3rd Sunday After Epiphany
Luke 4:14-21 (NRSV)
Jesus reads the prophet Isaiah
Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
Reflection
This fishing trip was one of the best I had ever been on. The guys were great and the wives were having a blast. We took a yacht out that day into the Gulf. Everyone was involved with conversation and laughter. The wives were tanning and the men were fishing. Our captain was a great host of the party.
The day was sunny and pleasant, but as the afternoon became late we noticed some clouds towards the direction of land. We were heading back after a wonderful day and our captain was trying to avoid the rough waves of the storm. A wrong turn and the waves were tossing the yacht back and forth and up and down. It seemed as if danger was certain. As the captain pulled back and went deeper into the Gulf away from the storm, evening began to fall. At least the waters were a bit calmer than before, but we were heading away from land.
Our captain did his best to keep us in calm waters and he did, but within several hours we realized that he was lost. Our captain kept us in calm waters but had no idea where we were or where we were headed. The radio on ship was not working properly. It hadn't worked before we left land. The captain knew it needed repair but didn't think we would need it for an afternoon fun trip. Now we needed it and it was of no use.
Unbeknownst to us in the Gulf, some of our friends had missed us and reported our delay in coming back to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard took what information they could gather from friends and family and began to enter this information into SAROPS (Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System). This system took into account the information gathered from friends and family about the boat, the waters and the currents, the weather and the winds, major Gulf currents and gives a list of prioritized results.
Then C-130 planes were dispatched, cutters and helicopters were deployed for rescue.
On the yacht, it was afternoon of the following day. The yacht had been damaged to the extent that it was taking on water and beginning to sink. Rafts were deployed and we got into the rafts. As we drifted away we could see the yacht go down.
Soon we heard a helicopter nearby somewhere. We could see it in the distance. Yes, the helicopter saw us! We were saved! On the return trip to land we were told by the pilot and crew what was happening behind the scenes with this rescue. We were made aware of the planning that went into our rescue. We listened and were amazed at how our lives had become the focus of so many caring and loving people. Our fun cruise turned into a cruise that involved so many people, friends, family and Coast Guard. We weren't in this by ourselves after all. We were rescued through the love of so many people.
Even one life saved is worth the effort, the communication, the planning and all the resources available. One life saved. One life saved. So many times, as in our case many lives are saved. Rescued through the love of others. Why all this effort, we asked the pilot of the helicopter? For him... it was because his life was saved through the caring of the Coast Guard. His one life. He had a decision to make about what he would do with his one life saved. He decided to listen to the Spirit of God that day he was saved. So in great joy, the helicopter pilot gave his life to the Coast Guard that day and he gave his life to God. This pilot listened and believed in a God that would send the Coast Guard to save his one life. His question to us was... what will you do now that you have heard about your life saved?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we hear the Word you have spoken this day. We realize why you were sent for us. You're, so close and familiar to some and so unfamiliar to others. You have spoken the Word of the prophet. That Word is you. You are the anointed One, the One to set us free, the One to save us from sin, death and the devil. I hear your voice and I believe... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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