"What are we to do with this Jesus?"

Scripture: Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-12, 21c; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39

This Epiphany season we have been challenged to discern that "AHA!" experience when the extraordinary manifests itself in the ordinary, as God comes near. We have seen fishermen immediately drop their nets and leave their occupations - life as they knew it -  and follow Jesus, stepping out in faith to discover how to become fishers of people. We have discussed what made them take this drastic step.  What was it about Jesus which draws us to him, to lose ourselves in him, and his mission?

Last week we discussed his authority - εξουσια -  "freeing power," as he cast out demons, unclean spirits, and began his healing ministry. What makes us seek him? What is it we long for?

In his homily, The Rev. James Liggett tells us that the people of Capernaum recognized a good thing when they saw it. You know, have him set up shop in their town, "establish the Jesus of Nazareth Preaching and Healing Mission," give him top billing, a good benefit package, nice pension and time off - you get the picture. But what does Jesus do? Why does he leave? Where does he go? Liggett then turns the tables and asks us "What are we to do with this Jesus?" What does Jesus do to Simon's mother-in-law? What does Simon's mother-in-law do?

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, tells us we are to rise up from Jesus' healing touch, and become his hands in healing, feeding, offering hope where there is no hope, becoming a companion to the lonely, and a comfort to those who suffer loss, lifting them up, as we are lifted up - raised to wholeness in that liberating journey home in her "Join Hands, Reach Out, and Lift up."

Casting Out Demons with Authority

Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28

This Epiphany season we are discussing "God come near" in otherwise ordinary elements, people and at times and on occasions unexpected. Our time becomes God's time. Learning to listen, and being open to receive God's call are some of the lessons we have learned.

 

We left off last week discussing what was it that Jesus said or did for Peter, Andrew, James and John, ordinary fishermen, to immediately drop their nets and leave their families to follow Jesus? How and when can we experience what they did when heaven and earth meet?

 

This week we listen in as Jesus speaks before a crowd eager to hear him in a synagogue in Capernaum. They are astounded at the authority with which he spoke and acted.  How does the author of Mark's gospel relate the authority of Jesus? Who is it that recognizes him as "the Holy one of God?" Again we are told the people are amazed. Again we are told of his authority. What is the authority and power of Jesus? How is it manifest to us? What does "Jesus of Nazareth have to do with us?" What do we have to do with Jesus? What is your "aha!" moment?

 

How was the power and authority of Jesus made manifest in John E. Sumwalt and Jo Perry-Sumwalt story "Casting Out Demons?" What are the demons we have to be cast out? Are we immune from being possessed by demons? How are they cast out? What does Kate Huey, in her "Reflection," tell us about the authority of Jesus?

 

 

The Call to Live Extraordinarily - Time Fulfilled

Scripture: (RCL) Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62: 6-14; 1 Corinthians 7: 29-31; Mark 1:14-20

This Epiphany season we have discussed the enlightenment from the unexpected, God at work in common elements - of water, of bread and wine. Seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary, being open and receptive to "heaven come near."

 

The gospel of Mark urges us to listen,. There is something new and exciting happening, and we don't want to miss it. In this week's gospel account, we are presented with the calling of Simon, Andrew and the "sons of thunder," James and John - who will be made fishers of men. What is extraordinary about the call of these ordinary men? How is God working here? How did God work through Jonah in Nineveh? Read Dianne Bergant's "The Fish Story That Tops All!"

 

Bergant and The Rev. Rick Morley, in "Time Fulfilled," capture the urgency of the author of Mark's gospel in their discussion of "time," distinguishing χρονοσ (chronos), ordinary time, such as chronological age, and καιροσ (kairos) - extraordinary time - God's time - God's kingdom come near. We call for this every time we say the Lord's prayer ... "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

 

The Rev. Ben Helmer ties together three themes from this weeks lesson in his Lectio Divina. This week we learn about the epiphany of the "call," of Christ as Jesus tells us "the kingdom of God is at hand," and that we are to answer the call by proclaiming the good news of God's saving love and forgiveness. What is the Benedictine Lectio Divina? What is the call of Christ? How are we to proclaim the good news of God's salvific love?

 

 

Meeting the Extraordinary in the Ordinary - Epiphany 2

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20); Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51

Last week we had an interesting discussion of "what is an epiphany," and why is The Baptism of the Lord an appointed reading during Epiphany.

 

This week, the second Sunday in Epiphany, or "Ordinary time," we read about three encounters of what Dianne Bergant calls the "extraordinary, " in seemingly ordinary circumstances in her "Did You Call? In God's calling to Samuel, Paul's claim that ordinary people are members of the body of Christ, and our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, to the first and then last response of Nathanael to Philip's invitation to see  the one the law of Moses and the prophets talked about - in John's Gospel, we are invited to simply "Come and see" for ourselves. How will we respond?

 

Will we experience a "Surprise Encounter," like the ones Professor Christine Pohl describes. Will we glimpse "heaven come near" in our ordinary encounters and experiences this year?

 

Where will "Heaven and Earth Meet," in the words of The Rev. Dr. Sharon Taylor? 

 

Not if, but how and when will we see Christ revealed this year? Who does Jesus say will see God?

 

The Epiphany of the Baptism of Christ

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5; Psalm 29; Acts 19:1-7: Mark1:4-11 

This week, in Lectionary Year B, we study Mar's account of the Baptism of our Lord on the first Sunday of the Epiphany. The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan is considered in the context of the creation account in the first chapter of Genesis. Psalm 29 magnificently evokes the power of the voice of the Lord, who is over the mighty waters, and all creation. The power of water and the spirit is brought to bear in our lives in these passages. What incidents can you recall in the Bible in which water is a major force, or plays a major role? How is water used in these accounts?

 

Why do you think the Lectionary places the baptism of Jesus reading on the first Sunday of Epiphany?  What is an epiphany? Can you think of examples? Have you ever had an epiphany?

 

In "Holy Collision," The Rev. Sharron Blezard says this is no "play it safe" Sunday. What does she mean by that?

 

In "In the Hole He Goes," The Rev. Timothy Boggess asks, "Now what?" after the great season of expectation and joy of Advent, the birth of Christ, the enduring faith of Simeon and Anna living to see and recognize the Messiah in the mystery of a child, and the homage paid by the Magi. What is the answer he finds in Mark's gospel account of the baptism of Jesus?

 

Finally, John R. Donahue, SJ, sets it all in context - liturgically, theologically, eschatologically, prophetically, and most importantly, grounds us in mission in his "Heavenly Voice, Earthly Mission."

 

What can we take with us from this lesson as we begin this new year?