Last Sunday After The Epiphany: From Epiphany to Lent

Today's Scripture Readings

Exodus 34:29-35 (NRSV)

Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

Psalm 99 (BCP., p.728)


2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 (NRSV)

Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.

Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.

Luke 9:28-36 (NRSV)

About eight days after Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Christ of God, Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"--not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

Blog Reflection

The ending of the Seasons after the Epiphany and Pentecost have a couple things in common.   They both end with a glorious image of Jesus.

The last Sunday after Pentecost is Christ the King.   We recall Jesus as the King who would come and establish the Reign of God and reign Himself in glorious majesty.   The celebration takes place as we prepare to journey into Advent when we recall that Christ who came once in history, will come again in glory, as we prepare to remember his first coming at Christmas.

Today, on this last Sunday after the Epiphany we have an image of Jesus glorious in the Transfiguration.  In the Transfiguration, Jesus reveals the glory of God as He prepares to go from that mountain to Jerusalem where He will be crucified on another mountain.   When we leave this mountain with Jesus today, we will go with him into the desert we call Lent.  As we walk with Jesus through Lent, we will be taking a good hard look at ourselves to make more space for God as we prepare to celebrate Holy Week and Easter.

Before Jesus can go on to Jerusalem, he goes up to the mountain to seek approval from God with what He is about to do.  Jesus is about to go forward and face the reality of His own death, before He can rise from the dead.  Those who are with Jesus are terrified of what they are witnessing.  But, though they are tired from their journey and work, they dare not fall asleep.   This is such a contradiction to what happened in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before the crucifixion.

One of the reasons why many Benedictine and Trappist Monasteries still celebrate Matins, is so that not only their bodies, but their hearts will also be awake to greet the coming of Christ.   It is one thing to be awake physically.   It is quite something altogether different to be awake in both body and mind.   To be awake with all of one's senses, to greet God with the words of Psalm 3:5.  "I lie down and go to sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me."   It is God who allows us to wake up for another night and day, to recall the mighty acts of God who will "surely, strike all my enemies across the face, you will break the teeth of the wicked. Deliverance belongs to the Lord, your blessing be upon your people" (Psalm 3:7 & 8).

We may not know or understand everything that happened in the Transfiguration.  But, we do know that any encounter with Christ that gives us a revelation of God can only lead to good things.  However, they will not happen without our willing to lose a little bit of ourselves to obtain it.  It will require us to seek the goodness of God in ways and people that will disturb our comfort zones and shake our arrogance.   We will need to be awake to see God's glory.

It is not uncommon that God is revealing God's Self in ways around us, but our minds and souls are still asleep.   There may also be moments and opportunities to encounter the revelation of God, but, are we really aware of what is there?

God is revealing God's justice in the efforts to address the issues of those who are oppressed because of racism, sexism, heterosexism, greed, and exploitation.   These are opportunities for others to encounter Jesus as being glorified as Christians take interest in the dignity of the human person by letting go of our prejudices to encounter Christ in new ways.

God is calling us all to wake up and see God's glory being revealed in what is taking place all around us.  God does not promise to end all violence, oppression and poverty.  God promises to be with us as God calls upon us to work to end these evils in our world.  We must stop frightening the world about God being destructive, when God is the One who loves us all.  God who is forever moving and changing in our midst, also calls us to move and change the world around us.

As Jesus needed to seek God's will before moving forward, so must we.  If we are to experience all that Lent can provide for us, we need first to spend some time in silence seeking God's will.  In our penances, prayers and readings through Lent, we must be open to seeking the presence of Christ in all people, places and opportunities.  They are moments by which God can reveal God's glory in us, if only we will go with Jesus to the cross over and over again.

"All who want to save their lives will lose them.  But all who lose their lives because of me will find them"  (Mt. 16:25 Common English Bible).

Amen.


Prayers

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son
revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that
we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be
strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his
likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer, p.217)


O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know
you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend
us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that
we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of
any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.  (Collect for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, p. 99).

Please note, that you can follow my writing from Ash Wednesday leading up to Palm Sunday, please follow my other blog on Word Press: Simple Reflections for a Deeper Spiritual Life.  There will be regular blogging here from Palm Sunday through Easter Day.

Third Sunday After Epiphany: Where Can You Use Your Gifts?

Today's Scripture Readings

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10  (NRSV)

All the people of Israel gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

Psalm 19  (BCP., p.606)


1 Corinthians 12:12-31a (NRSV)

Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts.

Luke 4:14-21 (NRSV)

Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all
the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,

to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

Blog Reflection

Saint Paul helps us to begin our meditation, as we continue to think about the gifts that God has given each of us.  Our gifts are unique, as is how we use them.  Our diverse gifts bring about a different result, but it all points to one common end.  To serve others in the Name of Christ.  

