Epiphany IV- Support in All Dangers

The length of the Epiphany season in any year is determined by the date of Easter. This means that this year, the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany is the last Sunday in the Epiphany season on the traditional calendar. Next week, the Pre-Lenten season will begin with Septuagesima Sunday.

The Collect and lessons for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany are filled with valuable and diverse themes. In this post, I will only highlight one of these topics. This topic is our need for divine assistance. This topic is related to our readings today, and it is emphasized in the collect of the day. This thematic prayer says, "O God, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature, we cannot always stand upright; Grant to us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." 

This collect goes back to at least the 900s and was revised for the 1662 Prayer Book, It reflects the human situation that Christians always face in this world. Although the details shift according to time and place, there are perenially "many and great dangers." These dangers are physical, mental, and spiritual. They include sin, crime, war, injustice, political instability, economic conditions, natural disasters, disease, personal health, etc, We are frail creatures who cannot withstand all these dangers on our own, and we constantly need the support of divine grace. We are to trust that regardless of circumstances, God knows our situations and provides us with the kind of help that is the most beneficial for our souls.

Epiphany III- The Wedding at Cana- John 2:1-11

 In the 1928 BCP, the Gospel for the Third Sunday after Epiphany is from St. John 2:1-11. (In the 1549, 1662, and 1962 Canadian Prayer Books, this reading is for Epiphany II).  Like other Epiphany readings, it has the theme of epiphany or manifestation.  The story of Jesus turning water into wine is a sign.  This miracle points to Jesus as the Lord of creation who can do things that no one else can. There are also other themes in the passage such as the transformation of traditional Jewish rituals into the "new wine" of the Gospel. There is also the response of the disciples. As John 2:11 concludes, "... his disciples believed on him."

This time, I would focus on another theme related to this Gospel; that is, marriage, The account of the Wedding at Cana is familiar to some because of its mention in the Form of Solemnization of Matrimony. This event, along with other passages of Scripture, is one indication of our Lord's honor for traditional marriage between a man and a woman. Such marriage was established at the creation of humanity, and while our Lord and His followers value celibacy as a way of serving the divine kingdom, it is clear that loyalty within a marriage between one man and one woman is the ideal to be pursued by most human beings. Traditional monogamous marriage is the context in which most people serve God. 

Thus, Christ "adorned and beautified" this holy estate "with His presence and first miracle which He wrought in Cana of Galilee" (1928 BCP, p. 300). In other words, Jesus' presence and the miracle at the wedding are not accidents. Although our Lord is pursuing high spiritual goals, He does not despise an ordinary village wedding. He publically honors the institution of marriage by His presence, and He works behind the scenes to bring joy and blessing to the couple and the community. Likewise, despite the foibles and failings of men and women, we should respect marriage as a holy estate established by God.

Epiphany II- The Baptism of our Lord- Mark 1: 1-11

For centuries Christ's Baptism has been associated with Epiphany, but the traditional Books of Common Prayer in England did not include it as a Sunday Gospel. The 1928 American BCP reintroduced the account from Mark 1:1-11 for the Second Sunday after Epiphany. By coming to John to be baptized, Jesus fulfilled all righteousness. Although sinless, our incarnate Lord expressed His solidarity with sinful human beings who all need cleansing. He also received a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as He began His public ministry. And the heavenly voice acknowledged Him as the Son of God. Thus, at Christ's Baptism, there is a proclamation of the Holy Trinity. This moment is a unique manifestation or epiphany of the divine glory in Christ. It also points to His whole public ministry and work for human salvation.

Because of Christ's uniqueness, there are certainly historical and theological differences between His Baptism by John and the later institution of Christian Baptism. Yet, in part, the Baptism of our Lord is also a model for us. He underwent Baptism to point to the human need for washing or cleansing. Although He was pure, He identified with us sinners who need to be cleansed. Although He was already in unity with the Spirit, we continually need to be strengthened by fresh outpourings of the Holy Spirit. While He was eternally the Son of God by nature, we need to be adopted as children of God. We also need to notice that Baptism is a beginning of ministry. All those who have been baptized into Christ are called to continue the ministry that Christ started in this world.

First Sunday after Epiphany- Luke 2:41-52

The Epiphany or manifestation of Christ has many associations.  On this Sunday after Epiphany, some churches linger on the visit of the Wise Men, and focusing on the Magi is certainly an option since very few contemporary Anglicans currently attend an Epiphany service on January 6.  Some other churches jump ahead to Christ's Baptism in the Jordan, and this event is important, but that event is considered the next Sunday in the 1928 BCP. For this First Sunday after Epiphany, the collect and lessons in traditional Books of Common Prayer are rooted in ancient and medieval English church traditions, 

The Gospel from Luke 2:41-52 presents the Christ Child growing into a young man. It shows Him manifesting insight and wisdom and becoming more aware of His earthly mission. It also shows a dual aspect of the Holy Family, In some respects, they do ordinary Jewish things, but they also have an extraordinary calling and character. So even while celebrating Passover and experiencing an ordinary family mix-up. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are growing in their unique vocation to serve God the Father. May we also grow in our Christian vocations in the midst of ordinary life!

The First Sunday of Epiphany- Baptism of our Lord- Matthew 3:13-17

 This First Sunday after the feast of Epiphany has long been associated with the Baptism of our Lord (Matthew 3:13-17). By coming to John to be baptized, Jesus fulfilled all righteousness. Although sinless, our incarnate Lord expressed His solidarity with sinful human beings who all need cleansing. He also received a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as He began His public ministry. And the heavenly voice acknowledged Him as the Son of God. This moment is a unique manifestation or epiphany of the divine glory in Christ. It also points to His whole public ministry and work for human salvation.

Because of Christ's uniqueness, there are certainly historical and theological differences between His Baptism by John and the later institution of Christian Baptism. Yet, in part, the Baptism of our Lord is also a model for us. He underwent Baptism to point to the human need for the washing of regeneration. Although He was pure, He identified with us sinners who need to be cleansed. Although He was already in unity with the Spirit, we need to be strengthened by fresh outpourings of the Holy Spirit. While He was eternally the Son of God by nature, we need to be adopted as children of God. We also need to notice that Baptism marks a beginning of ministry. All those who have been baptized into Christ are called to continue the ministry that Christ started in this world.

Epiphany 2023- Matthew 2, Ephesians 3

The sixth day of January is the Epiphany, one of the oldest observances on the Christian calendar. Although this commemoration has been associated with several manifestations or epiphanies of Christ, among western Christians including Anglicans, the emphasis has usually been on the manifestation of the Christ Child to the Magi or Wise Men, sometimes also called kings. 

This event is based on the Gospel from Matthew 2:1-12.  The key verses are Matthew 2:1-2, "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."  

Since the Wise Men are Gentiles or non-Jews, Epiphany has often been associated with the theme of the universal appeal of the gospel to all peoples. The theme of the universality of the gospel is emphasized in the epistle reading from Ephesians 3:1-12. In these verses, the Apostle Paul emphasizes his calling to be a minister of the gospel among the Gentiles. In the first nine verses, Paul uses the word Gentiles or "nations" three times, along with the phrase "all men" (3:1,6,8,9). The goal of the apostolic ministry and mission is "that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel" (Ephesians 3:6). The light of Christ, the truth of the gospel, is for all peoples. The Christian message extends the hope of fellowship with God to the ends of the earth. Like St. Paul, may we continue to witness that the gospel message of salvation is intended for all people!