Third Sunday of Advent – Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captive, and release to the prisoners;… (Isaiah 61:1, NRSV)

There’s more but you’ll have to read it yourself. It’s quite a daunting list. While we wait in expectation this Advent season, it would behoove us to think on these words.

We could say these tasks are Isaiah’s problem because he seems to be the one saying them, he’s the “me” in this passage. We could then say Jesus took these words unto himself and made them his own problem because he clearly did bring good news, he did bind, and proclaim and release…

So do we stop there? First Isaiah, then Jesus? I’m guessing you know better than that. I’d bet a whole fruit cake you know these words still apply to you and me, that the “me” is us.

Just do it.

Holy One, the list is long: bringing good news, binding up the broken, proclaiming liberty, releasing, comforting, planting… The ground is hard. The way is long.  I am often scared. But your Spirit is upon me and through you, I can do this. Hold my hand. Amen.

– The Reverend Fay Ann Blaylock, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Zion United Church of Christ