As an adult male, Jesus goes to the podium and reads from the Prophet Isaiah.  We hear this reading ever three years when we are on Year C.  The Year of the Gospel according to Luke.  This reading has been called, "Jesus' inauguration speech."  Additionally, it is the call to reach out to others to listen to their stories and seek to serve them in the way Jesus accepted His ministry outlined in this reading.  Jesus is interested in more than mere words.  Jesus understands that the words that He read, are the call of God on His life to make those words a living reality.

As in the time of Jesus, there are so many around us who are held captive and oppressed by injustice and prejudice.  Way too many people near and far who live in the oppression of poverty, violence and death as a daily routine.  Wealth, power and prestige are more important that the dignity of every human person.  Wounding those who are already wounded by life through no fault of their own; are made to bear even greater burdens while political candidates argue over which of their opponents deserve more dirt and mud than given a chance to make a difference.  The billion dollar funds of political action committees to hire bigger staff and push campaign after campaign to raise more money; while the voices of the voiceless are barely being spoken let alone heard.  

This Gospel text is in St. Luke's, because Luke was a physician.  A doctor who worked to cure and heal the sick.  That is why Luke's Gospel is full of amazing stories of Jesus as the Great Physician.  Those who found themselves broken physically, mentally and in terms of social exclusion; found in Jesus, the presence of God who welcomed them and offered them a new beginning.  Jesus calls Christians to use those amazing gifts that God gave us to do the work of ministry and make a difference in the world.  We are offered the opportunity today to decide if we are going to be the fulfillment of these words that began Jesus' ministry.  

As we listen to this Sunday's Liturgy of the Word, and respond by receiving the nourishing Presence of Christ in the Eucharist; let us ponder how we might prayerfully begin our work of the ministry of healing and reconciliation.

Amen.


Prayers

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our
Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News
of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive
the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 215).

Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this
land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as
their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to
eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those
who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law
and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of
us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 826).

Second Sunday After Epiphany: Who Crashed the Wedding Party?

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 62:1-5 (NRSV)

For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,

until her vindication shines out like the dawn,
and her salvation like a burning torch.

The nations shall see your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;

and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will give.

You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate;

but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,
and your land Married;

for the Lord delights in you,
and your land shall be married.

For as a young man marries a young woman,
so shall your builder marry you,

and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so shall your God rejoice over you.

Psalm 36: 5-10 (BCP., p.632)


1 Corinthians 12: 1-11 (NRSV)

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says "Let Jesus be cursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

John 2: 1-11 (NRSV)

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward." So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now." Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Blog Reflection

Saint Paul gave us a great way to begin our meditation.  Everyone of us has something special about us that God gave us to share with the family of God's Church; and make a difference in the Church and the world.  Our gifts are different, and they will impact the lives of others very differently.  Yet, they are just as valuable and important.

As Episcopalians, we have been deeply disturbed (and for good reason) by the statement made by the Primates of the Anglican Communion.  The Episcopal Church has been censured for becoming an inclusive church for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning people.  Those who are LGBTQ are justified in responding to this statement with anger, sadness, confusion and concern for LGBTQ people in other parts of the Anglican Communion.  I am sure many others who want nothing to do with religion of any kind have another good reason to avoid it.

Our Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry has suggested that The Episcopal Church's vocation might be to help lead the Anglican Communion to become a fellowship of churches that are truly inclusive of all God's people.   Not a bad thought.

Our Gospel today tells us that Jesus arrived at a very unusual wedding party.  Jesus was there with His mother.  The wedding party and the steward were looking at being ostracized for running out of wine.  Mary asks Jesus, Jesus appears to be the mouthy child in response to her.  Mary tells the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them.  We know the rest of the story from the text.  Jesus made the best wine at the party out of water.  That which was plain and appeared to be useless, became the generosity of God in double doses.  The love of God poured out in Jesus Christ became the life of the party.  God was revealed in Christ who gives of God's Self in totality so that others could draw closer to God.  In particular those who were outcast and in need of being included.  God crashed the wedding party and made a difference by changing the outcome of the story.

There are those who view LGBTQ people as having come to crash the party of "traditional" marriage, family and "the good" of human society.  The fact is LGBTQ people bring as much beauty to marriage, family and the good of all human society as other diverse peoples.  As Episcopalians and Anglicans who are the "via media" we make good use of the gifts God brings to the Church in those who agree with each other, and those who do not agree with each other.  In a quote by the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, the President of the House of Deputies,

"We re-affirm our identity as Anglican Christians. That identity, since its inception, has included two foundational principles: the ecclesiological autonomy of the church in a given land, and a comprehensive inclusion of divergent theological viewpoints. Our identity as Anglicans has never been a matter of credal or doctrinal subscription, nor of conciliar membership requirements."

The work of Jesus at the wedding at Cana was about bringing together all of the relationships present there into the focus of the relationships shared by everyone there.  They all served a different function from a different point of view; yet their work brought everyone to a similar ending.  Jesus made the water into wine, because people did what they knew how to do in their unique potential and capacity.  

