Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,
In today’s Gospel (Luke 4:14-21), we hear Jesus announce His mission: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me… He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free.” This moment marks the beginning of His public ministry, a mission of healing, hope, and salvation.
Let me start with a lighthearted story: A young boy saw his pastor reading the Bible and asked, “Father, what are you doing?” The pastor replied, “I’m looking for my sermon.”
The boy thought for a moment and said, “Why don’t you just preach what Jesus said? That’s what we like to hear!”
Indeed, what Jesus said that day in the synagogue wasn’t just words—it was a mission statement that shook the world. And the best part? Jesus invites us to join Him in that mission!
Here’s an inspiring true story: St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) once encountered a dying man on the streets of Kolkata. She brought him to her care home, cleaned his wounds, and stayed with him as he smiled and whispered, “I lived like an animal, but now I’ll die like an angel, loved and cared for.” That moment happened because she took Jesus’ mission to heart: to bring love to the poor, healing to the broken, and hope to the forgotten.
St. Francis of Assisi beautifully said, “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.” Like Mother Teresa, we’re called to live out the Gospel with our actions, not just by quoting Scripture but by being Scripture in action.
So how can we do this? Start small. Listen to someone who feels unheard. Be kind to someone who feels invisible. Share a smile, a prayer, or even your time.
As the Psalmist reminds us today (Psalm 19:8), “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.” The joy of the Lord truly is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). When we make God’s Word our guide, we will find strength for our mission.
This week, I encourage you to spend time with Scripture. Let the Word of God inspire and guide you. And remember, like that little boy suggested, “Preach what Jesus said.” You might just brighten someone’s life—or even change it.
May we all become living Gospels, bringing healing, love, and joy to the world. Amen.
— Fr. Sudhakar Mannam