Scripture: Jonah
3:1-5, 10 • Psalm
62:5-12 • 1
Corinthians 7:29-31 • Mark
1:14-20
The gospel this week is about Jesus calling his disciples, particularly, Andrew, Peter, James and John, to become fishers of men. How is it that they dropped what they were doing, their livelihood, and family and way of life to follow Jesus?
Our authors this week look through the lens of the writer of the gospel of Mark, Paul's letter to the Corinthians, and even the Jonah's mission to the Assyrians, as well as the times in which they were written, to give us insight into why, and how, the disciples answered Jesus' call.
There is more to the term "evangelical," which comes from the Greek εὐαγγέλιον (euangélion), or "good news, although "good news" it is! See Dan Clendenin's "Evangelicals: When Labels are Libels." The urgency of getting the good news out, in God's time (καιρός - kairos) is viewed in the urgency of the time ( Χρόνος - chronos) Paul's letter and the gospel of Mark were written. The challenge is to see, believe, and act in God's time, with the love, forgiveness and compassion God showed the Ninevites in Jonah's story, and which is recognized in this week's Psalm. As this week's gospel begins, "The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God has come near, repent (turn around - renew your minds and thoughts and hearts), and believe in the good news. That's what grabbed the disciples, and that is what can grab you and me.
See also, Beth Scibienski's "Irresistible Grace," Sister Kim Harris' Commentary, Exposition, and Reflection (all separate short articles), and Fr. Rick Morley's "time fulfilled - a reflection on Mark 1:14-20."
Scripture: 1
Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20) • Psalm
139:1-6, 13-18 • 1
Corinthians 6:12-20 • John
1:43-51
The lessons this week are about knowing, recognizing the truth, and recognizing the presence of God in our lives. Samuel recognized God's presence and truth with Eli's help, overcame his own reservations, and told Eli God's truth, as hard as it was.
Beautiful Psalm 139 is a confession and hymn of gratitude to God who knows us all our days, knit us together in our mothers' wombs, and is still with us.
Jesus knew Nathaniel before Philip called him, as an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.
Professor Alyce M. Mackenzie helps us be aware of God's presence in our lives in "Recognizing Jesus: Reflections on John 1:43-51." The Rev. Kate Huey has a wonderful Reflection on the Scripture (especially the 139th Psalm), the dangers of self-proclaimed certitude, cautioning us not to use our own justification for judging others, and seeing the truth in God's beautiful reassurance that we are precious in his sight and magnificent examples of God's powers in creation. His presence in our lives is good news, indeed!
Scripture: Genesis
1:1-5 • Psalm
29 • Acts
19:1-7 • Mark
1:4-11
Every Epiphany we consider the baptism of Jesus. This year, in "The Politics of the Individual - Mark 1:4-11," Alastair Roberts gives us a good geo-political look at the time Jesus was baptized, and its significance then, and now.
In "The 'Great Wind' of God," Dan Clendenin provides a good exegesis of the term for "breath" or Spirit of God, considering one of the two creation stories in Genesis, the baptism of repentance by water by John the Baptist, and baptism of the "Spirit" which descended on Jesus, and later on a group of Ephesians baptized by Paul in the name of Jesus.
Scripture for the Gospel, Christmas 2B: John 1:(1-9), 10-18
Scripture for the Epiphany: Isaiah 60:1-6 • Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 • Ephesians 3:1-12 • Matthew 2:1-12
In reflecting on the Gospel of the first chapter of John for the second week of Christmas, Gary Carey notes when the light came into the world, there was darkness, but the darkness did not overcome it. He was in the world, but the people did not know him. He came to his own, but his people did not accept him. Hope comes in the midst of disappointment. In our times of deep disappointment, anxiety, division, and outrage, Carey, in "A World of Hope and Disappointment (John 1:1-18)" says there is a way to do something about the disappointment and outrage we sense and feel in our time.
