Advent Upside-down - Silver Spring UMC€¦ · setting at liberty those who are oppressed…healing...

Upside-down Advent

2015 A D V E N T D E V O T I O N A L

THIS DEVOTIONAL CAN BE FOUND — AND SHARED — ONLINE AT

S I LV E R S P R I N G U M C . O R G

ADVENT DEVOTIONAL 2015 | S I LVER S P R ING U MC.ORG | 2

We are a movement of

Christ’s love, feeding all

of God’s people —

body, mind and spirit

— so no one goes hungry.

ADVENT DEVOTIONAL 2015 | S I LVER S P R ING UMC.ORG | 3

Luke 1:46-55 MARY’S SONG

46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his

name.

50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to

generation.

51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered

those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted

up the humble.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich

away empty.

54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful

55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised

our ancestors.”


IntroductionAs we enter this season of Advent, we are looking forward to the

traditions that mean Christmas is coming—baking, mailing cards

and gifts, singing Christmas songs. Sometimes Christmas feels so

expected, we forget that it’s really about God turning the world—

and us—completely upside-down.

When Mary first learns from the angel Gabriel that she will

give birth to the Messiah, her response is, “How can this be?”

But when she goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth (who is also

expecting a child, John the Baptizer, the one who will make a

way for the Messiah), she is moved to sing God’s praises for these

miracles with a song we have come to know as “The Magnificat”

(Latin, meaning “My soul magnifies”):

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my

Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his

servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his

name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to

generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered

the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down

the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he

has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away

empty.” (Luke 1:46-53)

Mary can see that God’s way of coming into the world, of

bringing hope, redemption, new life is about to turn everything

on its head. Those who have been high and mighty will be

brought low and the hungry will be filled; the proud are

scattered, the rich are sent away empty. This is just a foretaste

of Jesus’ own ministry: preaching good news to the poor,

proclaiming release to the captives, restoring sight to the blind,


setting at liberty those who are oppressed…healing the sick,

feeding the hungry, and eating with sinners. (UM Liturgy for Holy

Communion, UMH p.9)

What we should really be expecting, hoping and preparing for

this Advent is for God to do something completely unexpected.

To enter into our lives and world in a way that we may not

anticipate, to open us up, fill us with joy and transform us in ways

that we could never have imagined.

This little devotional is filled with stories and reflections from

people in our own church who have experienced God’s presence,

grace and redemption in surprising ways—A cancer diagnosis.

Serving others, and finding that you are the one who has been

blessed. In a yoga practice. And the last page of this booklet is

intentionally left blank, so that you might write your own story of

how God has turned things upside down for you in this season of

miracles.

Advent Blessings,

Rev. Rachel

( C O N T I N U E D )


NOVEMBER 29th — 1st week of Advent ............................................................ 7

“What You Leave with Others,” by Amber Palmer-Halma .......................... 8

“Every. Single. One.” by Stephen Willson ........................................................... 9

“The Still, Small Voice of Calm,” by Lillian Scott ............................................ 10

DECEMBER 6th — 2nd week of Advent ............................................................ 11

“For He Has Looked with Favor,” by Ann McCulloch ................................... 12

“Cancer’s Unexpected Blessings,” by Lori Crowe .......................................... 13

DECEMBER 13th — 3rd week of Advent .......................................................... 15

“Standing on My Head,” by Sarah Park .............................................................. 16

“Blessing, or Being Blessed?” by Ivonne Lindley ........................................... 17

“Do You Hear What I Hear?” by Wendy Hudgins .......................................... 18

DECEMBER 20th — 4th week of Advent .......................................................... 19

“God-tropism,” Katherin Brown .......................................................................... 20

“Joyful Mysteries,” Joy Gerdy Zogby .................................................................. 21

A Place for Your Own Reflections ....................................................................... 23

Contents


1st Week of Advent

N O V E M B E R 2 9 t h

Luke 21:25-26 25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations

will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.

26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the

world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.


What You Leave with Others

B y A m b e r P a l m e r - H a l m a

“Leave a wake of blessed people” is a life goal I adopted from the book

Finding a Date Worth Keeping. When I was reading the book as part of

dating group I realized I went on dates with an attitude of “this date won’t

be any good but I’m sure I’ll get some funny story out of it that I can tell at

parties.” I ended up spending my date nights looking for the funny story

to be fodder for my party chit chat.

The men in our dating group helped me see that my witty party stories

were huge turn-offs to any guy who was thinking of asking me out. No one

wanted to become my next punchline.

