May the compassionate heart of God

fill that soulful place deep within,

moving us to see the broken and afflicted

in the ruins of their shattered dreams.

May we gaze upon those held in captivity by addiction,

materialism, or their own insatiable quest for power—

with the perceptive eyes of Jesus

and his liberating embrace.

May our proclamation of the Lord’s favor

be seen in our sacrificial deeds for others,

our collective resistance against self-indulgence,

and our questioning of all that oppresses.

May we comfort all who mourn,

even as we mourn what must die within us,

bringing the oil of gladness

upon the unfolding of our truest selves.

For the sake of the world,

for the sake of our children,

and their children.

Amen.

—Scott Jenkins, MHM Staff Chaplain

This blessing was inspired by Isaiah 61, which was also the text of Jesus’s first recorded sermon.

* Scott Jenkins and other staff share perspectives and practices of our work in the beautifully illustrated book Beyond Our Efforts: A Celebration of Denver Peacemaking (this piece on p. 145). Come by MHM for a FREE copy (encouraged!), or you may purchase from Amazon.