Often we want to tame or domesticate the Gospel message. When Jesus makes one of his first public proclamations, he quotes from the prophet Isaiah – he has come to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, to recover the sight of the blind, and to let the oppressed go free. The Gospel readings during the daily masses during the Christmas season help us understand why Jesus came into the world in that humble manger in Bethlehem. Perhaps the Gospel message we hear today makes even more sense to us in the context of the works of mercy that we are called to do in our Catholic faith. We celebrate those works of mercy in the Year of Mercy that Pope Francis declared several years ago. I think we are all familiar with the seven corporal works of mercy, which include feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, and visiting the sick and the prisoner. However, there are also seven spiritual works of mercy that are perhaps a bit more unfamiliar to us. Connected to what Jesus proclaims from the prophet Isaiah, we are told to comfort the afflicted, counsel the doubtful, bear wrongs patiently, and forgive offenses willingly. Taking these spiritual works of mercy at face value, they seem to not only challenging but almost impossible. How can we let the oppressed go free? How can we bear wrongs patiently in a society that preaches saving face and getting revenge? Perhaps we are to help those who are oppressed find self-worth and dignity and respect, to help them help themselves. Perhaps being patient in an impatient world is one of the greatest witnesses of all, especially if our patience is an outgrowth of our faith. As we hear our Gospel message today, may we not try to water down what we hear in Sacred Scripture. May we try to meets its challenges.
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