The book encouraged me to consider every date an opportunity to leave

the other person glad they met me — whether or not a follow-up date

occurred. To, like a boat, have a wake behind me of people who felt

blessed that they’d had time with me (not from a high and mighty place,

but from a place of genuine joy and grace).

Embracing this goal changed my dates for the better. Suddenly, instead

of being focused on my experience, I paid attention to my dates’

experiences. And I could see my dates through a lens of grace instead of

judgement. I started asking better questions. I started really listening to

my dates’ answers. Eventually, I met my favorite date and we got married.

Now, I try to “leave a wake of blessed people” in all of my relationships. It’s

amazingly effective everywhere.

It’s countercultural in most D.C. offices to be leaving a wake of blessed

people instead of stepping on others to get ahead. It positively changes

team dynamics to be the colleague who offers support, assistance and

praise instead of competition.

In friendships, work relationships and in my community, I see the power of

leaving this wake of blessed people.


Every. Single. One.

B y S t e p h e n W i l l s o n

You can’t measure the length of humanity’s scars in numbers and names.

Every life taken down, regardless, has value — whether one, one hundred

or one thousand. All take part in the body that is humanity; their absence

an equally immeasurable impact.

A void is left who’s depth we cannot comprehend when an individual’s

absence suddenly and unexpectedly defines their impact. How many

lose a chance at forgiveness or amends? How many discoveries lost or

inspirations crushed? How many loves missed or laughs silenced?

As the stories flow of families broken and students or teachers or lawyers

with lives cut short, remember that many-fold more sons and daughters

are lost every day who’s name or face or language you may never know;

you may never understand; you may even fear. We are all sons and

daughters. All equal parts, all equal possibilities, all equal losses.

We need to care as much about yesterday, today; and as much about

today, tomorrow. We need to care about every single life cut short over

fear, over hatred over race, over religion.

We need to care. We need to do more.

We need to treat every single son or daughter, every single neighbor with

the same reverence and come together with those who can still respect

our commonality regardless of our differences.

We cannot expect this from everyone; but we cannot use everyone’s

actions as an excuse to turn away from one’s expectations of self.


The Still, Small Voice of Calm

B y L i l l i a n S c o t t

About ten years ago, I would drive to Baltimore on Saturdays to help my

sisters who were providing care for our mother who was homebound.

On one particular late Saturday evening, I was driving back to Silver

Spring via my regular route, I-70 to 29/S. That night, traffic was unusually

light. Further down the road, a familiar sign indicated that my exit was two

miles away. As I continued to drive, the road became pitch dark, mine was

the only car on the road and my surroundings did not look familiar.

I had missed the exit. I did not know where I was, so a cell phone would

not have been of any benefit to me. And my car did not have a GPS. So

I accessed the only help I knew was readily available: as I continued to

drive down this unknown road, I unceasingly prayed to God to guide

me back to my usual route home. After driving what thought was a long

way down the road, I came to a junction. The road sign indicated that I

was at Marriottsville Road; however there were no signs to guide me to

the direction I needed to get back to 29/S. Several times, while in the

Randallstown area, I had been on that road. Knowing that a right turn

would take me in a northerly direction, I turned left. After going a short

distance, I was overjoyed to see a sign directing me to 29/S.

A sense of calm set in and I knew that God had heard my prayers and I

was on the road home.

As I reflect on my experience, I am reminded of Elijah’s experience in

1 Kings 19:11-12. Elijah was fleeing from harm and seeking God. He did not

find God in the wind, in the earthquake or in the fire but in the sound of

sheer silence. I suppose I was expecting to hear the mighty voice of God

answering my prayers. Instead, I was guided by His still, small voice of

calm.

It is a blessing and comfort to that God always hears our prayers and

continually speaks to us. Listen in the silence. You will hear God’s voice.


2nd Week of Advent

D E C E M B E R 6 t h

Luke 3:1–6 JOHN THE BAPTIST PREPARES THE WAY

1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius

Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother

Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene—

2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God

came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the

country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the

forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah

the prophet:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.

5 Every valley shall be filled in,

every mountain and hill made low.

The crooked roads shall become straight,

the rough ways smooth.

6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’”


For He Has Looked with Favor

B y A n n M c C u l l o c h

It probably isn’t too surprising that, as I was raised Catholic, Mary has

been a source of inspiration. Her acceptance of God’s will, her persistent

faith despite unbelievable circumstance, renders me awestruck, perhaps

because my own faith falls short. I’m reluctant to trust in that whole and

complete way, though I’m working on it.

