Anointed to Change

September 1: Monday of Week 22 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Psalm 119:97-102; Luke 4:16-30

What is Jesus saying to us as stewards of his kingship?

Anointed to Change

“He has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.” Luke 4:18

Each one of us was anointed specifically at Baptism to “bring glad tidings to the poor.” Jesus began by announcing, “The reign of God is at hand”; in our Baptism he gave us responsibility for bringing it about. We were ritually anointed as prophets, priests and stewards of his kingship. A steward’s job is to be responsible for managing the leader’s affairs. Jesus describes what they are: He was sent by the Father with the power of the Spirit:

to bring glad tidings to the poor.

to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free.

Our job is to give hope to the poor and neglected by setting in motion reforms. It is to free those in slavery to their peer group—social or professional—by challenging cultural attitudes, values and practices. It is to give sight to the blind by showing how the word of God lets us see everything in a new light.

Jesus said this would cause conflict, even within families (Luke 12:51 ff.). The people Jesus himself grew up with tried to kill him. We need to be prudent but persistent; gentle but insistent; to go slow, but to keep going.

Seek peace, but work for change.

PRAY: “Thy Kingdom come! Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!”

PRACTICE: Start noticing anything God would want changed.