Proclaiming Favor and Justice
Thank you for following our Faith+Justice+Lent Series on Luke 4:18-19. We hope that these reflections have been a blessing to you. Here is a final reflection by Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver, founder and president of the FaithJustice Foundation. Click here for the full series.
“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.”
– Luke 4:18-19
Thank you for joining us in our Faith+Justice+Lent series as we journeyed from Lent to Easter with reflections on Luke 4:18-19. During this time, we considered the anointing of the Holy Spirit through contemplative practices that serve as a foundation for meaningful action. We also asserted that good news to the poor includes a calling for people of faith to go beyond mercy ministry to acts that reduce systemic poverty and create a more just society. We were reminded that release to the captives means that we no longer have to live as though subject to imperialism but as free citizens of God’s kin-dom. We were called to repentance and new insight for the ways that justice movements have not been inclusive of people with disabilities. Finally, we were challenged to do our part wherever we are to help the oppressed go free.
“In social justice ministry, we are called to be prophetic, to testify in the midst of death to the promise of resurrection.”
We conclude by proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favor. For inasmuch as Jesus initiates his ministry with these words from Luke, surely resurrection reflects the fulfillment of these words. But before we conclude, let us revisit the prophetic passage from which Jesus was reading. By now, we are familiar with the beginning of the passage as recorded in Luke. But Jesus would have been familiar with the entire passage from Isaiah, which continues…
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.
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.
– Isaiah 61:3-4
When we consider the context of this passage, we realize that Jesus quotes a post-exilic text written during a time of disenchantment, poverty, captivity, and oppression. In the midst of these difficult times, there is a prophetic message of good news, release and freedom. In a time of ashes, the prophet offers a garland. In a time of mourning, the prophet offers the oil of gladness. In times that would produce a faint spirit, the prophet offers a mantle of praise. Moreover, in a time of ruin and destruction, the prophet calls the community to rebuild.
Friends, I believe that these words reflect the essence of social justice ministry. As we confront a difficult time in our nation, we are reminded that challenging times are meant to call forth the best in us, to test our resolve, and to challenge our faith. We are called to be prophetic, to testify in the midst of death to the promise of resurrection.
“Let us commit to working together to rebuild what poverty and injustice has destroyed and to resurrect hope in our communities and our world.”
Truly there can be no better indication of God’s favor than resurrection. If resurrection symbolizes victory over death, then resurrection also reflects the defeat of poverty, captivity, spiritual blindness, and oppression. But it must happen through us. After all, we are Easter people, people of the resurrection. Therefore, during this Eastertide season, let us strengthen our commitment to comfort those who mourn due to poverty, injustice, and oppression. Let us proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor as we work for justice, equity, inclusion, and freedom. And let us commit to working together to rebuild what poverty and injustice has destroyed and to resurrect hope in our communities and our world.
Easter Blessings,
Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver, JD
Founder and President
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