The liturgical cycle has brought us into another new year. The Gospels for the past two weeks present Jesus as God wishes Him to be seen and understood. First, in the Gospel of John, Jesus appears with his mother at a wedding feast in Cana. Through the miraculous transformation of water into wine Jesus foretells an eternal banquet. God has joined His people, incarnated into marriage with us as the bridegroom. A new era has dawned.
In the second public appearance, from Luke’s Gospel, Jesus stands in the synagogue and proclaims the worlds of Isaiah: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. Before addressing the meanings of these words, let me share what struck me in this liturgy: the prior inclusion of the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor."
Paul suggests that we think of ourselves as indispensable parts of the one Body of Christ. No one part, whether eye, ear, hand or foot, may dominate. All are important and when one is weakened, so is the body. We have heard these words of St Paul many times. Considering Jesus’ Gospel proclamation, they evoke another dimension for reflection.
We know that when we are sick or injured, our back (for instance) or other bodily functions will adjust to carry us on. The foot cannot do what the hand does. And, as St Paul says, “The eye cannot say to the hand, I do not need you.” Further, “Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary….” The body must naturally work to adjust itself to include and heal the weaker member.
"Paul suggests that we think of ourselves as indispensable parts of the one Body of Christ. No one part, whether eye, ear, hand or foot, may dominate."
When Jesus proclaims his mission to the poor, the captives, the blind and the oppressed, He speaks to us. He points us to the weaker members of His Body. We might humbly see ourselves in dire straits at times and truly embrace that Jesus is here for us. However, in the larger dimension of Christ’s Body, I think it important that we be reminded how much one member, however poor, blind or oppressed, is most important to God. With Christ as our Head, this is our Body too and its health our concern. Jesus sees where wholeness and healing must come. He points us to serve the weaker members of His Body.
The Eucharistic Revival begun three years ago, continues now, drawing us ever closer to the eternal banquet. God is truly with us. The year ahead will have its challenges, hopes, anxieties and blessings. Amidst all this we must stay close to Jesus. It is not enough for Jesus to watch and encourage us from afar. He wants to be our guest, our companion, friend, food and drink. Let us join Him in bringing glad tidings to the poor.
+Most Reverend Stephen J. Berg
Bishop of Pueblo
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