LENT SOUL SURMISE #1 - REDEMPTION'S REACH

LENT REFLECTIONS #1 - REDEMPTION’S REACH

(In Fitzroy we are journeying through Lent in the Travel Narratives of Luke chapters 9 to 19. We begin that journey on Monday so in these first few days I am going to draw out some thoughts from the first 9 chapters.)

READ: LUKE 1:46-55

And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord

    and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful

    of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

    for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

    holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him,

    from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones

    but has lifted up the humble. 

He has filled the hungry with good things

    but has sent the rich away empty. 

He has helped his servant Israel,

    remembering to be merciful 

to Abraham and his descendants forever,

    just as he promised our ancestors.” 

REFLECTION: As we enter Lent and head towards the end of Jesus life and ministry, let us ponder for a day the beginning of The Gospel According To Luke. Luke gives us Mary’s thoughts on who God is and what his mission will be. This is a wide ranging mission. It is going to effect change in how things are. Things are going to be different. This is not just about new relationships between individuals and God. Rulers will be impacted. The injustice of hunger will be put right. The exploiting rich will be dealt with. 

Jesus confirms Mary’s vision on his first public utterance in his home synagogue when he reads from Isaiah: -

READ: LUKE 4: 16-19

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

    because he has anointed me

    to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

    and recovery of sight for the blind,

to set the oppressed free, 

    to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f] 

As we head on our journey towards Jerusalem, let us ask what we are envisioning to be the full extent of Jesus redeeming reach.  

PONDER AND ACT: If you get a chance watch the movie Selma and inspired by Martin Luther King draw up your dream for the city and country you live in