Whenever I listen to the overture of a favourite musical, when the music wafts into my ears, it evokes memories of the entire performance. As the musical strains gently play a selection of chords from each song, they give a taste of what will unfold.

Today’s Gospel reading is a bit like Jesus’ overture. As we prayerfully listen to his gracious words two thousand years later, they evoke for us the dramatic and extraordinary story that will unfold during the next three years of his life. For Jesus, Isaiah’s words come alive in his own person – and not on some future date, but at that very moment. And the remainder of Jesus’ short life will be lived out in such a way that these words keep coming true.

 As we embark on this liturgical year and enter into the time that is called ordinary, perhaps, like Jesus, we can make the words of Isaiah our own overture. Each of us has been anointed; each of us is called to bring the Good News to the poor; each of us is called to let the gracious words of Jesus unfold in our own ordinary lives and shape them – not in some distant or imaginary future; rather, at this very moment, today.

                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                      Sr. Kathryn, pddm