Isaiah 61:1-4
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 captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion–to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.
Questions for the Brokenhearted
What are you experiencing today?
What do you need instead?
A garland instead of ashes?
A birth announcement instead of an obituary?
An invitation instead of a rejection?
A word of peace instead of an argument?
The oil of gladness instead of mourning?
The new episode of your life’s story instead of the re-run?
The smile of a friend instead of the glare of a critic?
The warm blanket instead of a cold draft?
The mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit?
The laughter that rises from your belly instead of the despair that catches in your throat?
The courage that propels you instead of the fear that restrains you?
The empty tomb instead of the newly dug grave?
A tearless morn instead of a tear-soaked pillow?
Come, Jesus, come. Provide for those who mourn this day. Hold us close with a love that will never let us go. Amen.
Today’s accompanying song is O Love by Elaine Hagenberg.