Tuesday's Text--Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

The first reading for the third Sunday of Advent is Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11.

The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, 

because the LORD has anointed me; 

he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, 

to bind up the brokenhearted, 

to proclaim liberty to the captives, 

and release to the prisoners; 

² to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, 

and the day of vengeance of our God; 

to comfort all who mourn; 

³ 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. 

They will be called oaks of righteousness, 

the planting of the LORD, to display his glory. 

⁴ They shall build up the ancient ruins, 

they shall raise up the former devastations; 

they shall repair the ruined cities, 

the devastations of many generations.

For I the LORD love justice, 

I hate robbery and wrongdoing; 

I will faithfully give them their recompense, 

and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 

⁹ Their descendants shall be known among the nations, 

and their offspring among the peoples; 

all who see them shall acknowledge 

that they are a people whom the LORD has blessed. 

¹⁰ I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, 

my whole being shall exult in my God; 

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, 

he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, 

as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, 

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 

¹¹ For as the earth brings forth its shoots, 

and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, 

so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise 

to spring up before all the nations.

What good news to you see in this text?

What questions do you have?

What don't you understand?

How does this apply to you/us today?