Authority, Rules, Principles and Freedom

Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:15-20  • Psalm 111  • 1 Corinthians 8:1-13  • Mark 1:21-28
 Paul's first letter to the Christians in Corinth instructs them on why they should not eat the meat offered to idols. His reason is nuanced, offering insight into the responsible exercise of Christian freedom, considering rules, rights, responsibilities, principles, and people.  See The Rev. Machrina Blasdell's "What's the Question."

Remember our discussion of the authority and power exercised by Jesus, ἐξουσία,  authority associated with freedom instead of domination. An authority which when exercised and recognizes us frees us from powers which bind us, to do God's will, to love with God's love, to serve rather than be served. That is the authority recognized in Jesus' exorcism of the man from Capernaum  possessed of an unclean Spirit. Can you think of teachings and practices of Jesus concerning eating, food, and banquets? How does that relate to Paul's instructions to the Christians of Corinth concerning eating the food offered to idols? Think about how Jesus used his authority. How should we, as the body of Christ, act in Jesus' name? Read what Sister Kym Harris says about the authority of Jesus in her .

In "Astounded," Debie Thomas wants us to be open to be astonished at the healing freedom Jesus offers as he speaks with authority so that even unclean spirits submit to him. What has he do do with us? Everything.

 

Why did the disciples answer Jesus' Call?

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."

O Lord, You have searched me and known me...

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 Nathanael 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. Debie Thomas, in "Come and See," says that Nathanael, a skeptic, experienced an epiphany in recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, and Light of the World. More importantly, is what Jesus sees in Nathanael - in you and me.

Baptism of the Spirit

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.

The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us

Scripture:
Isaiah 61:10-62:3  • 
Psalm 148  • 
Galatians 4:4-7  •
John 1:1-14


It is appropriate, as we begin a new year, that John's gospel is our text this week, opening with "In the beginning was the Word," λόγος , logos, in Greek. This week we learn more about the nature of The Word made flesh, who lives - not just lives- among us, but who tabernacles with us, full of grace and truth, the meaning of grace and truth. And the gift, as well as the giver, and what that means for us. See The Rev. Edward Marquart's "The Word Became Flesh."


Just how much do we mean to God, and each other? Especially in these times. What can we rely on so we do not lose our way? See The Rev. Whitney Rice's "In the beginning..." She concludes  with "This is why scripture matters so much. Because when real life comes crashing in, when the divorce papers are served, when the job loss happens, when the cancer or Alzheimer’s diagnosis comes through, we have to have somewhere to anchor our souls. And we do, in a few simple words a man named John wrote a very long time ago. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” The hard knocks of life plus the poetry of scripture give us the chance to build our lives so that we become a word of poetry ourselves, one little phrase expressed by the great Word that is God." The Rev. Cannon Anna Sutterisch says the birth and life of Christ transforms the relationship of God and humanity in Right Relationships." Dan Clendenin challenges us to mean what we say or routinely recite in "Ox and Ass Before him bow."

Saying Yes to God

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.

Surprised by Joy

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11  • Psalm 126 or Luke 1:46b-55  • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24   • John 1:6-8, 19-28

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.