‘‘They were astounded at his teaching because he spoke with authority.’’ (Luke 4:32)

There is a beautiful synchronicity throughout the readings today, beginning with this one from St Paul.

‘Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.’. So writes St Paul in the first reading of today’s liturgy (1 Thess 5:11). It is an exhortation that reflects the hope and trust Paul himself has for Christ who ‘has died for us, that we might live,’ and which he uses also to praise and encourage his fledgling Christian community in Thessalonica.

The responsorial psalm, Psalm 26 (27), is one of the more profound of the Psalter – so much so that it has been used to underpin this year’s Year of Jubilee Pilgrims of Hope theme. Throughout, there is an element of surety in which the psalmist places their complete faith in God with the knowledge that they will never lose hope: ‘I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness’…

This same degree of certainty is reflected in the gospel story where those who listened to Jesus’ words and witnessed his actions were astounded by the authority with which he spoke and thereby the power of his teaching.

Having reflected on these readings today, I was moved to adapt the words of the psalm as a prayer directly to my God who is there by my side:

You are my light and my help; whom shall I fear?

You are the stronghold of my life; before whom shall I shrink?

I am sure I shall see Your goodness in the land of the living.

I hope, I hold firm, I take heart in You,

for you are my Lord and my God.