Maybe it is because I fear the upside-down, even though we live in a very

upside-down world. There is little escape from terrorism, racism, classism,

discrimination, poverty, hunger, division, violence, and disease. Concerns

about jobs, relationships, health, children, friends and loved ones affect

all of us on some level at some time. Amid this turmoil, where do we find

place and peace? If faith is bigger than fear, why is it hard sometimes to

let my worries go?

There is one thing I certainly believe — that God has looked on me with

favor, in spite of my doubts, questions, and shortcomings. I feel a presence

in the morning light that filters through near-empty trees; in quiet

reflections on a sermon or song, in the grasp of Maggie’s still small hand

or the sight of Will’s confident smile. I try everyday to trust in and act from

this presence, which I believe is God’s love. Faith may ebb, but love freely

flows, fueling my faith and hope.

Advent and the Christmas season remind me that God so loved the world,

He sent his Son, born to Mary, meek and mild, fulfilling a promise made

generation upon generation ago, a promise born from a love greater than

my comprehension. When I feel fear winning, it is to this love I return. The

upside-down brings uncertainty and doubt, but it also can bring courage,

growth and transformation. I see this so clearly in the work of the Silver

Spring United Methodist Church, here, and am so happy to be a member

of this dynamic faith community. In this place, I find peace.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.


Cancer’s Unexpected Blessings

B y L o r i C r o w e

When I think of God turning things in our world upside down, there is

certainly no shortage of examples — a massacre in a Charleston church,

terrorist attacks around the world, helpless children without food and

shelter, public role models who sexually abuse children. These are certainly

“upside-down” occurrences we struggle to make sense of as Christians.

But while these events trouble my soul I, at the same time, often feel a bit

distant from them.

I’d like to share a more personal story of how God turned my own world

upside down in order to bring about new life:

I had started college in Atlanta because my best friend lived there.

Through her, I met a vast network of friends, but two in particular — Kevin

and Michelle — became very close to me. We were 18 and they had just

started dating. After I transferred to school in another state, I lost touch

and only saw them when I visited town (and this was the early 1990s, so

there were no cell phones or social connections like Facebook).

When I moved back to Atlanta after graduation, I reconnected with them,

but also found new friends through work and social activities. Several of

my “former” friends had gotten married, including Michelle and Kevin.

They were in a different place and, over the next few years, our paths only

crossed occasionally, and then seldom at all.

Looking back, I believe they would have drifted right out of my life entirely

had it not been a phone call I received stating that Michelle was in the

hospital for unexplained bleeding. She was 27. I dropped everything,

including my fear of hospitals at the time, and rushed to be with them

other friends to see how we could help. Within hours, there was a

diagnosis of cervical cancer with an emergency hysterectomy scheduled

within days.

When I was in my 20s, I was somewhat aware that children had cancer,

but I mostly associated it with being an “older” adult disease.



For a young woman who always wanted children, this was devastating

news. The days beyond were a blur. Being so young, I didn’t have any

experience with illness. But what I did know was that during times of

crisis, people need two things: First, they need to be with other people, so

I stayed. Second, they need to keep their strength up, so I fed.

I often insisted that Kevin take a break and eat some food. I distinctly

remember sitting in the McDonald’s inside the hospital trying to find

the right words to ease Kevin’s pain and to help make sense of this life-

altering news. I have no idea what I said that day, but whatever it was,

it came from my heart, from God, and it seemed to help. Our group of

friends rallied around Michelle and Kevin through the surgery, through the

chemo and subsequent sickness and hair loss, through recovery and the

grief of lost motherhood, and all the fear that accompanied each step.

We emerged on the other side of this terrible event stronger in our

friendships — and our faith.

To this day, Kevin and Michelle remain two of my closest friends. We have

helped each other through many of life’s twists and turns, and I cannot

imagine my life without them. But the truth is, I almost lost them.

Thanks to God’s mysterious “upside-down” ways, those valuable

friendships were saved — and brought to new life — through cancer.


3rd Week of Advent

D E C E M B E R 1 3 t h

Luke 3:7–18 7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood

of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce

fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves,

‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones

God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root

of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut

down and thrown into the fire.”

10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.

11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one

who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what

should we do?”

13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.

14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”

He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely —

be content with your pay.”

15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their

hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them

all, “I baptize you with[a] water. But one who is more powerful than I

will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will

baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in

his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his

barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with

many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good

news to them.


