Jer 1:4-5.17-19; Ps 70 (71); 1Cor 12:31-13,13; Lk 4:21-30

The day of salvation resounds in Nazareth, as the fulfillment of God’s promises in Jesus. In Luke’s account, his entire historical story is framed by this today. The first today, in fact, resounds at the moment of birth, in the announcement to the shepherds: «Today a savior has been born for you». The last resounds at the moment of death, in the words that Jesus addresses to the repentant malefactor: “Today you will be in heaven with me”. It is worth observing the change of preposition between the two today: the savior was born for you, announce the angels; you will be with me, declares Jesus. Here is the meaning of his life: he is born for us so that we may be with him near the Father, freed from death and sin. This is what they can not understand the Nazareths, who would like Jesus to do for them what he did for others, as in Capernaum, without understanding the preciousness of his being with them, as one of them. That Jesus lived decades with them does not seem to have any relief in their eyes. Indeed it becomes a reason for refusal. What Jesus does for us is a prophetic sign of a God who is with us and makes his salvation mature where we are. His salvation becomes our true homeland.

Commentary by Comunità di Dumenza

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves, Prinknash Abbey