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!

Trinity Sunday- Matthew 3:16-17, John 3: 5-16, Ephesians 2:18, I Peter 1:2

Much has been and can be said about the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity.  It is appropriate that we focus on the doctrine of the Holy Trinity one week after celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Church. Although human beings can use both reason and poetic language to talk about the nature of the Triune God, our personal appreciation of this unique Christian teaching depends on the divine grace which the Holy Spirit pours into our hearts and minds. In other words, perceiving, confessing, and appreciating the doctrine of the Trinity is not a natural human ability but a gift of divine grace. 

There are numerous Scriptural passages that both maintain divine oneness and unity and refer to all three divine Persons.  There are New Testament texts such as Matthew 3:16-17, John 3: 5-16, Ephesians 2:18, 2 Corinthians 13: 14, and 1 Peter 1:2 that express a Trinitarian understanding of God's self-disclosure to humanity. In particular, the Gospel for this day from John 3 alludes to the work of all three divine Persons in being born anew by water and the Spirit. These biblical teachings are also summarized and explained in the three ancient Creeds, the ancient church fathers, and statements in numerous Christian sources. In other words, the doctrine of the Trinity embodies and expresses core Christian beliefs about creation, redemption, and sanctification.

Trinity XXI- Ephesians 6: 10-20; John 4:46-51

The Collect for the Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity is an ancient one, first recorded in the Gelasian Sacramentary (a Gallican-Roman rite from the eighth century or earlier). The themes are divine pardon and peace that lead to service.

The Epistle from Ephesians 6: 10-20 is a well-known passage that uses a description of Roman armor to bring out a number of references to the ways that God helps us in the struggles against evil in this world. The Apostle Paul exhorts his readers to be strong, not only for their own spiritual well-being and sanctification, but also in order to pray for him and the advance of the Christian message.

The Gospel from St. John 4:46-54 concerns a topic that is very common in the Scriptures- and very common among all human beings- healing. All people need physical healing from time to time, and even when physical health is good, there are other afflictions of mind and soul. Today’s reading about the nobleman and his son is one striking miraculous healing, but it is more. It is a sign of who Jesus is, and it is a spiritual encounter. The result is that a proud man and his household come to humble faith in Christ.

Trinity XX- Ephesians 5: 15-21; Matthew 22: 1-14

Years ago, I posted longer comments on the Epistle and the Gospel for the Twentieth Sunday after Trinity. This year, here are brief comments on the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel.

COLLECT- The thematic prayer for this Sunday goes back to a Latin version in the Gelasian Sacramentary, but the English translations of 1549, 1662, and 1789 modified it a little. The changes in the collect seem to have been for two reasons: to emphasize mercy and grace and to improve the English style. Christians are dependent upon God's bountiful goodness in order to avoid harmful things and to follow divine commands.                                                                                                              

EPISTLE- The selection from Ephesians 5:15-21 is part of a series of selections from this letter during the Trinity season. In general, all of these selections have a two-pronged emphasis: sound doctrine about Christ and His Church and a Christian way of life. These two points are not separate because as the Apostle teaches repeatedly, a truly Christian way of life is a result of basic beliefs about God's redeeming work in Christ. Ephesians 5:15 says, "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise...." Here St. Paul begins an emphasis on wisdom. This is not some generic wisdom; it is the wisdom of the Christian walk or way of life. It stands in contrast to the general wisdom of the pagan world, which is really foolishness. The Christian wisdom that the Apostle promotes is based on the divine wisdom manifested in Jesus Christ. Walking in such wisdom, Christians will be "redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:16). The world is fallen and corrupt, and Christians are to make the best use of the time. So in Ephesians 5:17, Paul exhorts,"Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." The way to true wisdom is not through some pagan philosophy or some mysterious cult; the way to true wisdom is to know and follow God's will revealed most fully in Jesus Christ.

GOSPEL- Matthew 22: 1-14. This is one of several passages that compare God's kingdom to a feast, in this case, a wedding feast for the king's son. This version is a little more elaborate than a similar story in St. Luke's Gospel. Noteworthy is the addition of the account of the unprepared guest in St. Matthew 22: 11-14:  "And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding-garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding-garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen." 

The whole passage is about people who do not respond properly to divine grace, and the final story is about an unappreciative response. The man accepts the King's invitation, but he does not bother to make appropriate preparations. However, although gracious, the King expects His guests to show respect, to be grateful, and to get ready. And anyone who does not respond respectfully is not allowed to remain in the King's presence; he cast out into the darkness. In a sense, this unworthy guest is expecting cheap grace, but God does not work that way. He expects our human responses to show our appreciation of His holy and gracious nature. Many are called, but chosenness is indicated in the response.

Trinity XVII- Ephesians 4: 1-6

The brief collect for this Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity is one of my favorites: 

LORD, we pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

As a linguist, I find the archaic use of the verb prevent interesting. Here this word is used in the original Latin sense, "come before"- a sense that still exists in modern Romance languages. Aside from that tidbit, the real reason that I appreciate this collect is that it reminds us that we are surrounded by grace and that it is only through such divine grace that we can do good works. 

Today's Epistle from Ephesians 4:1-6 continues the discussion from the selection last week about the interplay of Christian doctrine and ethics. In 4:1, the Ephesians are exhorted "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called." The Christian walk or way of life is based on the divine call to believe in and follow Jesus Christ. In verses 2-3, this way of life is presented both as an individual embodiment of virtues such as humility, patience, and loving forbearance and as a communal way of life that holds on to the unity given by the Holy Spirit. 

Ephesians 4:4-6 develops the theme of true Christian unity. Such unity is not some human achievement or organizational structure. While greater cooperation among Christian organizations is often desirable, the unity presented in this portion of Scripture is of a different nature. It is rooted in the unity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Christians are already members of "one body" empowered by "one Spirit." They share "one hope..., one Lord, one faith." They have been grafted into the Body of Christ by "one baptism." And above all these aspects of oneness, there is "one God and Father of all." He is the ultimate source of any good unity.  True unity is awareness of a common faith in God through Jesus Christ, and it exists despite external human differences of race, language, culture, or church background.

Trinity XVI- Ephesians 3: 13-21; Luke 17:11-17

The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity emphasizes God's compassion in different ways. The Collect prays for the pity of God to cleanse and defend the Church which cannot continue in safety without divine aid.

The Epistle from Ephesians 3:13-21 is an exhortation by the Apostle Paul for the church to remain steadfast in faith. Remaining strong in faith depends upon power from the "Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith..." Through God's work, believers "know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge...." Again the initiative lies in the mercy, grace, and love of God revealed in Jesus Christ.

The Gospel for the day is from St. Luke 7:11-17. Instead of verbal teaching or discourse, this passage shows divine compassion in one of our Lord's actions- the restoration to life of the son of widow from the village of Nain. Certainly, both the death of a young person and a parent losing a child can arouse a special pity. However, in this case, Christ's compassion is more focused on the woman because her situation is particularly dire. The young man was her only son, and she was a widow. In first-century society, that meant that she was being left alone and without livelihood or protection. Thus, in compassion, our Lord raised the young man and restored him to his mother. (We might also note the crowd's reaction: both fear and respect for the work of Christ.)

On this Sunday then, let us focus upon the mercy and compassion of God for His people. Human beings in general and Christians in particular are constantly dependent upon Him. We need cleansing and protection. We need inspiration from the Holy Spirit and awareness of the loving presence of Christ. Whatever our trials in this world, Christ reaches out in compassion to help us and lift us up. May we be open to Him!