The Epistle for this Sunday is from St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, 12:6-16b:
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.
These words of the Apostle come from the more practical or application part of the Epistle and remind believers of their ministries. Romans 12, verses 6-8 point out that every Christian has a calling to use his/her unique combination of gifts and talents in God's service. Verses 9-16 are a general exhortation about living a Christian way of life, a life full of love and other virtues. All this is possible because of faith in the redemptive grace of Jesus Christ which the Apostle emphasizes in the first chapters of Romans.
The points of this Epistle can have a special application as we consider the season of Epiphany. During this part of the church year, there are two emphases: 1) the epiphanies or manifestations of Christ in the Gospels and 2) ways that Christians serving the living Lord can continue to manifest Christ in the world. From prophesying or proclaiming Christ's message to helping the needy, each of us should be as active as possible in living out our individual callings. In addition, beside or through our unique vocations, each of us should seek the divine grace to embody the holy characteristics that Christ manifested in His ministry.
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