The Institute for Christian Formation
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Thursday, January 9, 2014
Christmas Weekday
On this Christmas weekday, our Gospel is Luke 4:14-22. This passage occurs in Luke’s Gospel following both Jesus’ baptism and his temptation. He has returned to his home town of Nazareth. As he would have faithfully done throughout his entire life, Jesus went to the local synagogue for the Sabbath. He gets up in the synagogue, unrolls the scroll, and reads from the Prophet Isaiah (see Isaiah 61:1-2). Read this passage from Luke’s Gospel slowly. Then spend some time reflecting either individually, or in a group, on the following questions:
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What does it mean to bring glad tidings to the poor? Who are the poor in your midst today? What one thing can you do to bring these poor glad tidings this new year?
What does it mean to bring glad tidings to the poor? Who are the poor in your midst today? What one thing can you do to bring these poor glad tidings this new year?•What does it mean to proclaim liberty to captives? Who do you know who might be in captivity? What can you do to help this person attain freedom? Is there anything in your life that is holding you captive? Ask Jesus to set you free.
What does it mean to proclaim liberty to captives? Who do you know who might be in captivity? What can you do to help this person attain freedom? Is there anything in your life that is holding you captive? Ask Jesus to set you free.•Who are the blind in society today? Is there anything in your life to which you “lend a blind eye”? How can you see more clearly this new year? How can you see through Jesus’ eyes?
Who are the blind in society today? Is there anything in your life to which you “lend a blind eye”? How can you see more clearly this new year? How can you see through Jesus’ eyes?•Do you know anyone, or any group of people, who are oppressed? Is there any area in which you feel oppressed? How can you experience freedom and help others to do the same?
Do you know anyone, or any group of people, who are oppressed? Is there any area in which you feel oppressed? How can you experience freedom and help others to do the same?•What is a “year acceptable to the Lord”? What does this mean? What can you do so 2014 will be a year acceptable to the Lord?
What is a “year acceptable to the Lord”? What does this mean? What can you do so 2014 will be a year acceptable to the Lord? Positioned where it is in Luke’s Gospel, this passage defines Jesus’ mission as he starts his public ministry. It is his vocation in life.
James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Jesus Unrolls the Book in the Synagogue (Jésus dans la synagogue déroule le livre), 1886-1894. Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, Image: 10 11/16 x 7 9/16 in. (27.1 x 19.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by public subscription, 00.159.71
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In these Christmas weekdays after Epiphany, the great festival of light, say a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of Jesus Christ who comes to set us free from sin and darkness. Conclude by singing a Christmas carol, such as “The People That in Darkness Sat.” You can download this hymn here.
Children’s Biblical Scroll Craft for Home or Classroom
In today’s Gospel, Jesus gets up in the synagogue, unrolls the scroll, and reads from the Prophet Isaiah. Children can make their own scroll. Follow the directions found here, and let each child choose his/her favorite Scripture verse to put on his/her scroll. (You might want to suggest several Bible verses as choices for children.) Hang the finished scrolls in a prominent place in your home or classroom.
