The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me

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

The Spirit of the Lord

In the quiet of the night I prayed

make me an instrument of peace

help me be a way to your healing

let me be a conduit of all things good.

Convicted by the Spirit is humbling

so many would hear God's voice

only if it comes with personal gain

not if we are brought low by our brokenness.

Come hear the Spirit of the Lord

who invites us to bend and serve

asking us to see the beauty in all

keeping us from serving self alone.

We who would follow the Beloved One

must spread love and healing daily

turning from our selfish desires that damage

lifting others up always before us.