Today, we look at a Day 3 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “Holy Trinity, Wholly Love.”

Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4

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 broken-hearted,
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.

Reflection

You are a preacher.

Did you know that? It’s true!

The third day of our summer camp curriculum focuses on the third person of the Trinity: the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is likened to the wind, blowing where she pleases in seemingly unpredictable ways. She is the one who stirs up our hearts, who causes us to speak, who propels us into action. There are moments in our lives when we feel propelled to do something profoundly good. Following those moments we might say, “I don’t know what came over me!” And the truth is, the Holy Spirit came over you! “The Spirit of the Lord is upon you!” to borrow Isaiah’s language.

The Holy Spirit is the one who propels us to action and she’s the one who makes a preacher out of all of us. Today’s reading from Isaiah reminds us that we are called to share the good news with the world. So often we think that preaching is a task reserved only for pastors and lay leaders. But it’s a task given to all believers. The Holy Spirit isn’t picky! She blows where she pleases and pushes all of us speak the words God puts on our hearts. And those words are the good news: the comfort, rest, and healing found in God.

You might not be called to speak in a pulpit, but we are all called to remind each other of the hope that is in God. The Holy Spirit compels us to! So when you feel that wind blowing, when you feel the Spirit pushing, open your sails and let her carry you where she will! I promise she will not lead you astray!

–Jim Vitale

Prayer

From the Breastplate of St Patrick

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.

Amen.