Set Free by the Spirit

“The spirit of the Lord…has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor.”  (Luke 4:18)

Called to a mission of healing and teaching, Jesus was gone for a while.  The folks back home had heard stories.  Their native son had gathered a following.  At first, they cheered.  A closer inspection convinced them that nothing had changed.  “He’s no different.”  Drained by their doubts, Jesus challenged them to look deeper.  Like their ancestors, they were too obstinate to open their eyes to what is new.  Stung by his words, the crowd drove Jesus from Nazareth.  Like the prophets before him, he would find a home among the lost sheep.

Tired voices in our head drone: there is nothing new under the sun.  Just look closer.  It’s been done before.  A jaded mindset does not countenance possibility.  Seeds surround us but all we see are empty shells.  Like the petulant sounds of Nazareth, we spew objections: either everything is possible or else nothing is possible.  But real possibility is the breath of faith.  Without breath, the spirit dies.

The early Christians in Thessalonica pondered Paul’s words.  Do not say he has died.  Rather he has fallen asleep.  Resurrection is a promise.  We trust Jesus’ words that we will “meet the Lord in the air” and never be apart.

Without the spirit, the community descends into a bilious state.  Schools ask children to wear masks to keep them safe.  Some parents erupt about infringements on their liberty.  Where are the glad tidings?  What happens to the common good?

With the spirit, the oppressed go free.  Here is new life.  It is a dazzling promise.