"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."
(Luke 4:18-19)
God’s word is true and trustworthy. His love and salvation are for all people, not just a select group. We should seek and understand our own purpose and calling in life, embrace inclusivity and extend love and compassion to everyone, regardless of their background. It is important to stand firm in our beliefs and values, even in the face of opposition. Let us persevere and stay committed to our goals, even when we face setbacks or rejection.
16 Jesus 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 17 and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: 18 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, 19 and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. 20 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. 21 He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Is this not the son of Joseph?” 23 He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’ ” 24 And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. 25 Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. 26 It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. 27 Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” 28 When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. 29 They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. 30 But he passed through the midst of them and went away. (Luke 4:16-30)
Lord Jesus, Your word is true and trustworthy, a beacon of light in our lives. Your love and salvation are for all people, not just a select group, but for everyone. Help us to seek and understand our purpose, to find our calling in this life. Guide us to embrace inclusivity, to extend love and compassion to all, regardless of their background or story. Grant us the strength to stand firm in our beliefs, to hold fast to our values, even in the face of opposition. Let us persevere and stay committed to our goals, even when we face setbacks or rejection. Fill our hearts with Your love and grace, so that we may reflect Your light in this world. In Your holy name, we pray, Amen.
True wisdom and strength come from God. We should depend on God’s power rather than our own abilities or intellect. Humility allows God’s power to be evident through us. We can learn to embrace our own weaknesses and trust that God can work through them to accomplish His purposes. Following Christ often means going against the prevailing cultural norms and values. Our faith should be distinct and rooted in God’s truth, even if it seems foolish to the world. We should keep our focus on the essential truths of our faith and not get distracted by secondary issues. Let us build our faith on the solid foundation of God’s power and not on the shifting sands of human understanding or achievements.
1 When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, 4 and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of spirit and power, 5 so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)
Heavenly Father, we come before You, acknowledging that true wisdom and strength come from You alone. Help us to depend on Your power rather than our own abilities or intellect. Grant us the humility to allow Your power to be evident through us. Teach us to embrace our weaknesses, trusting that You can work through them to accomplish Your purposes. As we follow Christ, give us the courage to go against the prevailing cultural norms and values, and to live a faith that is distinct and rooted in Your truth, even if it seems foolish to the world. Help us to keep our focus on the essential truths of our faith and not get distracted by secondary issues. Let us build our faith on the solid foundation of Your power and not on the shifting sands of human understanding or achievements. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
God’s commands provide wisdom that surpasses worldly knowledge. By keeping God’s commandments close, we gain practical wisdom that helps us navigate life’s challenges and outsmart adversaries. Meditating on God’s statutes grants us greater insight than even our teachers. Regular, thoughtful engagement with Scripture deepens our understanding and discernment. Obeying God’s precepts leads to profound understanding. True comprehension of God’s ways comes through living out His commands, not just knowing them intellectually. A deep, personal engagement with Scripture can transform our hearts and minds, leading us to live in alignment with God’s will. Let us prioritize God’s Word in our daily lives, seeking wisdom, insight, and moral guidance from it.
97 How I love your law, O Lord! It is my meditation all the day. (R) 98 Your command has made me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. (R) 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers when your decrees are my meditation. (R) 100 I have more discernment than the elders, because I observe your precepts. (R) 101 From every evil way I withhold my feet, that I may keep your words. (R) 102 From your ordinances I turn not away, for you have instructed me. (Psalm 119:97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102)
Heavenly Father, Your commands provide wisdom that surpasses all worldly knowledge. Help us to keep Your commandments close to our hearts, that we may gain practical wisdom to navigate life’s challenges and outsmart our adversaries. As we meditate on Your statutes, grant us greater insight than even our teachers. May our regular, thoughtful engagement with Scripture deepen our understanding and discernment. Guide us to obey Your precepts, leading us to profound understanding. Teach us that true comprehension of Your ways comes through living out Your commands, not just knowing them intellectually. Transform our hearts and minds through a deep, personal engagement with Your Word. Lead us to live in alignment with Your will, prioritizing Your Word in our daily lives. May we seek wisdom, insight, and moral guidance from it always. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
Gospel
IV: The Ministry in Galilee
THE REJECTION AT NAZARETH
Luke 4:16-30
Related Blogs:
https://guidingthoughtsandinspirations.blogspot.com/2024/09/gods-word-and-love.html
https://on-linewithgod.blogspot.com/2024/09/prayer-in-times-of-rejection.html
First Reading
II: Disorders in the Corinthian Community, A. Divisions in the Church
THE CORINTHIANS AND PAUL
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Related Blogs:
https://guidingthoughtsandinspirations.blogspot.com/2024/09/true-wisdom-and-strength.html
https://on-linewithgod.blogspot.com/2024/09/prayer-for-true-wisdom-and-strength.html
Responsorial Psalm
Fifth Book of Psalms 107-150
A PRAYER TO GOD, THE LAWGIVER
Psalm 119:1-176
Related Blogs:
https://guidingthoughtsandinspirations.blogspot.com/2024/09/divine-wisdom.html
https://on-linewithgod.blogspot.com/2024/09/prayer-for-divine-wisdom.html
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
