Luke 4:18-19
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
18 “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,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Don’t Panic
In me, the Spirit strikes dissonant notes,
harsh chimes to get my attention, and
I know too the glorious hymns of praise,
the sweet flute and glorious strings of gorgeous musicians,
and striking hymns of Michelle, John, Ray and Kaitlyn,
but today and often,
the chimes are discordant,
and now I hear the Word.
Oppressed are not free when they have not heard,
Town councils are not just unless they hear.
Mother maidens are not released until they hear,
Laborers labor in vain until they hear.
We listen and hear:
Joy in the Word!
Justice for the world.
(c) Tom Bolton, 26 January 2014, West Allis
Luke 4:18-21
The Message (MSG)
16-21 He came to Nazareth where he had been reared. As he always did on the Sabbath, he went to the meeting place. When he stood up to read, he was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written,
God’s Spirit is on me;
he’s chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor,
Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and
recovery of sight to the blind,
To set the burdened and battered free,
to announce, “This is God’s year to act!”
He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on him, intent. Then he started in, “You’ve just heard Scripture make history. It came true just now in this place.”
Hopeful 