Luke 4:18 and the praxis of Spiritual Care: A Perspective from Contemporary Chaplainyc

Abstract

This article seeks to explore how Luke 4:18 offers a biblical-theological model for spiritual care in the context of contemporary chaplaincy, particularly in hospital settings. Starting from Jesus’ programmatic declaration in the synagogue of Nazareth, it argues that this passage not only reveals the essence of the Messiah’s mission but also provides a practical guide for spiritual accompaniment in contexts of suffering, vulnerability, and pain. The study’s methodology combines an exegetical-theological analysis of Luke 4:18 with a contextualized pastoral application to the realities of chaplaincy ministry. Key expressions from the passage” proclaim good news to the poor,” “heal the brokenhearted,” “set the oppressed free” are examined and linked to specific functions of the chaplain’s role in hospital environments. The relevance of this article lies in demonstrating the continuity between Jesus’ mission and the present-day role of chaplains, who embody the presence of the Gospel in spaces where proclamation does not come from a pulpit but through attentive presence, empathetic listening, and the shared hope of the Kingdom. In conclusion, Luke 4:18 not only inspires a compassionate vision of spiritual care but also demands a praxis that unites word and action, faith and accompaniment. The hospital corridor thus becomes a new kind of pulpit from which the good news of the Kingdom is proclaimed to those who need it most