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.” Luke 4:18-21
Piety
The Spirit of the Lord GOD
is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; He has sent me to bring glad
tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the
captives and release to the prisoners, To announce a year of favor from the
LORD and a day of vindication by our God, to comfort all who mourn; To place on
those who mourn in Zion a diadem instead of ashes, To give them oil of gladness
in place of mourning, a glorious mantle instead of a listless spirit. (Isaiah 61:1-3A)
Study
The spirit of the Lord is
upon me. The promise of the covenant is fulfilled this day just as it was on the
first day of Jesus’ public ministry as he read from the scrolls.
Our waiting is over. Our savior was born. Emmanuel is with us. Our Lenten season of fasting, almsgiving and
prayer is at an end.
Now begins the end of the
beginning of the end. Until Friday, when
we will hear those words that mark the end of the beginning when the spirit of
the Lord is no longer upon Him. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It
is finished.” And bowing his head, he
handed over the spirit. (John 19:30)
Holy Thursday is a day
marked with two distinct celebrations.
During the day, we celebrate the presence of the Lord and the blessing
that the priests represent as they continue the presence to this day. By evening, we are celebrating the Last
Supper before Jesus departs.
Action
The body, once alive, will
soon be a soul-less shell, a barren cadaver to be anointed with the oils that
were so controversial in Monday’s Gospel.
For three days, we will live in darkness. However, for now, we celebrate the presence
of Jesus with us, all that has been and will be possible thanks to the ransom
that will be paid.
Glad tidings.
Healing.
Liberty.
Release.
Favor.
Today is a day of paying
attention and listening carefully to what Jesus does and says so we can be
prepared to put His plan for us into action.
Who serves as priest, prophet
and king in your life? Thank them for
their presence.
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