December 6th

Daily Reading

Isaiah 61:1-2

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
for the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.
He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,
and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.

Luke 4:18-19

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,
and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

Psalm 110:4

The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow:
“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 5:5-6

That is why Christ did not honor himself by assuming he could become High Priest. No, he was chosen by God, who said to him,

“You are my Son.
    Today I have become your Father.”

And in another passage God said to him,

“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

(Readings taken from Bible Gateway, https://www.biblegateway.com/ New Living Translation)

Loved to Liberate

For some, Christmas is not the ‘season to be jolly’.

In fact, around the world, Christmas represents a season of deep and anguished sadness.

Painful memories resurface.

Loss and grief reappear.

Disappointments emerge.

As we witness materialism and consumer-driven behaviours in ourselves and our community, we are confronted with the stark reality that privilege is not an even playing field.

In places and spaces globally, millions suffer under the plight of poverty.

Children are hungry. Women enslaved. Cultures burdened by inequity.

As I ponder the reading today I consider the words of Isaiah, repeated by Jesus:

“…the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the broken-hearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.
He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the Lord’s favour has come…”

The combined philanthropic efforts of the global Church have made an enormous impact on social injustices. Financial aid and support to the poor. Programs and assistance for the brokenhearted. Advocacy for captives, prisoners, and the oppressed. Counsel for those who mourn.

Grievously, the institution of the Church, represented by broken and flawed people, has also enacted indisputable harm throughout its history. That is not, however, the fulfilment of its mission.

Jesus came as the incarnate representative of God.  Jesus came to declare hope for the poor and oppressed. Authentic followship of Jesus ought to cause our hearts to grieve at injustice and move us to respond.

Isaiah’s prophetic promise reminds us that Christmas is not about materialism – but instead, Jesus’ mission, to mend broken-heartedness.