Logos: 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 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. (Isaiah 6:1-3a)

The Year of our Lord 2020 has been a doozy, hasn't it? Think about where we stand right now. There are those among us who are mourning the lose of loved ones - to the virus, to violence, to hatred, to negligence, to illness. There are those among us who are homeless, jobless, hopeless. There are those among us who are oppressed, alone, lost. The world needs the spirit of the Lord.

And not only Israel, but we are anointed by the Lord. To do what? Just look around? How can you change the year to one that is the Year of the Lord's Favor? How can you bring good news? Bring justice to the oppressed? Heal broken hearts? Proclaim freedom? How can you, today, bring comfort to those who are crying for the loss of those they love? How can you bring your neighbors out of the ashes? What can we do to offer gladness and a healing balm? Where can we offer praise?

We are anointed for this work.

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom desks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)

We are anointed. We are equipped. We are blessed so that we can love our neighbors.