the gospel of hope moves people beyond narrow confines of the church and religious circles to the wider world of the needy, the poor, the dispossessed, the victims of war and trafficking in order to instill hope.
Break the narrow confines to deliver the wonders of God’s mighty acts of salvation, knowing always in the heart that the believers main task is an expression of faithfulness to God’s will and relevance in uplift of the needy!
“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.”
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