A possible message; God places us where we are with the gifts we have to use them to manifest the presence of God in Christ.  It is the Holy Spirit that empowers us with those gifts.  It is up to us to discern what God would have us do with them.

May we all be open to crashing the parties where God can make a difference through us.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light
of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word
and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's
glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the
ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with
you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.  (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 215).

Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us
grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace
with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our
communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Prayer for Social Justice, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 260). 

Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it
with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt,
purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is
amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in
want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake
of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen.  (Prayer for the Church, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 816).

Last Sunday After the Epiphany: Transfiguration, Contemplation, Action

Today's Scripture Readings

2 Kings 2:1-2 (NRSV)

Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here; for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel." But Elisha said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel. The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, "Do you know that today the LORD will take your master away from you?" And he said, "Yes, I know; keep silent."

Elijah said to him, "Elisha, stay here; for the LORD has sent me to Jericho." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they came to Jericho. The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, "Do you know that today the LORD will take your master away from you?" And he answered, "Yes, I know; be silent."

Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you." Elisha said, "Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit." He responded, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not." As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, "Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

Psalm 50 (BCP., p.654)


2 Corinthians 4:3-6 (NRSV)

Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Mark 9:2-9 (NRSV)

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

Blog Reflection

Well, here we are.  The Last Sunday after the Epiphany.  Lent begins in three days.  Since the First Sunday after the Epiphany at Jesus' Baptism, we have followed Him through the calling of those first disciples, casting out demons and healing the sick.  Every year just before Ash Wednesday, the Church takes us to the mountain top with Peter, James and John as they experience Jesus' Transfiguration.  Just as with Christ the King Sunday before Advent begins, the Sunday prior to beginning Lent takes us to one of those glorious moments in Jesus' life and ministry.  The Transfiguration is also understood traditionally as an event within the Season of Epiphany.  God is manifested in Jesus in a luminous image of His glorified body after the Resurrection.  When Pope John Paul II added the Luminous Mysteries to the Dominican Rosary, the Transfiguration is one of the mysteries to meditate upon.

The Transfiguration is symbolic of what contemplative prayer is about.  Jesus is so in touch with who God is to Him, that He experiences the fullness of God's perspective of Him.  At this moment, Jesus makes preparation to walk down the mountain and make His way to Jerusalem where He will face His death and resurrection.  I believe that in the Transfiguration, Jesus receives from Moses and Elijah the connection of who He is and what He is about to do with the history of God's People.  Peter, James and John are so mystified by what takes place on the mountain, that they are terrified.   While these three disciples are following Jesus and learning from Him, they have not yet given themselves completely to the sacrificial work that God is doing in Jesus.  In this experience they witness for themselves the full revelation of Jesus so marvelously, that it fills them with a joy that makes them want to stay there with Him.  In that moment, their fear gave way to faith and they were able to hear God tell them to listen intentionally to Jesus from their hearts.  Jesus was transfigured, while the lives of Peter, James and John experienced transformation.

The last thing that Jesus said to the disciples seems rash if taken at face value.  Jesus is challenging them and us, to do more that just talk.  We are encouraged to live what we experience as we know God more deeply in our prayer and meditation and translate it into how we live.  As with any of the Biblical mysteries of Jesus' life cannot be explained or comprehended in our limited human minds.  But, they can be lived into reality as we listen to Jesus within our own hearts and respond in faith.  To respond in faith is our consent that we do not know how God wants to be transparent through us; but, we are willing to put one foot in front of the other in trust that God will take us the rest of the way.   It means allowing the Holy Spirit to widen those closed up spaces within our whole selves, so that we can face the prejudices that are there as they are, and seek healing and reconciliation with God and our neighbor.

This past week, we saw an outrageous example of how the Name of Jesus Christ is profaned in the State of Alabama.  As the freedom to marry became legal with the blessing of the Supreme Court, we saw several judges misuse their power to determine that their understanding of the Christian faith will be what everyone else observes.  By the way they used their judicial power the judges inflicted spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse on LGBTQ people and those who support their right to marry the person they love.  Jesus came not to decide who is saved and who will be damned.  Jesus came and made God's unconditional and all-inclusive love transparent through how He lived His life.  In the life, death, resurrection and transfiguration, Jesus gave a human face to God, as God became visible in transforming our human nature through a relationship of experiencing union with God in all aspects of our life.  Jesus upholds and preserves the dignity of every human person in His own divine reality and impacts humankind for all ages, races, sexual orientations, genders, religions, etc.  We owe Jesus and our neighbor our purest love, devotion and humility to do no less than what He did.

As we prepare to begin Lent this week, may we recommit ourselves to listening more intentionally to God within our hearts and respond by serving those in need around us.

Amen.


Prayers

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son
revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that
we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be
strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his
likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen.  (Collect for the Last Sunday After The Epiphany,The Book of Common Prayer, p.217)

Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this
land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as
their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to
eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those
who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law
and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of
us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for the Oppressed, The Book of Common Prayer, p.826).

