Christmas

The Feast of Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ commemorates an event and also proclaims a key theological concept- the Incarnation. "And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" (St. John 1:14). Of course, we celebrate the birth of a great person in human history, but as Christians, we celebrate much more; we celebrate the transcendent and eternal God coming in human flesh. If we can focus on that reality, then we will raise the level of our own observances beyond a simple birthday party. We will move into the realm of mystery, awe, and thanksgiving. And if we really appreciate the mystery of the Incarnation,  maybe we will become better witnesses to a world in desperate need of God in Christ.

Second Sunday in Advent- Scripture

The Second Sunday in Advent has often been called "Bible Sunday," and the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel for this Sunday all stress the importance of Holy Scripture. As Anglicans, we should always remember that God’s revelation is basic. All that is necessary for salvation is found in Scripture. Yet, Scripture is closely connected with Christ's Church. Scripture and the Church have always been intertwined. Scripture reveals divine truth. It is the foundation of faith. It guides and corrects the Church, but the Church also serves as God’s instrument to preserve and interpret Scripture.

Personal acceptance and applications of Scripture are necessary, and individual opinions about Scripture can be valuable, but corporate understandings of Scripture are a safeguard. While 1 Peter 2:9 assures us that all believers are priests in a general sense, 2 Peter 1:20 warns, “no prophecy of scripture is of a private interpretation.” Properly understanding Scripture depends upon the work of the Holy Spirit within the Body of Christ, the universal Church. Great thinkers and even pious believers can make mistakes about some biblical ideas and texts. Even large Christian organizations and denominations have erred on some points. At times in history, many Christians have accepted poor explanations on some points of faith or morals.

Yet, God's Word remains forever (1 Peter 1:25), and Christ promises that the gates of hell shall not prevail against His universal Church (Matt. 16:18). Divine truth and faithful believers will continue till the end. So we look to the understanding of Scripture that has survived in the Church through the centuries. We look to the catholic or universal faith of the ancient Church, “what has been believed everywhere, always, by all” (St. Vincent of Lerins). These are the beliefs reflected in the church fathers and summarized in the ancient creeds. They are found among the Reformers and in the Prayer Book Catechism. They are expressed in the historic liturgies. There may be differences about interpreting some details, but the core of Scripture is clear. And that core of Scripture centered on Christ the eternal Word of God calls for our faithful response. May Advent be a time for us to renew our commitment to an orthodox Christian understanding of Scripture!

Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity- Ephesians 3:16-17

The Epistle for this Sunday is from Ephesians 3:13-21. This is a passage rich in many topics, but this time, I would focus on verses 16 and 17a: "that he [God the Father]would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith...." 

Here we see the interaction of the Holy Trinity for our salvation and sanctification. The Father works in a transcendent way as He sends the Holy Spirit to work upon our inner selves, and this work of the Spirit enables Christ to dwell in the hearts of those who have faith. 

Remaining aware of both the outward and inner workings of God often seems difficult for human beings. There is an external objective work of God in the universe and upon human beings which we must not ignore. Yet, this external work also needs to be accompanied by an internal and personal or subjective influence within believers. If we neglect either the external or the inward aspect, we do not benefit from the full biblical concept of divine action.

Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity- Galatians 6:14

From the Epistle to the Galatians, let us highlight a key verse. Galatians 6:14 says, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." The Apostle Paul had a great religious heritage and a great intellect. He worked extremely hard and endured much for the cause of Christ. Yet, despite such great advantages, St. Paul realized that he had no personal reason to glory. Only the crucified and risen Savior was his reason to glory.

The same is true of every believer. For the Christian believer, there is ultimately only one reason for glory: the cross of Jesus Christ. Through what Christ accomplished on the cross, those who are joined with Him in faith and in Baptism die to worldly life in order to share in eternal life. In the long run, such divine grace is the source of any glory in the Christian life.

Third Sunday after Epiphany

The Epistle continues the series of selections from the twelfth chapter of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans. The ethical exhortation this week is Romans 12:16-21. Previous selections seem to have focused on relationships among believers, but this time (especially beginning in verse 17), the application seems broader- "no man," "all men."

Although the world may abuse or attack believers in a variety of ways and although anger may be an understandable reaction, Christians sould seek to control their responses. They do so because they trust in divine Providence. God wants all events to contribute to His redemptive purposes. Whether the difficulties of the faithful or the punishment of the unrepentant, all things should work to further God's kingdom. Doing good to enemies may even lead to their repentance and conversion.

Second Sunday after Epiphany- Vocation

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.