Jesus was sent to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Jesus used the words of the prophet Isaiah to remind us that God desires to bring good news to the poor. When Jesus proclaimed this at the beginning of his public ministry I do not think that we was saying that this next year would be a year of the Lord’s favor, but rather that this was the beginning of a new understanding of how God would interact with the world.

Every new year we should consider how we will bring good news to the poor, and how we will usher in God’s favor. We are sent to be the messengers, and to actively participate in bring God’s favor to those who need it the most.

God, help me to proclaim, in word and in deeds, your favor to the poor.