St. Joseph- Luke 2:41-52

 On some calendars, March 19 is the feast of St. Joseph. Two Gospel passages are associated with this day: Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 2:41-52. Both highlight the often-neglected role of St. Joseph in the Incarnation. Of course, Jesus Himself is the focus of the Gospels, and the Virgin Mary is highly favored. Yet, Joseph must not be forgotten. He is a great example of a godly and honorable man. 

As Matthew 1 shows, in his initial response to Mary's unique pregnancy, Joseph is a merciful traditionalist. He wants to follow the rules in a kind way. But Joseph is also open to change for good reason. He hears and heeds the divine call, and in response to God's message, he accepts his vocation with courage and commitment. He is supportive of Mary. He cares for the blessed spouse and for the holy child entrusted to his care.  As Luke 2 indicates, after the birth of Jesus, Joseph leads the family into Egyptian exile during Herod's lifetime. Later, he is involved in the religious life of the holy family as shown in the pilgrimage at Passover when Jesus is twelve. Joseph probably also oversees young Jesus' basic education in the Scriptures and probably passes on his practical carpentry skills.

In these and many unknown ways, Joseph fulfilled his sacred vocation as a human father. For those who are human fathers, Joseph is a great example in that role. For all Christians, he is an example of love, religious duty, and self-sacrifice. May his example encourage us all in our devotion to and service to Christ!

Lent 4 (year A)- John 9:1-13,28-38

 The Gospel for the Fourth Sunday in Lent consists of selections from John 9:1-41. This is the story of Jesus giving sight to a man blind from birth. This healing on the Sabbath upsets the Pharisaic authorities in Jerusalem, and it leads to a hostile interrogation of the man, his parents, and Jesus. The man is delighted and grateful, his parents try to avoid involvement, and Jesus rebukes the Pharisees.

One could draw several points from this passage, but let us note the importance of this event in the development of Christ's ministry. Jesus tells the disciples that His time is limited and that He must work while He has time (John 9:4). He is called to do good while there is an opportunity, but His opponents try to intimidate those who benefit from His work. The opponents also show their hostility toward Jesus, a hostility that will soon lead to His death.

The world has always been filled with opposition to Jesus Christ and His work. Some people try to intimidate those who follow Jesus and benefit from His healing work. These opponents really do not like Him. In a sense, they choose to be spiritually blind. They prefer evil and oppose goodness. They seek every opportunity to discredit Jesus and His followers, and they wish to destroy Him and grasp more power for themselves. This dynamic is not confined to first-century Jerusalem or the ancient Pharisees. It has existed down through Christian history, and many in our decadent age still put their party loyalties and rules above Christ's mission.

A Change in Lectionary

Regular readers of this blog have noticed that my posts have become less frequent. There are two reasons for this. One is simply that I am older and have less energy.  A second is that I live in a rural mountain area far from a traditional Prayer Book parish. That means that when I attend a liturgical church within 100 miles, the three-year Sunday lectionary is used. With these factors in mind, I have decided to use the three-year lectionary as the basis for future posts. 

Mid-Lent

 The Thursday after the Third Sunday in Lent is roughly halfway through the season of preparation leading up to Good Friday and Easter. This fact makes it an appropriate time to pause and evaluate our discipline during the first three weeks of Lent. Have our goals been both holy and practical? Has our external practice been suitable for the season and our personal needs? Have our attitudes been sincere and devoted? Do we need to modify our goals and disciplines for the last three weeks of Lent? Do we need to increase our efforts or pray for better attitudes? Whatever our personal answers, let us pray for divine grace to be fervent in living faith and pious devotion! Let us continue to walk with Christ toward the cross and resurrection!

Presentation of our Lord- 2 February- Luke 2:22-40

 See the post from 2020- 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7257657322146128434/8153710249979688256

Epiphany II- Mark 1:1-11

 For some reason, the Sarum rite and historic English Books of Common Prayer omitted the Baptism of our Lord from the communion lectionary. The 1928 American BCP reintroduced this ancient Epiphany theme and inserted it for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany (Mark 1:1-11).  Jesus came to be baptized by John in order to fulfill all righteousness. He was personally sinless, but our incarnate Lord identified with the human need for spiritual cleansing. In His human nature, He also received a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as He began His public ministry. Finally, the heavenly voice proclaimed Jesus to be the Son of God. Christ's Baptism manifests the Holy Trinity. 

This event in Jesus' life is a unique manifestation or epiphany of the divine glory in Christ. It reveals who He is,  and it anticipates His whole public ministry and work for human salvation. He is the Son of God who brings redemption to sinful humanity.

