Good News to the Poor

Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free,

to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." Luke 4:14-21

Good News to the Poor

The sky crisp and clear
a fingernail moon reigns over
as they huddle together
over a small source of heat.

Our world broken by the greed
abundance squandered on the few
the good news held in captivity
joy held prisoner behind bars.

The open scroll promises freedom
healing and release for all
we would hide this shattering love
keeping it for the minority of power.

The sky break open with rain
and the beloved hover in doorways
shelter one another as water baptizes
working to clean the world yet again.

In the deep darkness of winter coming
love is fracturing the binds of cruelty
tearing down the walls of bigotry
feeding the hungry and clothing all.