Third Sunday After The Epiphany: Jesus Calls and Loves Us Where We Are

Today's Scripture Readings

Jonah 3:1-5, 10 (NRSV)

The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time, saying, "Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you." So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days' walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's walk. And he cried out, "Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.

When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do.

Psalm 62 (BCP., p.669)


1 Corinthians 7:29-31 (NRSV)

I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

Mark 1:14-20 (NRSV)

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea-- for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Blog Reflection

I often wonder what score those first disciples would have gotten on their General Ordination Exams (GOE).  Who would their facilitators been?  Even more so, who would have been on their discernment committees?   Who would their Formation Masters have been?  If a church body were able to determine their suitability for ministry, what kind of criteria would be used?  What might the Church look like today if a Vocation's Director decided that Peter or John were not qualified to be Apostles?

The readings for today are all about God calling us.  God called Jonah to go to the people of Nineveh.  Paul tells us to go on our way as if we have nothing.  Jesus calls those first disciples from where they are.  In Mark's Gospel, this narrative does not go one with the endless names.  It just gives a few names and says they left what they had in hand and followed Jesus.  It sounds to me like Mark doesn't want to waste any time.

God calls us where we are, because God loves us where we are in Jesus.  Jesus was God's prefect revelation in the human person.  All of our human limitations, potential and promise came to us infused by the Divine Presence in God's Anointed One.  "All the fullness of God's Divinity was pleased to dwell" (see Colossians 1:19) in our humanity in Jesus who came to love us where we are, and call us to do God's work in obedience to God's will in the here and now.  The obstacles we face in our lives including the labels others place upon us, along with whatever our history may say about us; prevent God from bringing us where God wants us, only if we put ourselves in God's way.

Though I am a Monk in training, there are so many ways in which I fail to be obedient, or agree to conversion of my manners, and evade God through instability.  God does not ask me (or anyone) to always succeed.  All God asks of us is to be faithful in responding to Jesus who loves us and calls us from where we are.  The way to holiness of heart and life is through allowing God to love us in the midst of our pain, disobedience and confusion and bring about God's healing and reconciliation in our lives and those around us.  In The Rule of St. Benedict at the end of Chapter 4 On the Tools of Good Works, he writes: "never despair of God's mercy." 

God calls us without discriminating against our gender, race, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, health condition, disability, language or for any other reason.  It is we who discriminate against ourselves and/or one another.  Each of us are called and loved by Jesus to do in this moment, in this vocation and doing this work what the Holy Spirit empowers us to do.  Whether that vocation is ordained ministry, parents, spouses, manual labor, religious life, lay people, teaching, social justice work and/or administration.  This list is hardly comprehensive.  I have left out a vocation that someone is being called to right now.

Are we listening for God to call us right here and now?

What are we ready to set aside to follow the God who loves us and calls us "by name"?  (See Isaiah 43:1b).

What do we hear God calling us to in the depths of our hearts?

Jesus is calling each of us to let Him love us here where we are.   The sky is the limit with the possibilities that are before us if we accept the love and call of Jesus.  

What will your answer be?

O Jesus, joy of loving hearts,
the fount of life and our true light,
we seek the peace your love imparts,
and stand rejoicing in your sight.
(Hymnal 1980 #649).

Prayers

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our
Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News
of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive
the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Collect for the Third Sunday After the Epiphany.  The Book of Common Prayer, p. 215).

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole
body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified:
Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before
you for all members of your holy Church, that in their
vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you;
through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.  (Prayer for Mission, The Book of Common Prayer, p.100).

Almighty Father, whose blessed Son before his passion prayed
for his disciples that they might be one, as you and he are one:
Grant that your Church, being bound together in love and
obedience to you, may be united in one body by the one Spirit,
that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your
Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in
the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Prayer for the Unity of the Church, The Book of Common Prayer, p.255).

Second Sunday After the Epiphany: Listen and Follow

Today's Scripture Readings

1 Samuel 3:1-10 (NRSV)

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. The word of the LORD was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.

At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. Then the LORD called, "Samuel! Samuel!" and he said, "Here I am!" and ran to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call; lie down again." So he went and lay down. The LORD called again, "Samuel!" Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call, my son; lie down again." Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. The LORD called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, `Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

Now the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

Psalm 139: 1-5, 12-17 (BCP., p.794).


1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (NRSV)

 "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are beneficial. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food," and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, "The two shall be one flesh." But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

John 1:43-51 (NRSV)

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" Nathanael asked him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you." Nathanael replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

Blog Reflection

A good contemplative loves the story of Samuel and his experience of hearing God's voice.  He is awoken by a voice calling his name.  He thinks Eli called him, but, it was not Eli.  Eli told him what to do the next time Samuel heard a voice calling him.  When God calls on Samuel, he answers with, "Speak for your servant is listening."

