Holy Week · Holy Thursday: Chrism Mass · Year C
Isaiah 61:1-3ab, 6a, 8b-9
The Year of the Lord’s Favor
April 13, 2028
Overview & Insights
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.” (Isaiah 61:1)
Chapters 61 and 62 recapitulate much of chapter 60, but they do so in a new framework. They offer five responses to those promises. Whereas the prophet’s word was a brisk preliminary to Yahweh’s word in 59:21–60:22, in chapters 61–62 the prophet speaks a number of times in a way that has significance in its own right but also introduces recapitulations of the promises.
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Commentary
Commentary on Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary commentary on the anointed herald of good news, the RCL Advent 3B reading covering this text.
Isaiah 61 Commentary: Out of the Mouth of the Messiah Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse reading of the Servant's Spirit-anointed mission.
Isaiah 61 Commentary Precept Austin
Extensive gathered notes and word studies on Isaiah 61.
Isaiah 61:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregated classic commentaries on the Spirit of the Lord GOD anointing the prophet.
Holy Thursday Chrism Mass (Cycles ABC) Agape Bible Study
Catholic exegesis of the first reading and its link to priestly anointing at the Chrism Mass.
Background & Word Study
Isaiah 61 | Sefaria Library Sefaria
Hebrew text of Isaiah 61 with classical Jewish commentary and translation.
Isaiah 61:1 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew word-by-word study of the anointing and mission language.
Book of Isaiah Summary (Overview Video) BibleProject
Animated overview placing chapter 61 within Isaiah's vision of restoration.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Why does Isaiah 61 belong to Advent?
It is the anointed servant's mandate, good news to the poor, liberty to captives, the year of the Lord's favor, the very words Jesus reads of himself in the synagogue at Nazareth.
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