Jesus, the familiar young local carpenter, is home again, fresh from his baptism in the River Jordan. The people did not know that when John baptised Jesus, the voice of the Father had come from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved.”

????All eyes are fixed on him as he stands up to read. He unrolls the scroll of the prophet Isaiah and reads his chosen passage and sits down. He boldly identifies himself as the anointed one of God. He declares that his mission is to proclaim the Good News of the reign of God, a God of love and compassion, especially for the poor and the oppressed.

????Join the synagogue congregation, and hear this charismatic young man speaking the prophecy of Isaiah as his own mission. As we listen, know with excitement that he is reaching out to us to join him. We are called to be part of that unending mission, to bring good news, vision and freedom to those who need them.

????Lord, open our hearts to the broken body of Christ revealed in our suffering brothers and sisters. Make us hunger for justice and work for peace. May your compassion be a constant burning fire in our life. God bless!