Standing on My Head

B y S a r a h P a r k

I frequently, and intentionally, stand on my head. It is a part of my yoga

practice.

Things certainly look different from that perspective. For one thing,

you really notice the crumbs underneath the table which may have

gone unseen. And, it feels dramatically different when you turn

what is supposed to be the up-side, down. All of the sudden there is

an unsteadiness in place of that which is so familiar, so known and

comfortable. There is work required to maintain the alignment that would

be second nature if only you were right-side up. Plus, there is a whole lot

of fear! At any moment you feel as though you may come crashing down

in a heap. The posture of upside down-ness requires a conscious and

continual coming back to center in order to be held in such new territory.

In my mind this isn’t unlike the story of Mary or the many, many times in

my life when things have been turned up-side down. That which feels so

unfamiliar, so full of uncertainty and difficulty actually draws me closer to

God — and I am held.

Wherever you are at this moment — right-side up or up-side down —

close your eyes, remember God’s promise. And let your spirit rejoice!


Blessing, or Being Blessed?

B y I v o n n e L i n d l e y

My parents had the good sense to raise me to speak both Spanish and

English. As a result, I now have many opportunities to use my bilingual

abilities. I speak to my clients in Spanish every day as an attorney, and

sometimes I use my Spanish volunteering in the Latino community.

Reverend Rachel recently called upon me (and my bilingual abilities) to

volunteer as a translator at a local elementary school in a large Latino

community. The Principal needed translators to assist teachers meeting

with Spanish speaking parents during the first quarter parent/teacher

conferences. So, I signed up, and arrived at the school ready to help

others. But after a few hours there, I was the one who left feeling blessed.

Over several hours, I had the opportunity to be the person who delivered

the news to parents that their child was doing well, was working hard, and

was having a great experience in school. I got the privilege of seeing up

close and personal the look of true joy and pride on the parent’s face upon

learning that their child — who never got to go to preschool, or who lives

in a home where no one speaks English, or who didn’t know the alphabet

before September — now knew 20 out of 30 sight words, could easily

recite their ABCs, was “proficient” in several skills, was engaged in class,

or was enjoying learning each day.

After starting the night feeling like I was there for “yet another thing I

signed up to do,” I left there feeling overwhelmed with emotion — feeling

blessed by the chance to spend a few hours with those teachers and

parents — reminded of the importance of effort, gratitude, humility.

We serve God when serve others and I can’t wait to volunteer again.


Do You Hear What I Hear?

B y W e n d y H u d g i n s

Living on my own, I’ve been blessed with the sweetest little four-legged

companion of a muse, my little yorkie, “Copper.” He’s been with me

through moves, through sadnesses, through great joys, and even to France.

He recently had an minor ear infection and I could tell his hearing was off a

bit. I could literally be right behind him without him knowing, and in a panic

(when he was not sure where I was, or if I heard him) he’d bark with an

unecessary fear in his voice. I’d lean down to comfort him, then address the

matter — usually outside or food, or sometimes just, “hey, play with me.”

It’s a vivid illustration to me of times in my own life where I have felt

discombobulated, or uncertain — like the rug’s been pulled out. It’s easy to

panic. Or feel left behind. Does God hear me? HOW will it work out? WILL

it work out? How to even take one step forward? And yet, God is with us,

and has been, all along. I love the saying, “you can have fear or faith, you

can’t have both.” Even when your life feels upside down, God is at work.

When I’ve lost someone in my life from a move or transition, I remind

myself that God laid the path for that wonderful person to even be there

in the first place. He will certainly lay other paths, too. I pray.

When I’ve been blessed with work, a place to use my gifts, then that later

changes or shifts, I am aware of the grace that is provided, always. I pray.

Even working on this very devotional. At first, when no one responded, I

didn’t think we’d have a booklet. Then, suddenly, an influx of your personal

and touching stories filled this book. Gratitude to each of you for sharing.

God is at work. Always. In both the bright sunlight and the darkest days of

our own lives. And even in all of the uncertainty in this seemingly upside

down world we live in. Même pas peur. He’s closer than we know. God is

at work. We just need to have faith, trust, and follow him. And pray.

Do you hear what I hear? It’s not fear. God is with us. Always.


4th Week of Advent

D E C E M B E R 2 0 t h

Luke 1:39–45 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of

Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.

41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb,

and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she

exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you

will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should

come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears,

the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed

that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”


God-tropism

B y K a t h e r i n e B r o w n

You can’t plant a bulb upside-down. That is, you can, but even a mis-

planted bulb will grow right side up. ‘Tropism’ scientists call it, ‘turning’:

gravity draws the geotropic roots down while the stems turn away, and up.

