My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Gospel of Luke starts with the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.  Jesus inaugurates his mission in his hometown by announcing that with him the ancient hopes of Israel are being fulfilled.  The “year acceptable to the Lord” refers to the jubilee year in which debts were released and any land or other property that had been sold or given away by the poor was returned (Leviticus 25:10-11).  The year was ordained by God to restore Israelite society after human nature had left some to bind others in debt and even oppression.  Thus Jesus announces that in him God has come to release everyone from the effects of human sin.
 
May this New Year of 2025 be full of God’s blessings and graces for all of you.

May the Lord bless you all!

Devotedly in the Lord,

(The Very Reverend) Aquinas M. Nichols
Pastor