These words of Samuel, are among a good set of words to say as we begin the prayerful reading of Scripture (also known as Lectio Divina).   When we say such words as we enter into a prayerful conversation with the Word, we are able to redirect ourselves away from our inner noise and listen more intentionally to God.

Just in the first three weeks of 2015 we have heard about violence in various corners of the world.  The horrific episode in France along with the equally awful responses with rhetoric that stirs up more violence towards Muslims and/or Atheists.   Is there anyone who is willing to listen to God?

This past Friday, the Supreme Court announced that they will hear and decide freedom to marry cases for the States of Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.  On a building in another state was written the words: "No gay marriage, kill them all."  Oh, so charitable.  Is there anyone who is willing to listen to God?

In our Gospel reading for today, Jesus calls His first Apostles.  Nathanael is skeptical of Jesus because of where He comes from.  It is only when Jesus tells Nathanael that He has known him on a deeper level, that Nathanael acknowledges who Jesus is.  This exchange of conversation suggests to me that knowing who Jesus is, is intimately personal and communal.  God is seeking a closer union with the Christian through a relationship with Jesus Christ that is known in the depth of one's heart; while being expressed in the love of our neighbor as ourselves.

Why is it so much easier to live into a personal relationship with Jesus within ourselves, than to also live it in community?   Because each of us (myself including) thinks either too highly of ourselves; or, has such a low self-esteem that we try to cover up our inferiority complex by putting others unlike ourselves down.   We identify ourselves and our relationship with God because of how much we pray, what we know, our age, education level, Church vocation, psychologically nice vibes in prayer, etc. 

I have begun to read Thomas Keating's book, Open Minds, Open Hearts.  I am reading the book as part of my formation.  The book is about centering prayer.  Keating suggests that among the reasons that we drift away from God within ourselves and in our relationships with others, is because of how we identify ourselves.  Our thoughts, feelings, labels, images, ideas, etc which are good by themselves; but, when we begin to identify ourselves and our relationships with God through them, we lose touch with God as our personal center.  When we lose our touch with God in our own center, we can so easily begin to become tone deaf to God's presence in others around us.  We place obstacles in our relationships, and we become too self-centered.

Jesus is calling each of us into a deeper relationship with Himself, through our relationship with that spouse who is struggling with addiction issues.  God calls us to follow Jesus in that job that frustrates us to no end.  We are being called by the Holy Spirit to respond to the call of Jesus through the house project that seems to never get done.   If we respond to God calling us in that individual who is poor, sick, labeled beyond second class citizenship, disabled, lonely and without the bare necessities that we take for granted; we need to respond to God with reverence, respect and humility.  A humility that knows we make mistakes, but are willing to learn how to trust God through them to make things right.   What we are unable to do ourselves, we can always ask God for help, and/or for the assistance of others who can better help than we can.

Jesus calls us to listen and follow Him.

What will your response be?


Prayers

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light
of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word
and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's
glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the
ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with
you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.  (Collect for the Second Sunday After The Epiphany.  The Book of Common Prayer, p.215).

O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior,
the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the
great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away
all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us
from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body
and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith,
one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all
of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth
and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and
one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.  (Prayer for the Unity of the Church.  The Book of Common Prayer, p.818).

The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ: The Astrologers Got It Right

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 60:1-6, 9 (NRSV)

Arise, shine; for your light has come,

and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

For darkness shall cover the earth,

and thick darkness the peoples;

but the LORD will arise upon you,

and his glory will appear over you.

Nations shall come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Lift up your eyes and look around;

they all gather together, they come to you;

your sons shall come from far away,

and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms.

Then you shall see and be radiant;

your heart shall thrill and rejoice,

because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,

the wealth of the nations shall come to you.

A multitude of camels shall cover you,

the young camels of Midian and Ephah;

all those from Sheba shall come.

They shall bring gold and frankincense,

and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.

Psalm 72 (BCP., p.685)


Ephesians 3:1-12 (NRSV)

This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- for surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.

Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSV)

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Blog Reflection

This past Sunday, Jason and I took a small day trip to visit the historic Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour in Faribault, Minnesota.  It is historic in that it was the original Episcopal Cathedral of Minnesota  in which the cornerstone was laid by The Rt. Rev. Henry Benjamin Whipple in 1858.  It was also the first Cathedral in The Episcopal Church.  We were warmly welcomed and enjoyed ourselves immensely. 

The Very Rev. Justin Chapman, the new Dean told us all in his sermon some incredible things.  Among them, is that we Christians have often gotten the Christmas story all wrong.  The inn that had no room for Mary and Joseph was not like a Days Inn.  It was an inn with a family space and a guest house.  The reason there was no room is because the guest house was already occupied and the family room also had one guest.  The Manger would not have been a wooden cradle with hay.  It was a cave where straw and food for the animals would have been.  Therefore, the Child Jesus would not have been in the cold, He was laid in a very warm place.  Fr. Chapman also gave me a bit of an education about the Magi.  Notice that no where in the Gospel of Matthew do we read the word "kings."  Instead we read about the "wise men" and we do not see the word "three" in there.  How many men (or possibly women) were there?  Additionally, the Magi would have been the outcasts of the outcasts of their day.  They were astrologers who read the stars.  Some very good insights indeed.

