Let Us Bring Good News: Lenten Devotions

Saturday, April 16

Before he began his ministry, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness. The devil tested his faith, yet Jesus chose to stay true to the Father. At the end of this trial, the angels of the Lord ministered to him. That wilderness experience strengthened his resolve to do what God had called him to do. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus went to a synagogue in his hometown, and before the community that had gathered, he proclaimed:

“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.”

In a time where slavery was commonplace, the poor were abused and cheated of their earnings, where people were brutally suppressed, imprisoned, tortured, and crucified even, if they spoke out against how heavily they were taxed, Jesus made a dangerous and seemingly foolish prophetic declaration. Who was this man to speak in such a forthright fashion? Who was this man to stand on the side of the least of these? Who was this man to speak against the unjust decisions the authorities made?

As Christians, we believe this man is the living God. And we spend 40 days in the wilderness of Lent focusing on prayer, fasting, repentance, acts of charity, and justice in order to draw closer to him. We enter into Lent, earnestly striving to mature in our faith so we can truly be impelled by the same Spirit that moved Jesus.

Let us be like Jesus. Let us come out of this wilderness experience with resolve, knowing that the Spirit of the Lord is upon us. Yes, let us bring good news to the poor.

Flavia De Souza is Northeast field organizer with Bread for the World.