Thursday, January 2, 2014

Epiphany

“Let your light so shine before others,that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16

Monday, January 6, 2014, is the Festival of the Epiphany of Our Lord.  Epiphany means "manifestation." On this day we celebrate the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles—that is, to all nations. Some Christian traditions celebrate three great epiphanies on this day: the magi's adoration of the Christ child, Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River, and his first miracle, in which he changes water into wine. The word and sacraments are for us the great epiphany of God's grace and mercy. We go forth to witness to the light that shines brightly in our midst.

To mark this occasion, I invite you to join with others of our community for a service of evening prayer/ Epiphany Vespers at 7:00 PM on Monday at Saint Luke Lutheran Church. Invite a friend, relative, or neighbor to come along.  The service (only about a half-hour long) will be followed by a time of refreshments and fellowship.


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This morning I was speaking with a friend of mine about making a resolution for the new year. It seems like the thing to do. She mentioned to me that she ran across a passage from the Bible that she thought she would try to incorporate into her life this year.  Here is the passage:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,and do not lean on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  Proverbs 3:5-6
Since our conversation, I have been thinking and meditating about this. Trusting with all means just that.  It means that I can't knowingly hold anything back. I'm all in. And the next line doesn't mean I can't use my mind and have thoughts and ideas. What it does say is that I shouldn't be depending upon it at the expense of depending upon God. My own independent understanding (as informed and insightful as I think it is) isn't an alternative fuel for the engine of faith. It may make a fine additive or supplement from time to time, but leaning on it with all my weight is dangerous!

Have you made a resolution for the new year? I'd like to invite you to incorporate this passage from Proverbs into your plan. Let me know how things work for you.


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Second Sunday of Christmas
January 5, 2014

Readings
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Psalm 147:12-20
Ephesians 1:3-14
John 1:1-18

Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, 
you have filled all the earth with the light of your incarnate Word. 
By your grace empower us to reflect your light in all that we do, 
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, 
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever.  Amen 


Here is another blast from Brother Bruce:


2 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing this, Christopher! Who says that "This Little Light of Mine" is just for kids?

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  2. Christopher, I just saw your meditation again. Thanks for sharing it. Reading it again brings to mind an article I am writing. I am taking the side of a young man who absconded from the military because of the peace teachings of Jesus. At times, it makes me feel like someone with a gun is looking over my shoulder, but I keep on writing. There have been other times in my life when I have felt this kind of pressure. Examples: teaching seminarians in a fundamentalist Hindu area of India and being asked (as we recently were) to teach seminarians in Nigeria where the Boko Haram is shooting people in churches. The question is, "Will we be faithful?" You are right when you quote the scripture, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

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