On this celebration of The Epiphany, the center of our worship today is the manifestation of God in Christ.  Another word for Epiphany is "revelation."  Jesus Christ was the perfected revelation of God's Self in The Word Incarnate.  The visit of the Magi and the offering their gifts to the Christ Child turns the page on the Christmas story.  The twelve days of Christmas are over.  Now a new chapter begins.  The Lord shows forth God's glory by not limiting God's Self to only one people with one way of thinking and/or believing.  Jesus Christ is the revelation of how God seeks the healing and reconciliation of all people with God, even those who are not the most included or accepted.  On the contrary, in Jesus, God manifests the presence and grace of God upon the lowly and poor.  For "He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, and dear shall their blood be in his sight" (Psalm 72:14).  "He shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, and the oppressed who has no helper" (Psalm 72:12). 

As the Church continues to struggle to be more inclusive and to share the Good News of Jesus in a world full of oppression, poverty and prejudice; the greatest challenge we have is facing the ways in which we have failed in our mission.  The Church too has our history of keeping the outcasts out because of our biases that we have in many cases nurtured.  Each time we discover something that we Christians have been getting it wrong, we begin a journey towards the Christ Child with the Magi to learning the truth about our faith in a new way. 

Maybe our journey will be guided by the astrologers who study the stars and their meaning again. 

Maybe heterosexual couples will learn how to better understand the value of their own relationships as the freedom to marry for same-gender couples becomes better known and accepted.

Maybe we will develop a greater understanding of how to eliminate gender bias, by learning to embrace and love transgender people. 

Perhaps if we allow our hearts to be punctured by the excessive racism that we saw in 2014, we just might do something about it in 2015.  

If all of us are really sick of our communities and schools threatened by gun violence; we might do more than just talk about reducing the violence, but actually become responsible and act to protect our children citizens and law enforcement.

Maybe we just might become better stewards of the earth and its many resources, and address the issue of climate change.

If the astrologers as in the Magi got it right about who Jesus was (and is), then so can we.  If the Magi can change the story about Jesus in a way that makes Him the Savior of those marginalized by society and the Church, so can we.  The Light of Christ is our guide to finding Jesus present in our sisters and brothers who cry out for justice, equality and peace.  If we follow the example of the Holy Family and the Magi, we can and most likely will make an impact on humankind that will be told in the here and now, and eventually into eternity.  

Wouldn't that be just wonderful?

Amen.


Prayers

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son
to the Peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by
faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to
face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Collect for The Epiphany.  The Book of Common Prayer., p.214).

Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it
with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt,
purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is
amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in
want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake
of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen.  (Prayer for the Church.  The Book of Common Prayer., p.816).    

Last Sunday After the Epiphany: The Crown of Epiphany before Lent

Today's Scripture Readings

Exodus 24:12-18 (NRSV)
 

The LORD said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction." So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. To the elders he had said, "Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them."

Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

Psalm 2  (BCP., p586)


2 Peter 1:16-21 (NRSV)

We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Matthew 17:1-9 (NRSV)

Six days after Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

Blog Reflection

The significance of the Transfiguration as the Last Sunday after the Epiphany before Ash Wednesday in the Revised Common Lectionary is at an important crossroads for the Church.  Before we enter into the forty days of Lent, leading up to Holy Week and Easter Day, we journey with Jesus, Peter, James and John and climb the mountain where Jesus is transfigured.   We are witnesses to the event of the Transfiguration with those three Apostles, scared, wanting to stay there with Jesus, Elijah, and Moses in this moment of light, prophecy with a glimpse of the glory of God in Christ.  Just as the Season of Epiphany concluded at the Baptism of Jesus with the voice of God telling us that Jesus is God's Beloved with whom God is well-pleased, we are given the same request at the Transfiguration along with being told to listen to Jesus.

I recently started reading a new book as part of my formation.  The book is entitled The Mystery of Christ: The Liturgy As Spiritual Experience by Thomas Keating.  Keating writes that  we began this Liturgical Year with Advent, and then went through Christmas in which Jesus was born as the Word made flesh.  The Greek word for flesh is Sarx.  Meaning all of our human nature as it actually is, with all of it's suffering, immaturity, it's prone to rebel against the love of God, neighbor and self became one in the Person of God's Son, Jesus the Christ. "It is the human condition committed to it biological survival for its own sake or for the sake of the clan, tribe, nation or race" Keating wrote page 26.  Keating goes on the tell us the other side of Sarx.

The Greek word soma refers to the body insofar as it is open to further evolution: it is the human condition open to development. "The Word was made flesh" signifies that by taking the human condition upon Himself with all its consequences, Jesus introduced into the entire human family the principle of transcendence, giving the evolutionary process a decisive thrust toward God-consciousness (page 26).

