Tom Barnard

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,

to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year the Lord’s favor.”

(Luke 4:18, 19)

These are words spoken by Jesus about his mission, but they are words written hundreds of years before Jesus was born. They were words recorded in Isaiah 61, verses 1 and 2. They are words against which today’s churches might want to compare their mission statement.

“…preach…proclaim…recovery…release…”

And for whom?

“…the poor…the prisoners…the blind…the oppressed”

In other words—Jesus reached out to everyone who had needs that could not be met by human effort alone. His ministry was inclusive. Should the ministry of today’s church be any less inclusive?

In his August 27, 2007 edition of Monday Moments, Dr. Michael Halleen wrote:

            A story is told about some soldiers in France during World War I who brought the body

            of a dead comrade to a church cemetery for burial. The local priest said he was sorry

            but he could not bury anyone there who had not been baptized. So the soldiers sadly

            buried the body just outside the cemetery fence. Next morning they returned to leave

            some money for the upkeep of the grave but could not find it. Bewildered, they looked

            for the priest, and he led them to a spot just inside the cemetery wall. He had been

            bothered by his denial of their request, and early that morning he had moved the fence

            to include the grave of their dear friend. Old rules had established a boundary, but

            compassion had moved it.

It reminds me of four lines of verse written by poet Edwin Markham (1852-1940)

He drew a circle that shut me out,

Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.

But Love and I had the wit to win,

We drew a circle that took him in.

Heavenly Father, by nature I like small circles—circles that include loved ones, close friends, people I have admired, mentors who have influenced my life, pastors who have prayed for me and with me, teachers who have pointed me in the right direction. By nature, Lord, you prefer a wide circle that provides hope and a place for everyone. Help me see the circle you see for me. Then help me widen my circle to include folks that cross my path. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

For information about how to subscribe to Michael Halleen’s Monday Moments, you can reach him at mhalleen@att.net.