We become used to the great speeches which define what is central to a person's life. They have an immortal air to them not only because they speak to the people who first heard them but they speak across the ages. They have an ability to capture hearts and minds in a way which transforms the life of communities. This is especially true of the proclamation made by Jesus in the synagogue. He is not simply trying to capture people's attention but he is trying to say something by the person he is. He seeks to bring freedom to people who are captive to their circumstances, he seeks to bring Good News to people stricken by poverty, he seeks to help people see clearly what it that they need to do and he seeks to lift burdens off people who are trampled down in life. This is at the heart of the jubilee year. It is not simply about acts of charity but being a person who is charitable in the attitude to life; who is not a dispenser of mercy but a person who lives mercy, who does not simply inspire hope but is hope to others. This week we will honour many Australians who help us to discover these attitudes to life who bring the Gospel of this weekend to life within our communities.
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