Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Luke (4: 16-30) in which Jesus reads from the scripture of Isaiah in the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth.

Fr Paul says, it would have been an electrifying scene in the synagogue when Jesus read out this passage from Isaiah and began to explain why he chose that passage. Not only is this passage being fulfilled, Jesus takes it a step further and says that if they do not accept this, he will take it to others outside of Israel. As we hear, this enrages those in the synagogue.

Jesus is pulling no punches with what he is saying.  He leaves no doubt that he has come to the poor and the oppressed and that he will find them, as the prophets did, outside the chosen people, outside of Israel.  Jesus is really challenging the Jews with what he is saying.

For our reflection today, Fr Paul asks us to consider, ‘How do I respond when God sends challenges my way? Am I open to the challenges God puts before me?’