The Spirit of the Lord is upon me

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Ubi Caritas

Cape Town Camerata

Today is Holy Thursday, the 2nd of April.

The Cape Town Camerata sings, 'Ubi caritas est vera, Deus ibi est': Wherever love is true, God is there. These words, traditionally sung at tonight’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper, during the washing of feet, express the presence of God in every act of goodness, of kindness, of love. What acts of goodness and kindness and love have you seen so far today? Did you recognise God’s presence there? And look at the people around you. Outside of this train, or bus, or wherever it is you are right now, what goodness and kindness and love might there be in their lives? Can you recognise God, present in them too?

3:31

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 4:16-21

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 favour.’

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.’

5:20

Wash Me

We Dream of Eden

On Holy Thursday we think specially of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet and sharing the Eucharist with them for the first time. As we remember the opening of his public ministry, ask him to bring to your mind and heart whatever sign of healing and liberation he gave that is most important to you.

What is the poverty within you to which Jesus responds with good news? Is there any compulsion or disordered attachment from which you particularly long to be set free? Now is a graced time to ask this gift of Jesus, anointed by the Spirit to bring us good news.

Listen now to the reading as it is repeated. How do the words and actions of Jesus speak to the needs of the world as you see them?

8:26

Luke 4:16-21

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 favour.’

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.’

9:56

On this day when the Church remembers the liberation of God’s people from slavery and the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist, how do you want to become more deeply one with him? Take time now to ask for what you most long for.

12:13

We adore you O Christ and we bless you

For by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.

Amen