Ordinary Time 
Pause
Amid life’s noise and distractions, take a moment to quiet your heart. Reflect on the gentle, steady ways God leads you:
Through creation, scripture, and the quiet nudges of the Spirit.
Are you aligning your path with God’s?
Listen
Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. On the Sabbath he went to the synagogue as he normally did and stood up to read. The synagogue assistant gave him the scroll from the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to liberate the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the synagogue assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the synagogue was fixed on him. He began to explain to them, “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled just as you heard it.”
Luke 4:16-21
Think
Following Jesus’ way means engaging with those who are marginalized and offering hope to those who are suffering. It calls each of us to be conduits of God’s love and grace in a world that often feels dark and divided. When we follow Christ’s way, we not only reflect God’s heart but also allow God’s light to shine through us, transforming our communities and lives. We are challenged to uproot any indifference or complacency in our hearts and embrace action driven by compassion and purpose.
As we follow God’s ways, let us remember that we are empowered by God’s Spirit to make a difference in the lives of others, whether in our schools, workplaces, churches, or neighborhoods. By living out this calling, we are not only following Jesus but inviting others to experience the radical love of God that can change everything.
Ida Tyree-Hyche Hill
Question to Ponder:
How can we actively participate in Jesus’ mission of bringing hope and freedom to those around us in our daily lives?
Pray
Loving God, thank you for Jesus’ example of love and compassion in his ministry. Help me to be brave and intentional in following your ways, reaching out to those in need and sharing your message of hope. Amen.
Go
Step forward with purpose,
carrying the joy of the Lord in your heart,
walking boldly in God’s ways,
and sharing light with everyone you encounter.
