(314) 727-9540 | 320 North Forsyth Blvd
Clayton, Missouri 63105
(314) 727-9540 | 320 North Forsyth Blvd
Clayton, Missouri 63105
Isaiah 61:1-9
1 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;
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
3 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.
4 They shall build up the ancient ruins,
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.
5 Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks,
foreigners shall till your land and dress your vines;
6 but you shall be called priests of the Lord,
you shall be named ministers of our God;
you shall enjoy the wealth of the nations,
and in their riches you shall glory.
7 Because their shame was double,
and dishonor was proclaimed as their lot,
therefore they shall possess a double portion;
everlasting joy shall be theirs.
8 For I the Lord love justice,
I hate robbery and wrongdoing;
I will faithfully give them their recompense,
and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants shall be known among the nations,
and their offspring among the peoples;
all who see them shall acknowledge
that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed.
Written by Betty Burnett
Betty is a member of Samuel Church, active in various ministries, especially social justice issues.
The Spirit whispers and we – wrapping our priestly robes around us – shout out, Hola! The cages are open – Bienvenidos! Take this blessing of softest wool for your shivering shoulders and comfort for your heart.
Huanying! Ni hao! G’day! Shalom! Please join us for tea, all of you. Crowd around the table – there is plenty.
Yo! Here is a shimmering rainbow crown for each of your children and garments that sing hallelujah. Together we erase the Delmar Divide – the walls and barbed wire disappear.
Everywhere gunfire is silenced. We rebuild devastated ruins, collapsed barns, crumbling houses, forgotten bodegas.
For the wide and hungry world, we plant oaks of righteousness, palm trees, maples, pine trees, and giant firs. We clear the ocean’s plastic and restore the glaciers. Lion and lamb? Of course!
Birds of a feather, fine kettles of fish, horse of a different color, cats’ pajamas, turning worms, flying pigs – all are welcome.
Shame? Pish-posh, vanished. If you’re cis and you know it, clap your hands. If you’re non-cis and you know it, clap your hands and whistle.
And check your bank account right away – your inheritance has already been deposited. Interest is accumulating, all in our favor. Huzzah!
With the Spirit leading our parade of gratitude – piccolos, snare drums and big, fat tubas – we salute justice. We raise flags to our wonderful variety and sing anthems to friendship. Everywhere is the music of freedom. We are blessed.
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