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.
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