Luke 4: 14-20

14Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. 15He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

16When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

18“The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.^f”

20He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. 21Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

This passage reminded me today about what I am here for, what my purpose is. As a follower of Jesus I am called to continue his work:

Am I bringing good news to the poor? Am I setting captives free? Am I aiding the blind and the oppressed – do I even recognize them around me?

In this world of Facebook mob mentality and political division, I know I’ve failed plenty of times, and have been failed by others. Perhaps I can’t change the world, and don’t have a clue where to start, but I hope I don’t miss the chance to improve the day of a neighbor, friend or stranger in the small part of the world I actually live in.

Lord, I feel hopeless and confused. Help me to go forward with your message despite my personal mood today.

In a very small way, you just did.