Isaiah 61:1-4 (NRSV)

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;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
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.
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.

God of good news,
you have invited us to bring hope to the poor,
to comfort the brokenhearted,
and to proclaim freedom for the imprisoned.
You have given us your mission to be our mission.
May your mission alone be our desire.
Remove our ambition.
May your love alone guide us.
Amen.