THE GOSPEL
John 1:6-8, 19-28He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
Send us too,
like John,
Lord.
Let us be the
sound of your voice
crying out in the desert.
Let our whole life be a witness to your light.
Make it our reason for being.
No guile in us.
No dimness.
Not any
more.
THE FIRST READING
Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11The spirit of the Lord God is upon me.
Lord,
you bring glad tidings to the poor.
Let us rejoice in it.
You heal the brokenhearted.
Heal us too.
You free prisoners from their jails.
Free us from everything that shackles us today.
Loving God,
please come to us,
and send us out—forgiven, healed—
to the poor, the brokenhearted, and the prisoners.
THE SECOND READING
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24Rejoice always.
let us rejoice in you,
and then let everything work together for us,
whether listening to you or not,
feeling your presence
or not––
still,
let it be our unceasing prayer,
as you embrace us
with love.
Let us never
quench your Spirit.
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