We are called to be merciful, like the Father

Then Jesus returned to Galilee, and the power of the Holy Spirit was with him. The news about him spread throughout all that territory. He taught in the synagogues and was praised by everyone. Then Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath he went as usual to the synagogue. He stood up to read the Scriptures and was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it is written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppress and announce that the time has come when the Lord will save his people.” Jesus rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. All the people in the synagogue had their eyes fixed on him, as he said to them, “This passage of scripture has come true today, as you heard it being read.”

Jubilee (noun 1. a special anniversary of an event, especially one celebrating twenty-five or fifty years of a reign or activity. synonyms:anniversary, commemoration; 2. JUDAISM a year of freedom and restoration, kept every fifty years. MERCY The disposition to be kind and forgiving. Founded on compassion, mercy differs from compassion or the feeling of sympathy in putting this feeling into practice with a readiness to assist. It is therefore the ready willingness to help anyone in need, especially in need of pardon or reconciliation.

In this Jubilee Year, how we each of us “bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind.”? In what ways will we “ set free the oppressed”? How, through us will people feel that God has announced “that the time has come when the Lord will save his people.”?

Father, as we start to hear more about this great Jubilee year of mercy, help us to view ourselves as a crucial part of your plan to bring your love, mercy, forgiveness and joy to all your people. Help our school to become a place where mercy and forgiveness are the bricks that make it strong; may its walls be built from love and compassion and the roof keep out the winds of judgement and anger. With your help and our prayers, may we too, be merciful like you. Amen