Daily Gospel Reflection
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January 9, 2025
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,
and news of him spread throughout the whole region.
He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.
He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up,
and went according to his custom
into the synagogue on the sabbath day.
He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
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
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,
and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.
He said to them,
“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
And all spoke highly of him
and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.
In today’s gospel, Jesus declares his mission with boldness and clarity: to bring glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives, sight to the blind, and freedom to the oppressed. His words resound as a call to action, not just for his time but for every generation seeking justice and inclusion. As the Chair of the Black Alumni of Notre Dame, this passage deeply resonates with our mission: to increase the presence and visibility of Black students, faculty, and alumni on campus, ensuring their voices are heard and their contributions recognized.
Our work is grounded in the same Spirit that empowered Jesus. It calls us to bring glad tidings to those who have often felt excluded from this community, to proclaim liberty from systemic barriers, and to restore sight to those who fail to see the richness that diversity brings. This mission, though steeped in challenges, is also steeped in hope—a hope that each effort brings us closer to a Notre Dame that fully embodies its Catholic values of equity, inclusion, and shared humanity.
When Jesus proclaimed, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing,” He reminded us that change begins in the present. Likewise, our efforts as Black Alumni of Notre Dame are not merely about a distant ideal but about what we can achieve today: fostering belonging, amplifying voices, and building bridges. Together, we strive to live out the gospel’s call to let the oppressed go free and proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord—on campus and beyond.
Prayer
Jesus, help us always to remember that you are Lord and Savior. You are the fulfillment of history’s yearning. At the close of this day, we pray that we, too, can “bring good news to the poor.” Guide us to walk with those in pain. And bring us the insight to let go of anything that keeps us captive. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Sts. Julian and Basilissa were a married couple living in Egypt during the third and fourth centuries. They lived very simply and dedicated their lives to caring for the poor and sick. They converted their home to a hospital, which was said to serve nearly 1,000 people at a time.
After Basilissa died, Julian continued in his good works. During a persecution of Christians by the Roman empire, he sheltered priests from being captured and tortured. He himself was caught and tortured before being beheaded. Many others, including priests in hiding, were arrested with him and also martyred, including seven brothers; a recent convert to Christianity named Anastasius; as well as a boy, Celsus, and his mother.
The relics of Sts. Anastasius, Celsus, and Julian rest in the Basilica reliquary chapel.
Sts. Julian and Basilissa, you were the married couple who gave everything to care for the poor and sick, pray for us!