Adv3B23.    Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11.    In Luke 4: 16-21, Jesus proclaims that he is the fulfillment of Isaiah 61: 1-2a.  This Old Testament passage was originally written by an ancient prophet to declare to the newly released Hebrew captives that all had changed.  The brokenhearted could now “rejoice heartily in the Lord.”

John 1:6-8, 19-28.  The verses just prior to this Sunday’s gospel reading (John 1:4-5) proclaim about Jesus that “through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”  John the Baptist came “to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.” John was announcing that the One to come was so spectacularly awesome that John was not even worthy to untie his sandal strap.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24.  Since we live in Christ at every moment, right now we possess eternal goodness.  What joy it is to have it all now and forever.  Prayer is to be in communion with Jesus.  That means that for us who have chosen to draw on Jesus as the source of our daily life all of life is prayer.  Prayer does not mean that we always have to be mentally and emotionally in touch with the divine.  Life in this world demands that we actively deal with and be attentive to worldly things.  Jesus himself when he lived as a member of the Holy Family had to live daily in the midst of worldly concerns.  To be other worldly while we are immersed in this world is be totally committed to belong to what is of God and God only.  God gave us a body and a place in this world; however, God demands that we nonetheless not belong to this world.  To belong to this world means that we choose not to have God as our God.  Do not quench the Spirit when he reminds you that this place is not our home but only the passageway or road to our real home.