Reflection on the 3nd Sunday in Ordinary Time from the ReKnew Your Faith Program Director, Br. Karlo Cruz

“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21)

In the Gospel today, we find Jesus standing in the synagogue of Nazareth, proclaiming a passage from Isaiah: “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, recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord” (Luke 4:18-19). Then, in a striking revelation, He declares, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

This moment is monumental. Jesus reveals that He is the fulfillment of the Scriptures. But more than that, He makes it clear that His mission is not exclusive to the chosen people of Israel; it is universal, encompassing all nations, both Jews and Gentiles. He invites everyone —the poor, the captive, the blind, the oppressed to partake in the salvation He brings. His message is one of radical inclusivity and hope.

Jesus’ words in the synagogue challenge the prevailing understanding of salvation. For centuries, many Jews believed that the Messiah would come solely for Israel, to restore the nation to its former glory. But Jesus’ proclamation turns this expectation on its head. The good news is for the poor — not just the materially poor, but the spiritually impoverished, the marginalized, and those yearning for God’s mercy. He proclaims liberty and healing, offering salvation to anyone who opens their heart to Him.

This universality of Christ’s mission can sometimes be uncomfortable. In the verses following this Gospel passage, the people of Nazareth, initially amazed at Jesus’ words, grow indignant when He speaks of God’s blessings being extended to Gentiles, citing the examples of Elijah and Elisha ministering to non-Israelites. Yet, this is the heart of the Gospel: salvation is for all.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati lived this inclusivity in a remarkable way. A man of deep faith and boundless charity, Pier Giorgio saw Christ in every person he encountered, regardless of their social status, ethnicity, or beliefs. He befriended the poor and marginalized, not out of pity but out of genuine love and respect. For him, Christ’s message was clear: we are all part of God’s family.

Pier Giorgio’s life reminds us that inclusivity in Christ goes beyond mere tolerance. It is an active commitment to love and serve others, recognizing their inherent dignity as children of God. His devotion to the Eucharist and the Beatitudes fueled his desire to bring the joy of Christ to everyone, especially those most in need of hope.

As followers of Christ, we are called to carry on this mission of inclusivity. In a world that often divides along lines of race, class, and ideology, we must strive to build bridges, not walls. The Church, as the Body of Christ, is called to be a beacon of unity, where all are welcomed and loved.

This is particularly relevant as we journey toward the Jubilee Year 2025, a time to rediscover the universality of God’s love and mercy. Let us take inspiration from Jesus’ proclamation in the synagogue and from the life of Blessed Pier Giorgio. Let us embrace the poor, the marginalized, and the forgotten, bringing the light of Christ into their lives.