1 John 4:19 - 5:4 / Luke 4:14-22
Whenever we listen
to a speech or read a passage, it is not that difficult to know what is
emphasized and what the main point is.
The word or phrase that is repeated frequently usually express what the key point is.
In the 1st reading it is quite obvious what this high-frequency word is and what the key point is.
It is also the one and the same thing, and that is "love".
The gospel text may not have this word in it but it expresses what the mission of Jesus was all about - a mission of love.
He expressed that love in reality and at the same time He also pointed to the greater reality of love.
He
gave sight to the blind, but He also wanted to liberate people from the
greater blindness and darkness of the eyes of the heart.
He
healed the crippled but He also wanted to free people from the shackles
that cripple the spirit - fear, anger, hatred, resentment, envy, greed,
lust, pride, selfishness, etc.
Jesus is love and He came to us with love. Love is His Word, love is His Way, love is His Truth.
We are called to be a people of love and a Church of love. Can others see that in us?