The Season of the Epiphany is the crowning of Christmas, as the marriage between God and humankind.  This idea is what is meant with the story of the Marriage at Cana found in John 2:1-11.  The union of God with all humankind is consummated in the Holy Eucharist, which is the entire Paschal Mystery made present in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

The Season after the Epiphany finishes with the Transfiguration.  Another view of Jesus as the Light, in glory with the prophets from the Hebrew Scriptures announcing the new era of God's manifestation in what is about to happen as Jesus prepares for that final journey towards Jerusalem.  There in Jerusalem, Jesus will face His trial, crucifixion, and win the victory over death in His resurrection.  However, we cannot go there with Jesus, until we leave this holy mountain and journey with Him through Lent. The Season of self-denial, penitence, alms-giving, fasting and prayer.  The time to examine ourselves a bit more closely, to be sure we are ready to go all the way with Jesus to the Cross, or if we are still holding ourselves back by our own sins, disobedience, prejudices and our false sense of self.

The temptation of the Transfiguration is to say with Peter; "Lord, it is good for us to be here.  Let me build tents for all of us, so we can stay here and worship you."   However, it is not enough to stay with Jesus in our moments of glory and beauty by themselves.  If we are to experience the full impact of Jesus as God's perfect revelation of God's Self, then we must also walk with Jesus from the mountain back to the valleys of our lives.   As we return to those troublesome valleys,with all of the dangers and uncertainties, we can be confident that our God who is with us in Jesus in those glorious moments on the mountain, will be with us in the difficulties we face in the valleys. 

This past week, we went through some very dark valleys for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.   On Monday we got the very sad and troubling news that the President of Uganda signed into law the draconian bill that further criminalizes LGBT people for who they are, and who they love.  The law in and of itself is bad enough.  The fact that it was encouraged by American Evangelical Christian Missionaries makes the passing of this law even more egregious.  The message of the Gospel used as a means to hurt LGBT people with another deep wound, and defame the Name of Jesus Christ who came to redeem us all, without asking any of us to give up being who we are.  The grief many of us are feeling at this time is deep and brutal.  Yet, in ways that we cannot explain or understand, God is with us in Christ.

We were all relieved that Arizona Governor Jan Brewer vetoed S.B.1062 that would have been a license to discriminate on the unfounded basis of religious liberty.   However, after she vetoed the bill, a Fox news correspondent made the claim that "If you are Christian and live in Arizona, your Governor has just told you that the first amendment of the Constitution no longer applies to you."   Let's get one thing clear.  There are Christians who believe in protecting the rights of LGBT people, supporting immigration reform, a woman's right over her reproductive health care, supporting the poor, retired and disabled through Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and health care reform.   Those of us who do support these and many other important social justice issues of our time, are no less Christian than those who do not.   So, when you suggest that all Christians believe the same to be a Christian, you may want to ask the Lord at what point did He give over His job of judging others to you.  It was after all, Jesus who was transfigured on that holy mountain.  And it is God who told all of us that in Jesus we are God's beloved with whom God is well-pleased.   And, God told all of us, that is every one of us, to listen more closely to Jesus.   I think if we all listen just a little bit more closely from the heart, instead of through the minds of religious based bigotry disguised as defending religious liberty, we will hear Jesus tell us to love one another without distinction.   Jesus doesn't make scapegoats out of others to excuse Himself from loving others.   Only Christians who want to use the Gospel as an excuse for discrimination and violence do that.  I am so thankful that I have the choice of answering the call to serve Christ, by following Him so seriously, by not taking the Bible too literally.

When Jesus came down the mountain to His disciples who were on the ground in fear, what did He say to them?  "Get up and do not be afraid."   That is what He tells all of us to do today.   Before we go from today, into Ash Wednesday, our Lord calms us by telling us, "Get up and do not be afraid."   Jesus wants us to get up from where we are, and not be afraid to follow Him.  Because, from this point, Jesus is "God with us" where ever we go.   He is the presence of God in our lives and to others around us.  He is with us in the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us toward a closer relationship with God and one another.  Let us now, listen more closely to Jesus, as God's Beloved, with whom God is well-pleased.

Amen


Prayers

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son
revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that
we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be
strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his
likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.217).

Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it
with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt,
purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is
amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in
want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake
of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.816).

 Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this
land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as
their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to
eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those
who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law
and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of
us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.826).

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany: Season, Shine, Fulfill

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 58:1-9a (NRSV)

Thus says the high and lofty one
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
Shout out, do not hold back!
Lift up your voice like a trumpet!
Announce to my people their rebellion,
to the house of Jacob their sins.
Yet day after day they seek me
and delight to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness
and did not forsake the ordinance of their God;
they ask of me righteous judgments,
they delight to draw near to God.
"Why do we fast, but you do not see?
Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?"
Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day,
and oppress all your workers.
Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
and to strike with a wicked fist.
Such fasting as you do today
will not make your voice heard on high.
Is such the fast that I choose,
a day to humble oneself?
Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush,
and to lie in sackcloth and ashes?
Will you call this a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?
Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you,
the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.

