“Isaiah 61, Day 1” (2 panels)
Isaiah 61:1
©️2020 Gloria M. Chang
Jesus proclaims the ultimate Jubilee: true freedom from sin’s chains, ushering in everlasting favor and beatitude.
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
Isaiah 61:1-2a
because the Lord has anointed me;
He has sent me to bring good news to the afflicted,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
release to the prisoners,
To announce a year of favor from the Lord
and a day of vindication by our God.
The Lord of Jubilee
Reading from a scroll of the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue of his hometown, Nazareth, Jesus solemnly declared, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:18-21). In Jubilee fashion, the Savior announced the ultimate release of slaves and debtors in the “year of favor” (Leviticus 25:10-11).
Authentic Freedom
As codified in the ancient Mosaic Covenant, personal and collective freedom beat at the heart of the Jubilee law. Filled with the plenitude of grace and virtue, children made in the image of God flourish in the ocean of divine freedom. For authentic freedom is the freedom to know, love, and serve God, unfettered by sin.
Freedom and Beatitude
The anointed king and bearer of good tidings to the poor came to set his people free from the bondage of sin, the only path to universal peace. Interior freedom from sin is the key to exterior freedom and a just society. Jesus Christ, crowned on the cross with thorns, triumphs over all earthly kings and governments. While all sociopolitical solutions to human misery and slavery fade into the dust, the risen Christ reigns forever. Anointed with the Spirit of the Lord, the King of Kings alone holds the key to ultimate freedom and beatitude.
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
John 8:36 (ESV)
Dear GMC, I will pray for you and your intentions as I meditate on the Luminous mysteries tonight. Thank you for your reflections and responses. They speak to my heart and help me reflect, pray, and act!
Thank you, fdan! May the luminous mysteries of Christ guide you to the ever-shining Light!
I am anointed in Baptism
To bring the good news.
On my way I hear
about heavy burdens
others must bear.
I hope to lift their hearts
Free them from captivity,
Tell them the Son set them free.
Not my own doing,
Trusting the Father’s love,
Holy Spirit guided,
Walking with brother Jesus,
Isaiah hope supplied.
Anointed sister, may you walk joyfully with Brother Jesus, guided by the Spirit.
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the one bringing good news,
Announcing peace, bearing good news,
announcing salvation, saying to Zion,
“Your God is King!”
Isaiah 52:7
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
from Matthew 1, 18-25
No quiet divorce for Joseph,
not part of God’s salvation plan.
After angelic messenger visit,
he trusts God will do
what no human can.
He did as the Lord commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
Isaiah foretold Jesus’ birth,
angels announced, wise men followed him.
Through century after century,
Anointed with the Spirit of the Lord,
the King of Kings
holds the key to ultimate freedom and mystery.
Amen! May the King’s key open our hearts this Christmas!