The ideals we are called to embody as Christians is clear enough. Because we are not given any specifics as to the precise mechanisms for this care, we must carefully evaluate those plans, suggestions, and attempts at reform-and those opposing any change in the system-against the criteria of our ideals, mandated by God and related to us through scripture: does the plan aid those in need? Are the widow and orphan, the single mother, the disabled steel worker, lifted up by this clause or that? Finally, we must ourselves demand a full accounting of truth, both from those who inflate the claims of what this plan will do for all of us, and from the scoundrels distributing lies and deceit about the plan solely for their own benefit. We must insist on the truth, and on a fair and level-headed debate. Indeed, we must ourselves question how we might best follow in the footsteps of our Lord, who, in Luke 4:18-19, cited Isaiah 61:1-4 in part:

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 brokenhearted,
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.

Some further reading:
   www.piercelaw.edu/assets/.../pierce-law-review-vol07-no2-smith.pdf
   www.sojo.net/action/alerts/health_care_toolkit.pdf

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Contributed by Jeremy
Sunday September 27, 2009
Liturgical Year B Week 44
Sunday Gospel Readings:
Lectionary 26 (Proper 21)
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost