The Feast of The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas)

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 84 ; Psalm 24:7-10; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40

This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, as Mary and Joseph take Jesus to Jerusalem to make a sacrifice of redemption to consecrate the first born. We see that they are too poor to sacrifice a lamb, and sacrifice two turtledoves instead. And we encounter Simeon who gives us his song, which we know as Nunc dimittis, and who, along with the prophetess Anna, recognizes the long awaited Messiah in this special child, whose name means "salvation," and who will redeem his people.

We have three wonderful articles which relate the prophesy in Malachi to the gospel account, and which tell us about the custom of the times, how this special feast came about, and its significance to the mission of Christ. It is also known as "The Presentation of Christ in the Temple," "Candlemas," and "The Encounter," in different traditions. See John W. Martens "The Presentation of the Lord," Martin Jackson's "The Presentation of Christ in the Temple," and Michael Marsh's "A Sermon for the Feast of the Presentation (Candlemas)."

Call to Discipleship - Will we answer it?

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-4  • Psalm 27:1, 4-9  • 1 Corinthians 1:10-18  • Matthew 4:12-23

The  gospel this week is Matthew's account of Jesus calling disciples to be fishers of men. As James and John respond to the call, in "What About Zebedee?" The Rev. Mark Ralls wonders why their father Zebedee did not follow Jesus. Why do some not respond to Jesus' call? 

How should we answer Jesus' call to discipleship? See The Rev. Ken Kesselus' "Fly fishing for Christ."  In a fitting lesson during Epiphany, drawing from Isaiah's reading this week, The Rev. Michael Fish tells us to "Walk in the Light." What does he mean? Can you think of examples in your own life experiences of the light shining through darkness? How can we walk in the light?

Do people see Jesus in us - in our church?

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-7  •  Psalm 40:1-11  •  1 Corinthians 1:1-9  •  John 1:29-42

Jesus told Andrew and "Come and see," when Andrew inquired about him. John the Baptist said "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," when he sees Jesus. Andrew told his brother Simon, whom Jesus called Cephas - Peter, "We have found the Messiah."

Will we recognize Jesus as we come across him on our journey? What will we find? See Sister Kym Harris' "This Sunday's Reflection." The Rev. Mark Ralls says that the way to truth, the truth about Jesus, and ourselves, is through personal encounters in "The other 'H" Word."

Finally, considering the difficulties Paul encountered with the church in Corinth, Daniel Clendenin discusses some of the faults and failures of the church in "A Loyal Member of a Dysfunctional Family - Why I Go to Church." Why do you go to church? Why do some quit going to church? How should we deal with the church's failures and faults?

Do people see Jesus in us - in our church?

Why was Jesus baptized?

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-9  •  Psalm 29  •  Acts 10:34-43  •  Matthew 3:13-17

Every Epiphany we re-visit the story of Jesus' baptism. This Lectionary Year A, we consider Matthew's account. Like John the Baptist, we ask why, if Jesus is God's son, the Messiah, the Christ, does he need to be baptized? John even exclaims, "It is you who should baptize me!" Why should he who is without sin, be baptized for the forgiveness of sin?

Read Daniel Clendenin's "A Shocking Request and a Stupendous Claim: The Baptism of Jesus;" The Rev. Rick Morley's "Epiphany One Reflection: Bathrobes and Sandals;" "This Sunday's Reflection" by Sister Kym Harris; and, "Baptism of our Lord" by The Rev. Ben E. Helmer.

Why do you think Jesus was baptized? Why do we choose baptism? The Rite of Holy Baptism can be found on pages 297-308 of the Book of Common Prayer. What is our Baptismal Covenant (pp. 304-305 of The Book of Common Prayer)? What happens when we are baptized? What does it mean for us, and our relationship with God, humanity and all God's creation?

God pitches a tent... and is with us always

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:7-14 or Sirach 24:1-12  •  Psalm 147:12-20 or Wisdom of Solomon 10:15-21  •  Ephesians 1:3-14  •  John 1:(1-9), 10-18

This second week of Christmas, we read another account of the Christ coming into our world. This time it is not as a babe in a manger with shepherds and wise men. In the first chapter of the gospel of John, we are presented with a cosmic account being with God from the very beginning. He is the Word made flesh. God tabernacled in the flesh in Jesus, and chose to live with us, and within us.

Moses was not allowed to see God. He hid in the cleft of a rock while God passed. God was not in the fire, the wind, or the quake of the earth. He was to be found in the sound of sheer silence, or as Father Paul Bresnahan would tell us, in the "daughter of a sound." Jesus told his disciples that "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." And he told us he is always with us. What is it to see a "Permanent Glimpse of God," as The Rev. Dr. Thomas Lane Butts tells us?

The Rev. Dr. Janet H. Hunt tells us that the Fourth Gospel, the Gospel of John, tells us that in the life of Jesus, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The English word “to dwell” is derived from a Greek word that literally means to “pitch a tent.” Though not particularly poetic, the Gospel of John actually reads, “The Word became flesh and pitched a tent among us.” What does pitching a tent among us, tabernacling with us mean? Consider The Rev. Dr. Hunt's "And pitched a tent among us..." and add your thoughts.