A visitor to Australia asked this question: “What are the worst states to live in?” The other person responded jokingly: “The state of poverty, the state of blindness, the state of captivity and the state of oppression.” Any believer who hears the words of our Lord in the Gospel proclamation will not be affected by such states. Because our Lord is the anointed one who brings glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives, sight to the blind and freedom to the oppressed. His revolutionary message of love empowers the power- less. It is good news for those living in states that are often despised and neglected by society.

Despite threats on life, our Lord was faithful to his mission. The Spirt is calling us to be proclaimers of the good news to our afflicted neighbors and even strangers. Are we sensitive enough to the pain of the helpless, to the one caught in bondage? Can we find time to enlighten someone struggling with studies or direction in life? Our calling is to help someone feel loved and liberated.

Prayer: Abba Father, help me in my mission despite my fears and weakness. Amen.