Isaiah 61:1-4
We usually find it far easier to think about what other people ought to do than to assume responsibility for what we ought to do. These prophetic words from Isaiah clearly focus on the tougher task! “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me…” Not only is the spirit “upon me,” but my actions implicit in the spirit are spelled out: “bring good tidings to the afflicted; bind up the broken-hearted; proclaim liberty to the captives; comfort all who mourn.” As we live through this time of Advent, these words move us beyond the seasonal joys of holiday food, music and decorations. They move us into a continuous world of acting upon that spirit with which we have been anointed. Tools for us to use are described: “a garland instead of ashes; the oil of gladness instead of mourning; the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.” If we think carefully, we can make each these very, very real in our 2019 world! And what if we were to do this? Isaiah says it would be as if “oaks of righteousness” were to “raise up…and repair…the devastations of many generations.” Can there be anything more important than work such as this?
~ Ed Cole