Scripture Scribbles: January 26, 2025

the Gospel

Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events
that have been fulfilled among us,
just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning
and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,
I too have decided,
after investigating everything accurately anew,
to write it down in an orderly sequence for you,
most excellent Theophilus,
so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings
you have received.

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,
and news of him spread throughout the whole region.
He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up,
and went according to his custom
into the synagogue on the sabbath day.
He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
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."

the scribble

Jesus came “to bring glad tidings to the poor … to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free…”

I am poor, continually in need of being replenished with spiritual nourishment. I am captive by worldly attachments, categorized by Bishop Barron as wealth, power, honor, and pleasure. Wealth: my desire for things and financial security. Power: wanting to be in control of my life and others. Honor: my desire to be loved and affirmed by family. Pleasure: desiring comfort, avoiding self denial, mortification, and sacrifice; having an inordinate desire for sensual delights, good food, ice cream, and sweets.

I am oppressed by the weight of my sins, weaknesses, imperfections, failures, and insecurities. Oppressed by unforgiveness and brooding over injuries. Oppressed by feelings of inexplicable sadness, paralyzing fear, and crippling anxiety. I am sometimes blind to the goodness in myself and others. Blind to the needs of others. Blind to the grievous faults and wounds in myself. Blind to the continual presence of God in all things and at all times. Blind to God’s immeasurable and unconditional love.

Detach from the world, cling to Jesus (through Mary), and surrender to His grace. “The more fully I belong to Jesus, the less I am dominated and enslaved by the life destroying powers of the world around me.” Fr. Hugh Gillespie

 Allow Jesus to love us in our brokenness, to enlighten us to see clearly the truth, to heal, restore, and set us free.

Today’s devotion was written by Karen Molvar