Epiphany I- Luke 2:52

 One of the liturgical/lectionary idiosyncrasies of traditional Anglicanism is evident on the First Sunday after Epiphany. On this Sunday, many calendars and lectionaries, ancient and modern, commemorate the manifestation of Christ at His Baptism. However, Books of Common Prayer from 1549 through 1928 and 1962 focus on the visit of the Holy Family, including twelve-year-old Jesus, to the Temple. The 1928 American BCP provides for the Baptism on Epiphany II, and the 1962 Canadian BCP provides for the Baptism with optional propers to be used on Epiphany or later.

The epiphany or manifestation of the youthful Jesus in St. Luke 2:41-52 shows forth both His true humanity and His divine Sonship. The reality of His human development is summarized in Luke 2:52, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."

Throughout His life on earth, our Lord Jesus Christ was both unique and ordinary. He sensed His unique relationship with God the heavenly Father, and He knew that He was called to live as a real but perfect human being. Unlike fallen humans, He always put the Father first. He grew and developed without sin. Although we are sinners who repeatedly fall short of Christ's perfection, His example should elicit our humble and faithful response. As Christians, we affirm the unique manifestation of God in Christ while we also seek the grace to follow Him and grow in wisdom and holiness. 

Epiphany- 6 January- Matthew 2

 Epiphany on January 6 is probably the oldest Christian feast besides Easter and Pentecost. In the early Greek-speaking Church, the day was about several of Christ's manifestations- His birth, His Baptism, and the beginning of His public ministry. Later, especially in the Latin churches, the day of Epiphany itself became associated with the coming of the Magi. In modern times, although Epiphany remains on church calendars, it is often neglected. For many Christians, even many Anglicans, it is anticipated, postponed, or ignored. In many cases, all that remains of the traditional observance may be wise men in a pre-Christmas children's December pageant, a carol, or a reading from Matthew 2 in a service of lessons.

However, Epiphany deserves our attention because it embodies significant Christian themes. The Wise Men or Magi represent the coming of the Gentiles or nations to Christ. Their natural human search for wisdom led them to respond to God's sign in nature and follow the star. Yet, before they could complete their journey, they also needed the guidance of Holy Scripture. Finally, they came to the Holy Child, and they did what every person should do. They fell down in adoration or worship, and they offered Him precious gifts.

At Epiphany, let us still seek Christ and follow the guidance of Scripture. Let us worship Him and offer Him our best gifts. Now that the worldly Yule and New Year have passed, Epiphany is an opportunity for Christians to pursue quieter and deeper devotion. So let us reflect on the coming of our Savior to save all nations!

Christmas II- Matthew 2: 19-23

This year, there is a Second Sunday after Christmas, a Sunday that does not occur every year and lacks a notable liturgical identity. Many service books, including some Books of Common Prayer, do not provide propers for the day, but the 1928 BCP does contain a collect and lessons. The Gospel from Matthew 2:19-23 refers to the sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt and their return to the Holy Land, to Nazareth. 

It has been observed that here we see the Holy Family, and the Christ Child in particular, reliving the history of Israel. In re-reading this account, I was struck by the association of the names of the Holy Family with the Exodus. Saint Joseph bears the name of the patriarch who provided for the survival of Israel. The Virgin Mary's name is derived from the name of Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, a prophetess. And of course, the name Jesus is a version of Joshua, the assistant and successor of Moses. His name means "the Lord saves."

So, the journey of the Holy Family and their names allude to a great new divine act of redemption. Christ's Birth, early life, ministry, death, and resurrection are parts of the same story. The Lord God saved and freed His people in Egypt, during the Exodus, and in their return to the Promised Land.  Through Jesus, who is the Christ, God is doing something that is both similar and much greater. The Incarnation is rooted in Israel's past, but it transcends that past. Jesus is the one who embodies eternal salvation. The true joy of Christmas is based on God's redemptive work in Jesus!

The Circumcision and Holy Name of our Lord- 1 January- Luke 2:21

 On the traditional church calendar, the first day of January is not observed as New Year's Day. In fact, for much of church history, even the secular or civil new year was not observed in January. When the early Books of Common Prayer were published, the civil new year was still observed on 25 March (and continued this way until the new British calendar in 1752). On the church calendar, January 1 is the eighth day of Christmas (the liturgical Octave), and this day recalls the circumcision and naming of the Holy Child in accord with Jewish tradition.

One finds an emphasis on the name in the traditional Gospel assigned on this day. Luke 2:21 states that at the circumcision, the child "was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb."  Jesus (Greek IESOU, Aramaic YESHUA) was a common Jewish name of the time, meaning "The LORD saves." In the case of this child, the common name has a special significance. This child born in Bethlehem is the divine Word incarnate who has come to save His people. Thus, the most appropriate way for us to begin a new year is to praise the holy name of Jesus and give thanks for the salvation that has come in the Christ Child!

St. Sylvester- 31 December

 Since ancient times, Christians have been uncertain about how to approach the pagan New Year's Eve from the Roman calendar. One response was to designate the last day of December as the feast of St. Sylvester. In Germany, this was sometimes a big celebration. Among Anglicans, it has been a minor commemoration, listed as a "black letter day" in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. 