Psalm 112  (BCP., p.755)


1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (NRSV)

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But we speak God's wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written,

"What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the human heart conceived,
what God has prepared for those who love him" --

these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God's except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.

Matthew 5:13-20 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Blog Reflection

As wonderful as it was that we celebrated The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple last Sunday, we missed the wonderful Reading from Matthew 5:1-12 which would have included the Beatitudes.   The central message is that Blessed are those who recognize their need for God. God will satisfy such a need by God's abundant grace.  Being poor in Spirit, means relying on God's mercy and faithfulness.  Recognizing that all that we could hope for, or need, can be found in God.  God's mercy, righteousness, a peacemaker, and those persecuted in Jesus' Name.

Today, we are presented with three interesting images.  We are told that we are the salt of the earth, the light of the world and that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law of God.  

Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth.  A good interpretation is that we are the seasoning for the Gospel in the world.  The Gospel without being transparent in the lives of Christians, can become pretty useless.  The Gospel may be full of beautiful stories, sermons, parables and events.  But those words alone are not enough to transform the world, if they are left abstract on the page.  Jesus is the Incarnate Word of God made real in the world.  There is not just a stone that tells us what God has done, or a parchment with a lesson.  In Jesus, that which God speaks, lives, breaths, walks, talks, heals and changes the lives of those around Him.  Jesus invites us as Christians to live what we are hearing Him teach us.  If what we hear Jesus teach us does not become the seasoning that adds a fantastic aroma to our lives, we become tasteless and useless.  We become unable to do more than tell a good story, and become a loud mouth know-it-all.  

Jesus who is called in St. John's Gospel as the Light of the world, tells us that we are the light of the world.  In other words, we are the image of Christ in the world around us.  If we take what Jesus teaches and does to heart, and give it life by how we live and worship God in our families, jobs, communities, and homes, that light shows the glory of God.   If we allow Jesus to be darkened by our personal prejudices, arrogance and a false sense of self, it is the same as putting a lamp underneath a table where it is of little value to those who need to see light in their lives.

Jesus then identifies Himself as the fulfillment of the Law.  The Law of God, is love of God, neighbor and self.  Jesus is telling us, that He Himself fulfills this as He is closest to God as God's Son, and that we are also to draw closer to God through Jesus.   Jesus did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it.  To live the meaning of the love of God, neighbor and self, not just from an exterior experience, but from the inside out. 

A month or so ago, I had the opportunity to do Lectio Divina on the beginning of Chapter 4: On the Tools for Good Works, from The Rule of St. Benedict.

First of all, love the Lord God with your whole heart, your whole soul and all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matt 22:37-39; Mark 12:30-31, Luke 10:27) (RB 1980, p. 26).  

My experience of actually spending time meditating on these words in my heart, changed my life.  Instead of reading it, or hearing it in a Liturgy, the words become part of me.  I am able to meditate on what God expects of me, when God asks me to love God, my neighbor as myself within my own heart.  When what we read goes from the head to the heart, it can transform our relationship with God and others.

What St. Benedict is telling us, that the beginning of our doing good in the world, begins with God's commandment to love.   To recognize God as the beginning of all love, as well as the purpose and destiny of love.   Whatever good we might wish to accomplish, if we are not able to love, we will do so with no good reason if love is not the driving energy of what we do.  (See 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 NRSV).

When Christians make the choice to preach a gospel of hate for people of different races, cultures, abilities, the poor, LGBT people, women etc, it is a gospel that is tasteless, dark and contrary to the Law of God's love.

When Christians suggest that gun owners are being persecuted by a movement such as Episcopalians Against Gun Violence, what is happening is that the Holy Spirit is moving upon people to change their ways with regards to justifying horrible violence as a way to make a political point, and those who are resisting, are running to the "we are being persecuted" as a defense mechanism.   The Gospel in this instance, because useless salt and lights that are burning out.  Because violence in any form is never the will of God.  Not even to defend a particular belief of Christians, or to suggest that all other points of view in Christianity are wrong, while others are completely right. 

If Christians are to make a difference in the world, where justice is regularly watered down by corporate dollars for political campaigns, and missionaries of hate transport homophobia to countries like Uganda, Nigeria and Russia, it is so important for us to be true to the Jesus who is compassionate, inclusive and merciful. 

In our prayer and work, if we can support a diverse Church and society, the Gospel will be transparent and living, giving salt, light and fulfillment to all who observe and interact with Christ in us.

Amen.


Prayers

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us
the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known
to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns
with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.  (Book of Common Prayer, p.216).

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the
earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those
who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people
everywhere may seek after you and find you, bring the nations
into your fold, pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten
the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.257).

Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it
with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt,
purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is
amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in
want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake
of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.816).