All of our readings address laws and codes of behavior that reflect our value in God and for life. The people in the time of Nehemiah wept upon hearing the Word of God. The ancient Jews cried out with love proclaiming holiness and joy in living the law of the Lord.
Included in Nehemiah are autobiographical portions scattered throughout the Book. They are called the “Memoirs of Nehemiah.” The authenticity of Nehemiah’s memoirs is widely accepted. His writings speak of a man dedicated to the single purpose of the welfare of his people. While serving as cupbearer to the king at the Persian court in Susa, Nehemiah received permission from Artaxerxes I to fortify Jerusalem, and then served as governor of Judah for two terms. Nehemiah was a man of good practical sense combined with deep faith in God. He used his influence as governor of Judah to serve God and the fledgling Jewish community in Jerusalem. Living the law of God, does not bring sadness but joy; as we celebrate God in our lives we rejoice.
We rejoice with the commands of being a part of the Body of Christ, we share in the care of those that Jesus addresses in his gospel of Luke for today-people who are so easily shunned or forgotten: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord”.
Quoting Isaiah, Jesus announces a “year of favor” (“a year acceptable to the Lord”). The people hearing it would know what he was announcing: A Jubilee year which took place every 50 years, as debts would be canceled, slaves set free, lands returned to their original owners and people given a chance to start anew. Jesus announces that now Jubilee freedom would become a reality through his words and actions. “Now” – not in some distant future. God’s promise is made flesh in Jesus and the Reign of God made present and in us NOW. We know there is joy when we serve others in their needs showing His presence in the world and us. When we do we overcome the negativity in the world around us through our witness of goodness and care–living Jesus’ mission by doing good. We strive to eliminate economical, racial, cultural, and bigotry that divides us. For the Law of God is seen as liberating, not something that is restrictive.
If we really think about it, we can understand the joy and the freedom we receive when we adhere to the principles of our faith life, our morality. If a code of morality is supposed to be somber and oppressive then why are some of the happiest people in the world those who strive to live Christ? Like many of the Trappist and Camaldolese monks I have made retreats with. They have to get up in the middle of the night for prayer, come together for prayer 5 times day/night and spend many hours working at their jobs. Their diets are restricted and they take vows of silence. Yet, they are happy and are some of the brightest people I’ve met-not social misfits, people with no place in society trying to escape life. They are people whose lives point us to the true source of happiness-living intimately in Christ and his laws of love.
What about those who break laws, become chemically addicted, resort to all sorts of inappropriate behavior and wake up wondering who and where they are—happy? Some of them finally realize that their way of life destroys all meaning in life. I know firsthand ministering in juvenile hall, jails and prisons.
And as we are forced to look at Roe versus Wade this week, I have never met anyone who could look back on an abortion with joy; having counseled a number of women I know. If you are suffering from such a choice in your life, please come and see me, I can help the healing, or look for our next Rachel’s Vineyard retreat which takes place in Santa Rosa March 4-6 information is in our bulletin; of course the retreat is judgment free, compassionate and healing.
Jesus tells his hearers, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke is reminding us we don’t have to wait for some future time and place for God to come to set us free – it is happening “Today.”
We hear echoes of the Jubilee proclamation from Jesus in Pope Francis’ declaring a “Year of Mercy.” He is challenging the whole Church to practice mercy – as an institution and as individuals. It is to be our manner of living. Today we are anointed to proclaim liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind and freedom for the oppressed. Today we are sent by Jesus to act justly and mercifully in large and small ways, in our manner of living. Now, ours is Jesus’ work of mercy. Look around to see with the eyes the Spirit has given us; listen with ears anointed by that Spirit; see and hear the urgent needs of people and, empowered by the Spirit, respond.
It is then that we witness our faith not only in words but in deeds. St. Paul tells us: “The body is one and has many members, but all the members, many though they are, are one body, one Spirit, and you then are the body of Christ. Every one of you is a member.”