Third Sunday After the Epiphany
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
We find ourselves as Bishops and other members of the Episcopal Church under attack for being too liberal and for the Bishop of Washington using the pulpit as a political statement. If love and mercy are political, then we are all in trouble. Jesus stood up to read and then interpreted the scriptures he read, which is the job of every preacher. He made the claim that He was there to bring good news to the poor, released to those imprisoned, recovery of sight to the blind, and to bring freedom to the oppressed. It is simply our job as Christians to do likewise. To be like Jesus.
A litany for the Third Sunday After the Epiphany
Loving Creator, your promises are still real
you sent good news to the poor and suffering
freedom to the oppressed, sight to the blind
and every moment a season of your loving favor.
Make us your disciples, Lord, so we might demonstrate your love.
We are lost in the virulence swirling around
troubled by the contempt shown to mercy
anxious for the least in our own communities
and afraid to speak up for fear of punishment.
Make us your disciples, Lord, so we might demonstrate your love.
Your beloved Son opened the scrolls and read
and then told the people to expect that today
that he was sent to tend to the needs of the least
and to speak loving truth to those in power.
Make us your disciples, Lord, so we might demonstrate your love.
We need you here with us in our present world
which is on fire with hate anger and distrust.
Make us your disciples, Lord, so we might demonstrate your love.
Your love gives us the power to show mercy
your spirit enlivens us to love the outcast.
Make us your disciples, Lord, so we might demonstrate your love.
Make us your followers today, Lord Jesus
so that we might carry your love and mercy always.
Make us your disciples, Lord, so we might demonstrate your love. Amen.
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