In today’s Gospel, Jesus picks a particular passage from the prophet Isaiah (61:1-3) to announce the mission for which he was called. Today, we hear that all who heard his words were in awe of the “gracious words” he spoke.

Let us also recall that the people in the synagogue lived under the brutal oppression of Rome and the soldiers who occupied their lands. Heavy Roman taxation caused an oppressive poverty that Jesus’ family and neighbors experienced.

In this moment, Jesus proclaims that God has anointed him to bring good news to the poor, liberty to captives, sight to the blind, and to free the oppressed. In real ways, these words ring true for today, even in our own country, especially for “foreigners” and anyone of Hispanic origin. Unlawful deportations and detainment abound – even of legal US citizens and people here legally. A mother was deported, leaving a small child behind. Parents grabbed, picking up their children from school. A 12-year-old girl is arrested. American citizens were detained for months before being released.

In November, Pope Leo XIV urged the US bishops to speak out clearly on the current immigration policies. “I think we have to look for ways of treating people humanely, treating people with the dignity that they have,” said the first American-born pope. “If people are in the United States illegally, there are ways to treat that,” he said.

Indeed, the US bishops spoke out clearly on this matter at their annual November meeting.” We are saddened by the state of contemporary debate and the vilification of immigrants . . . (and) we are concerned about the conditions in detention centers and the lack of access to pastoral care,” the bishops said.

Will we find in our prayer today what Pope Leo and the bishops have said, “gracious words?”

Let Us Pray:

Dear Lord, we pray that our political leaders will govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment. From fraud and violence shall they be redeemed, and precious shall their blood be in their sight. May they be prayed for continually, and be blessed as they are in your sight. Amen. (Based on today’s Psalm 72)