2021, THE YEAR OF THE LORD’S FAVOR

2021, THE YEAR OF THE LORD'S FAVOR

“And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the sabbath day. And he stood up to read; and there was given to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it was written, ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor (ἐνιαυτὸν Κυρίου δεκτόν).’ And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’” (Lk 4: 16-21)

This is the “acceptable” year, or the year of the Lord’s “favor.” Because “Today this scripture has been fulfilled,” as the Lord continues to proclaim “in our hearing,” even in 2021. He has accepted our time, having stepped into it and walked the Way of the Cross through it, and since He accepted it, so can we.

Let me not procrastinate, nor wait for a better time, a better year, to embrace what He offers me, in communion with Him. And that is, “good news” amidst my poverty; “release” from the traps or captivity of sinful patterns; and “sight” instead of blindness. Let me embrace His way, by taking up my cross and following Him, offering to Him and others what I can, even while I might feel “poor” or as someone with little to offer. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor 6:2) And Happy Church New Year, NC-friends!