In Sunday's Gospel (LK 1:1-4; 4:14-21) Jesus began his official ministry by proclaiming a passage from the prophet Isaiah in his home synagogue. In this passage he articulated his mighty purpose—a purpose worth living for and more importantly, one worth dying for. He read with clarity and conviction: God has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, and to let the oppressed go free. The words of Isaiah became his own and Jesus ushered in a new era, the arrival of the reign of God embodied by his loving words and life changing actions. God’s unconditional love entered the world with a new intensity as Jesus chose to give his daily attention to everyone he met and to make every day matter. He chose to spend his days eating with sinners, touching the unclear, living on the margins, bringing hope to the downcast and always in communion with his God. He lived with a mighty purpose, died with a mighty purpose and transformed the world.
God has anointed and consecrated each one of us. The purpose of our lives coincides with the purpose of Jesus’ life. We are called to be the best versions of ourselves, to change our part of the world. Like Jesus, we can care about what and who God cares about. We can be witnesses of hope and healing for family, for friends, for neighbors, for strangers. We can lift burdens, help people to see their own goodness and the goodness of others. We can live each day with gratitude. Empowered by the Spirit of God, we can live heroic lives—we can step up and live for a mighty purpose, make wise choices, and make every day matter.
Sr. Terry Rickard is the Executive Director of RENEW International and a Dominican Sister from Blauvelt, NY.