From the Deacon's Desk

Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.

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 4:16-30)

FULFILLED IN OUR HEARING: The Gospel tells us, “the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.” There was electricity in the air. Something big was happening. Then Jesus said, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

He basically told them, “What I just read is about me. It is happening right now. Christ is among you right now.”

Can you imagine what must have been going through the minds of the people in the synagogue that day?

This man grew up right here in Nazareth. He’s the man we’ve had our eye on because of all the odd things he has been doing – eating with sinners and tax collectors, healing on the Sabbath. This man is telling us He is the Christ

I’m sure there was a whole range of thoughts and emotions coursing through the synagogue.

Fear – What if what he is saying is true? We have been waiting and preparing, but are we ready to meet Christ today?

Doubt – How can this be? We were expecting God’s anointed one to ride in on a white horse, a king to save his people, not this simple preacher.

For some it may have been joy. Finally he has come! Praise God!

Jesus said, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled.”

The word “today” is a powerful word. “Today” means there is no more time left, no more waiting: It’s here. It’s now.

In a very real sense, as we participate in the Mass, this Scripture passage is once again “fulfilled in our hearing.” The same Jesus who fulfilled the prophecies of Isaiah comes to us and is truly present to us in the Eucharist and in the Word.

How will we respond to that kind of news?