Debra Dean Murphy, in "Nativity Politics," and Nancy Rockwell in "Strangers Bearing Gifts," discuss the gifts of the Magi, and their significance, traditionally, symbolically and practically. There is a light which has come into a world of hurt, disappointment and darkness that will not be extinguished, and which bears the gift of hope and life, even in death.
Scripture: Jeremiah 31:15-17; Psalm 124; Revelation 21:1-7; Matthew 2:13-23
This Sunday is the day the church remembers the Slaughter of the Holy Innocents on The Holy Innocent, martyrs Sunday. Much has been written about it. Albert Camus anguished about it in his book The Fall. We have just celebrated with "Joy to the World, the Lord is Come," and with angels heard on high singing "Gloria in excelsis Deo." Amidst new life, we are quickly reminded in Luke that the unimaginable horror of the slaughter of innocent children is part of the Christmas story, too, as Joseph flees to Egypt with Mary and the baby Jesus, being warned in a dream of Herod's treachery and power-lust.
We are also celebrating the baptism of our first grandchild this Sunday, and his uncle, an Episcopal priest, is coming in to minister the baptism. We are at the apex of joy. And yet, just as in the time of the Christ child, we know that innocent children, as well as their parents and other adults, are the victims of violence, terror, disease, illness, accidents, and abuse.
Like Camus, we ask how can this be? Where is God in all this? What does God have to say to Rachel weeping for her children? Tough questions, but not without hope. See the Rev. Pam Fickenscher's "Remembering Rachel: The Slaughter of the Innocents." In the midst of all the horror and tragedy, God sent his Son, whose name has an etymological root of "to deliver, to rescue - to save." As Paul says, "O death, where is your victory... where is your sting? We can say with Paul, "Death has been swallowed up in victory... thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" The message is not only for our great reunion with God in heaven, but to save us now in the midst of our grief, sorrow and pain. You may also want to read The Rev. Dr. James Lamkin's "The New Normal."
Scripture: 2
Samuel 7:1-11, 16 •Luke
1:46b-55 or Psalm
89:1-4, 19-26 • Romans
16:25-27 • Luke
1:26-38
This week's Scripture is replete with God coming to us through the willingness of a very young woman to say "yes" to God. No cop outs, excuses, or begging out of what God asked of her, but simply and beautifully, Mary says "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be
with me according to your word."
All three authors of articles this week reflect on what it means to say "Yes" to God. See "And It Was Sufficient" by Kyle Childress, “gutsyfaith, greater than the angels – a reflection on the Annunciation" by The Rev. Rick Morley, and Jenny Warner's "The God-Bearer: Advent Reflections on Mary."
What strikes me most is that God chooses the ordinary, the unpretentious, the seemingly powerless - in short, each of us, just as we are, to manifest himself to, and in, the world. And despite our shortcomings and "lowly estate," like the babe in the manger, and his very young mother, the Lord God deems it sufficient and enough to accomplish his will, and bring about his kingdom.
As we prepare for the Lord's coming, we are reminded that this time of year can be a sad and lonely time for many. A local Catholic church offers a blue mass service for those low in spirit, lonely, depressed, down and out. As we wait and prepare with expectant hope, this week we are invited to share in the joy of the Lord's coming - in the midst of our human condition - amidst times of turmoil, violence, illness, troubles and woes.
As Jesus began his mission, he unrolled the scroll and read from this week's passage in Isaiah. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to bring good news to the oppressed, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners." Isaiah wrote to those returning from the exile of captivity. Returning to the ruins of their homeland. In the midst of those ruins, with great joy the prophet and the Israelites returned, thankful and filled with the promise of restoration.
Psalm 126 shouts of that joy of restoration in every verse, and Luke's Song of Mary, the god bearer (Θεοτοκος) is full of joy as her "soul does magnify the Lord." Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians enjoined them to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ for us.
Consider the contrasts, and experience the hope and joy in Daniel Berrigan's, Advent Credo, Steve Goodier's "Surprised by Joy," and Melissa Bane Servier's "Joy?" When you have time, read C.S. Lewis' Surprised by Joy.
