We are nearing the end of our meditations on Isaiah 61:1-4. We’ve seen how we are anointed to proclaim the good news of God’s love, to bind up the hurting, and to free the captive. Last week we considered our role in both telling of God’s favor and God’s vengeance.
The last couple verses of the citation we are studying gives
some further guidance for living into God's vision. Verse 3 says we are to comfort all who mourn; 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.
The verse in Isaiah says we are to comfort those who mourn. The
citation goes on to say we are to provide a garland instead of ashes…the
oil of gladness [and] the mantle of praise.” Instead of simply
saying “There, there, it will be OK,” as we sometimes do when a child falls
down, we are called to action. We are called to help those who are mourning.
We are to assist them in getting and putting on a garland and mantle, as well
as being anointed with the oil of gladness.
And that means caring for ourselves, too.
In the midst of all the loss, fear, anger, and even despair
felt after this year of pandemic and turmoil, where do we find the garland and
mantle of praise? Where can we find the oil of gladness? How can we put
it on ourselves, much less on those around us who are also hurting?
It can feel hard to reach out, to do one more thing, to even
find the energy to smile. That’s when we must lean into God. Psalm 23:5 says, You
prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head
with oil; my cup overflows. We are promised that God provides, no matter
the outward circumstances. Matthew 5:4 assures us Blessed are those who
mourn, for they will be comforted.
The world around us may be changing rapidly and in ways we
don’t like or even that we fear. The Book of Job in the Old Testament tells of
a man who had all his possessions and even his children taken from him. In all
his trials, Job was reminded to look to the heavens. (Job 11:8, 22:12, 35:5…)
In doing so, he encountered our loving God.
Romans 8:37-39 is another verse to cling to during
unsettling times. Paul tells the church in Rome we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor
angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor
height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. That’s a
pretty big promise, and it isn’t always easy to remember that when we are
sorrowful or mourning.
Then we read Hebrews 1:9 which says that God has anointed
you with the oil of gladness, so we already have what we need! Even
socially distanced, we don’t have be alone. We can help each other find the mantle
of praise and oil of gladness. During this time Mr. Rogers has been
widely quoted as saying what his mother taught him. “Look for the helpers.” A
USA Today article from nearly a year ago used the quote to offer concrete ideas
for becoming a helper. Simply touching
base in a call or card can help someone find the oil of gladness, too.
Another antidote for the dis-ease in lives and society is to
identify things we are grateful for. The Attitude of Gratitude, as some have
called it is important to changing our mindset from negative to hopeful and even
positive. The Rev. Canon Heather Melton’s February UTO article talks about this. During Lent, I plan to intentionally take on the discipline of
looking for things to be grateful for.
This week think about ways you might be grateful or be a
helper to bring a bit of the oil of gladness into the world.
