Gospel Reflections for January 24 2016
Release from captivity
Candidates always announce their policies and plans at every speech. They know voters want to know.
Jesus does the same in today’s Gospel, and it was just what people needed to hear.
His Kingdom will reverse centuries of oppression, and offer “Good news to the poor, release to captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and freedom for the oppressed.”
God sees, understands, and responds to our human predicament here on planet earth, where we have lost our way and cannot rescue ourselves. We have made the earth a dangerous place, filled with violence and corruption …and yet, Our Lord is willing to come to our rescue with fearless courage and resolute compassion precisely for the poor, the weak, and the vulnerable. We need Him today more than ever.
A recent global threat comes from ISIS and Al Qaeda. Both believe they are a bold and fearless face of Radical Fundamentalist Islam. Let’s take another look.
- They “fearlessly” shoot people in the back of the head, or behead them, only after their victims are securely handcuffed and blindfolded.
- They “courageously” sneak up on Parisian restaurants at night and ambush unarmed and innocent people quietly eating dinner.
- They “boldly” face incredible “danger” as they viciously blow up unsuspecting women and children in markets and shopping malls.
- They “bravely” surprise and shoot people enjoying a Christmas party in San Bernadino.
- With “great military precision” they capture sand dunes and vast areas of completely empty desert.
There is nothing brave, bold, or courageous about anything they do. ISIS has never faced a real army before, and is reeling now that combined professional forces from several nations move against them. It’s about time. Tragically, terror events abroad will continue as ISIS and Al Qaeda compete with each other in cowardly attacks.
We are truly brave, courageous, and bold when we use our powers to help the weak and vulnerable, as those thousands of innocent and unfortunate victims of ISIS and Al Qaeda are. Our Lord provides the grace we need to be courageously compassionate to those around us here as well.
Our Lord is about life, and life that is full (John 10:10). He is about joy, and joy that is complete (John 15:11). He is about restoring sight that we might truly see ourselves as lovingly as God does. His life is about the freedom that comes from living as God designed.
I like the “campaign” that Our Lord describes today!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Thank you so much! A great help for tomorrows reflection
You are very welcome!
Fr. Dave,
I read this every week before Mass and the Gospel has so much more meaning after reading your Reflections. You make everything simple to understand. Also started going through some of the university series online and find it very interesting.
I am very happy you find my comments helpful. See you in the University this year!
Amen, Father Dave. Surely, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” The Messiah came into the world as a baby, grew into a man without sin and suffered and died to obtain forgiveness for fallen mankind.
It is so sad that the Radical Fundamentalist Islam people have not received the message of God’s love and mercy. We pray with Pope Francis:
Universal: That those from diverse religious traditions and all people of good will may work together for peace.
Evangelization: That in this year dedicated to consecrated life, religious men and women may rediscover the joy of following Christ and strive to serve the poor with zeal.
Well said! Your comments are actually a perfect lead in to next week’s Gospel. Stay tuned!
The brave are the Christians there that stay and stand firm in their faith. Even now in the news it talks of the Muslims being visited at night by our Lord in dreams and they are coming to Christ. Don’t you just love it.? We are so blessed in this country and do we realize it? I have been reading the Torah reflections and it was about the parting of the Red Sea. It so amazing that even after all the miracles that they have seen at the hand of God for their freedom, yet they still complained. When I look at what is happening over there and those Christians being executed, etc. I think of all the complaining we do here and it is really convicting. In the Epistles it talks about all the gifts we have been given and how well equipped we are and still many times we are not satisfied that we don’t have enough and want more. and when trial comes our way just like in Moses’ time we complain. Believe me I am talking to myself as well. When reading about David when he took his slingshot and beat them a while ago, David had the attitude that he was going to win and that God was behind him. In this weeks reflection of the Torah we were reminded that God went before them and an angel behind them. Whether we want to admit it or not we are in a battle here in the USA and we need to remember that very same thing. God even gave us the gifts to win. Time to pick up that Armour of God and go for the victory. That, of course includes all the Christians. God appointed David to lead the way and somewhere he has someone to lead here. Why are we sitting quiet when Bruce Jenner gets a woman’s award for bravery where there are so many good women out there? Why are we sitting by with all those babies dieing needlessly. Sorry, I’m in a fighting mood.
Yes, I agree with your comments completely. We live in a crazy world, but then again, so did the early Christians. Let us call upon the same source of strength that they did!
Thank you so much ☺☺☺☺
You are welcome!
Thank you, Father… I needed some words of encouragement about now. At times the world news is just too much to bear. Yours are words of comfort to the distressed.
You are very welcome!
Brilliant!
Thank you!
Father Dave, I love our God, our Jesus and our faith!!Our life is centered on love!! Our God becomes man as our loving Jesus, teaches us to love , forgives our sins ,dies for us so that we could return to our beautiful God!!! We are so blessed!! I feel for our beautiful Christians and other wonderful people in Iraq and Syria ,Paris, our America and other persecuted countries!! The Islamic terrorist Extremist interpretation of their God is that their God is not a God of love!!! They take lives if one does not believe in their terrorist Extreme Islamic precepts!! The whole world should unite and stop anyone who takes life !!!Our country who believes in a loving God should unite the nations of the world to end this terrible violence!!! We have helped but not done enough!!!No one has the right to take a life except in self defense!!! We have to defend ourselves from Islamic Extremists who are taking the lives of Christians and other good people!! Our Jesus came to give life, joy freedom and we must protect the gifts Jesus gave us !!!!!! We have an amazing faith of love and joy and no one can take it away from us!!! With love, Franca and Dick
Well said!
Thank you Fr. Dave-thank you for speaking out! These radical Islamists are far from brave or noble. I often reflect on the Coptic Christian men that were beheaded by ISIS last year. I wonder if I could be so brave. To die a cruel and painful death rather than deny my faith? I pray decent followers of Islam will be brave and courageous because without them in this fight, there will be more violence, slaughter and death.
The Christians who remain and stand tall for their faith are an inspiration to us all. thanks for reminding us of their example.