From the responsorial psalm: "The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life."

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21)

"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."

On the sabbath and in the town of Nazareth, where Jesus had grown up, in the synagogue he reads from a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. After reading it, he says to those in the synagogue, "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." In saying this, Jesus claims divine identity as the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. Today's Gospel begins from the first chapter of Luke, in which he lays out his intention for writing it: just as many have written of the events Jesus fulfilled, Luke carefully investigates the events so that "you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received." As Jesus fulfills what we hear him read in the portion of the reading, he fulfills entirely all of it, as when Isaiah says Jesus was sent "To give them oil of gladness instead of mourning, a glorious mantle instead of a faint spirit." Jesus embodies the longing of the prophets; he is hope realized from every promise God fulfills.

God, strengthen my faith. Luke investigates the events of Jesus and retells them for that purpose. What I first received through faith, help me grow in the certainty of its teachings and be released from the bonds of doubt. Why does Luke retell what has been told but to share with one person, Theophilus, the entirety of the Gospel? In sharing that joy with one person, he shares with the whole world. Lord, give me the grace to see the words and actions of Jesus anew in Luke's Gospel. Help me see in him the fulfillment of all of your promises made throughout the history of salvation. In receiving the word, let me be firm in faith and tirelessly retell to one soul at a time what Jesus brought to fulfillment: "The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, and to proclaim liberty to the captives."

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.