Sylvester was Bishop of Rome from 314 to 335 A.D. He became Bishop right after the Emperor Constantine issued his Edict of Toleration for Christianity, and Sylvester served during a time of great change for the Church. He sent legates or representatives to the Council of Nicea in what is now Turkey in 325. Of course, this council, which became known as the First Ecumenical Council, defended the reality of the Incarnation against the Arian Heresy. The response became known as the Nicene Creed. 

Many later legends about Sylvester are doubtful, but the verified facts indicate that Sylvester was a faithful bishop who strove to defend the orthodox Faith.  His faithfulness remains an example for Christians across the centuries. So, as we Christians mark the change in the secular calendar, let us be cautious and reflective. We may give thanks for the old year and toast the opportunities of the new, but we must look beyond such matters and focus on the divine light and truth incarnate in Jesus Christ. In the words of John 1:4-5,  "In [Jesus Christ] was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."

Holy Innocents Day- 28 December- Matthew 2

 This year the First Sunday after Christmas is also Holy Innocents Day. St. Matthew 2 tells us about the cruel act of King Herod I. Hoping to eliminate the threat of the Messiah to his dynasty, the king ordered the execution of male children in Bethlehem under two years of age. This reminds us that even at the time near Christ's Birth, evil, sin, and death were still at work. The Christ Child was feared and hated, and His innocent contemporaries were killed. The world is still much the same. The holy child is still not universally welcomed, and evil people still destroy the innocent to preserve power, wealth, and comfort.

Despite such evil, God's work continues. Herod did not succeed in destroying the incarnation of God's truth, love, and grace. In our day, there are similar realities. Evil still causes much suffering, even of the most innocent. However, God's redeeming work is not defeated. Truth, love, and grace continue and will continue to the end of the age and beyond! God's goodness triumphs over evil!

St. John, Apostle and Evangelist- 27 December

In the early centuries of the Church, the days after Christmas became associated with various important figures and events. By at least the sixth century in France and Italy, December 27 commemorated St. John the Apostle and Evangelist. The collect for the day has been handed down with only slight changes since that time. It reads:

Merciful Lord, we beseech thee to cast thy bright beams of light upon thy Church, that it, being illumined by the doctrine of thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist Saint John, may so walk in the light of thy truth, that it may at length attain to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Commemorating John in Christmastide is appropriate because his Gospel, especially in chapter 1, proclaims the mystery of the Incarnation, the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us. Jesus Christ is the light that shines in a dark world and is not overcome by the darkness!

St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr- 26 December- Acts 7:55ff

The day after Christmas is the feast day of St. Stephen, the first martyr of the Church (Acts 7). Commemorating a martyr on this day may seem strange, but since the early days of the church calendar in the fourth century, the feast of the Nativity and that of St. Stephen have been bound together. Whatever the ancient reason for the date, this combination can teach us something important. As God's Son was born in humility, His humble servant Stephen had his heavenly birthday. Even celebrating the birth of Jesus, our Redeemer, cannot be isolated from the Cross. There is Christmas joy, but this joy is not worldly. Our joy is rooted in what C.S. Lewis calls the "deep magic"- salvation through loving sacrifice. We rejoice in faith and love because the divine work of redemption for us sinners is expressed in varied situations.

Christmas 2025

The Christian tradition is marked by two great periods based on events in the life of Jesus. The central commemorations are related to the redemptive acts at Holy Week and Easter; the second period centers on Christmas. Christmas and Holy Week/Easter Sunday bring the same Gospel message in different ways.

The church calendar associates many meaningful and beautiful passages of Scripture with the birth of Jesus, the eternal Son of God, who came to earth as a human infant. There are numerous Old Testament prophecies from Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others. There are epistle readings such as Hebrews 1, Titus 2, and Galatians 4. And of course, there are the Gospel accounts from Matthew, Luke, and John. Each of these Gospels has its own beauty and deep significance. One can say that Matthew 1& 2 focus on Joseph's perspective, that Luke 1& 2 reflect the point of view of the Virgin Mary, and that John 1 emphasizes the timeless theological meaning. 

All these Scriptures complement one another and provide believers with a broad vista for meditating on the meaning of Christ's Birth. They help us move beyond the beautiful but simplistic imagery of a childhood pageant, and they provide deep nourishment for heart, mind, and soul. They teach us the truth that Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, "came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man" for us and for our salvation (Nicene Creed). In other words, Scripture teaches us that Christmas is about more than a family festival or the birth of a great man; it is about our eternal salvation. That spiritual reality is where we need to put our emphasis, not merely for a few moments on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, but for twelve days and more!

Alleluia. Unto us a child is born; * O come, let us adore him. Alleluia. (Christmas Antiphon for Morning Prayer, 1928 Book of Common Prayer.)