‘Upside-down Advent.’

The first thing that comes to mind is not God but life inverting my life.

Standing barefoot on a cold floor in a night-dark room with the telephone

receiver in my hand and no clear recollection of the shrill ring that

hauled me bodily out of bed. The voice on the other end is buzzy and

incomprehensible. Turned upside-down.

A happier inversion: the joyous topsy-turvy of our newborn — perfect

as a rosebud — placed in my arms and entirely reorienting my life just by

virtue of her being. Her birth a sudden thunderclap of amazing love. But

even that which felt at the time so sudden an inversion, was really the

culmination of nine months slow growing. And as vast a reorientation as it

was, it was not itself an end, self-contained and complete, but a lightning

moment that made newly visible the continual turning and turning again

that is life ongoing.

Even in the dark night. Pulled from my planting and plunged upside down

and deep away. There and then, too, there is a subtle turning, a tug that

persists through times that I am too blind to see it or too dull to respond.

It comes in sudden flashes and small glows. Walking in a windy day,

lighting a candle as night draws in, hearing a right word at an acceptable

time, seeing a potted paperwhite bloom in cold midwinter. Moments that

light the world lovely and make visible the ongoing, inexorable turning of

God’s faithfulness on my frailty.

Life turns me upside down. God draws me on and through; God turns me

again around. God-tropism: turning and growing toward the kingdom.


Joyful Mysteries

B y J o y G e r d y Z o g b y

A few years ago during Lent, I learned to pray the Rosary, and I found it

so wonderful that I continue to pray the Rosary occasionally today. Part of

what I love about praying the Rosary is that it forces me to slow down and

reflect for just a few moments. This quiet time is precious and a powerful

form of Christian meditation that is important all year long, but especially

in a busy time like Advent.

Initially, I was intimidated by the steps I had to learn to pray the Rosary.

There were so many beads, so many prayers and creeds to say in a

particular order. In addition to learning the words associated with each

bead, one must also reflect on certain mysteries while praying certain

beads each day of the week. For example, twice a week, while praying

the Rosary, I (and millions of others) reflected on the Joyful Mysteries.

The Joyful Mysteries include two beautiful moments I think about during

Advent: the Annunciation (when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary) and

the Visitation (when Mary visited Elizabeth).

Once I got the hang of the process of praying the Rosary, I was able to

let my mind focus on some of the mysteries. When I reflected on the

Annunciation and the Visitation, I naturally put myself in Mary’s shoes

in the moment she found out she was pregnant with the Son of God. I

thought about how frightened she must have been. I know I was terrified

when I was pregnant, and I was armed with an entire library of pregnancy

books. The fear Mary must have felt at the Annunciation must have been

debilitating.

At first Mary was “greatly troubled” (Luke 1:29), but Mary kept her faith.

Mary believed in and hoped for God’s better world in which someone

of her “low estate” (Luke 1:48) would go on to be the Mother of God,

in which God “exalted those of low degree” and “filled the hungry with

good things” (Luke 1:52-53). This hope of turning the world upside-down

likely helped her through the pregnancy in moments of doubt, which



undoubtedly bothered her occasionally. According to the Qur’an 19:23,

during the pains of childbirth, Mary cried out, “Ah! would that I had died

before this! would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight!”

Even right before she gave birth, Mary was saying she did not want to be

around to see the better world she had believed would be possible.

Ever since I learned to pray the Rosary, I began thinking more and more

about Mary at Advent. This year, when I think about Mary and the upside-

down world she believed in, I cannot help but think about refugees fleeing

their homes in desperation because they believe there must be a better

world somewhere else. I imagine at some point during the voyage from

home some refugees might cry out, “Ah! would that I had died before

this!” I can only imagine that one of the few things keeping some people

going is the hope and faith in an upside-down world where God fills

the hungry with good things. This Advent, when I pray the Rosary, I will

not simply reflect on what Mary went through; I will also reflect on the

challenges faced by so many in our world today and how I can help bring

God’s heavenly upside-down world to Earth.


Reflections

THIS DEVOTIONAL CAN BE FOUND — AND SHARED — ONLINE AT

S I LV E R S P R I N G U M C . O R G

Advent Upside-down - Silver Spring UMC€¦ · setting at liberty those who are oppressed…healing...

Documents

Transcript of Advent Upside-down - Silver Spring UMC€¦ · setting at liberty those who are oppressed…healing...