Epiphany II- Mark 1:1-11

 For some reason, the Sarum rite and historic English Books of Common Prayer omitted the Baptism of our Lord from the communion lectionary. The 1928 American BCP reintroduced this ancient Epiphany theme and inserted it for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany (Mark 1:1-11).  Jesus came to be baptized by John in order to fulfill all righteousness. He was personally sinless, but our incarnate Lord identified with the human need for spiritual cleansing. In His human nature, He also received a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as He began His public ministry. Finally, the heavenly voice proclaimed Jesus to be the Son of God. Christ's Baptism manifests the Holy Trinity. 

This event in Jesus' life is a unique manifestation or epiphany of the divine glory in Christ. It reveals who He is,  and it anticipates His whole public ministry and work for human salvation. He is the Son of God who brings redemption to sinful humanity.

Epiphany I- Luke 2:52

 One of the liturgical/lectionary idiosyncrasies of traditional Anglicanism is evident on the First Sunday after Epiphany. On this Sunday, many calendars and lectionaries, ancient and modern, commemorate the manifestation of Christ at His Baptism. However, Books of Common Prayer from 1549 through 1928 and 1962 focus on the visit of the Holy Family, including twelve-year-old Jesus, to the Temple. The 1928 American BCP provides for the Baptism on Epiphany II, and the 1962 Canadian BCP provides for the Baptism with optional propers to be used on Epiphany or later.

The epiphany or manifestation of the youthful Jesus in St. Luke 2:41-52 shows forth both His true humanity and His divine Sonship. The reality of His human development is summarized in Luke 2:52, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."

Throughout His life on earth, our Lord Jesus Christ was both unique and ordinary. He sensed His unique relationship with God the heavenly Father, and He knew that He was called to live as a real but perfect human being. Unlike fallen humans, He always put the Father first. He grew and developed without sin. Although we are sinners who repeatedly fall short of Christ's perfection, His example should elicit our humble and faithful response. As Christians, we affirm the unique manifestation of God in Christ while we also seek the grace to follow Him and grow in wisdom and holiness. 

Epiphany V- Matthew 13:24-30

 The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany does not occur every year in the traditional BCP calendar, and even this year it is the last Sunday before Pre-Lent begins. The Gospel for this Sunday (Matthew 13:24-30) is the parable of the tares or weeds. Although the Epiphany Season emphasizes the spread of goodness and light, this passage serves as a reminder that the spread of goodness is not always upward and onward. There are also problems and setbacks. While goodness grows, evil also grows beside it. The church in the world is God's field, but all is not as it should be. God's spiritual enemy has scattered bad seeds in the field. 

In the parable of the tares, our Lord reminds us that life in the world, including life in the church on earth, is a mixture. Certainly, the church at all levels needs individual and community discipline. Sometimes, certain obvious sinners should be excluded from the church. Yet, there will always remain problems and corruption in this world, even in the Christian church. Until the final harvest, weeds will keep growing beside the good grain in God's field. As we recognize that reality, we should also seek divine grace to grow in goodness ourselves and to encourage the growth of goodness around us.

Epiphany IV/ Presentation of Christ- Luke 2:22-40

Several different names can be applied to this coming Sunday. It is the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, but this year, Epiphany IV falls on 2 February. So the day is also the Feast commemorating the Presentation of Christ in the Temple on the fortieth day after His Birth. Another name is the Purification of Saint Mary the Virgin because she also underwent certain rites at this time. In the Middle Ages, the day also became known as Candlemas because of the custom of blessing ecclesiastical candles on this date.

Luke 2:22-40 reminds us that the Holy Family chose to fulfill all righteousness; they followed the Law perfectly. In doing so, they pointed to the general human need for both purification and redemption. In the words of the Prayer Book Collect for the Day, the divine "Son was this day presented in the temple in substance of our flesh, so we may be presented unto [God] with pure and clean hearts ... by Jesus Christ our Lord." Through Christ, may we all be purified and presented to God on a daily basis!

Epiphany III- John 2:1-11

 The Gospel for the Third Sunday after Epiphany(in the 1928 BCP) is the account of the miracle of the water turned into wine  (John 2:1-11). This story has several associations. One point is that Christ graced the wedding with His presence and blessing, and there are times when we do well to focus on that connection. However, the central point of the story in John's Gospel, especially at this time in the church year, lies elsewhere.

The key issue is Christ's action and His disciples' response to Him. The miracle is a sign of who Jesus is. He is God's anointed, and He is Lord over creation. He transforms the purification waters of the Mosaic covenant into the best wine of the new covenant. He manifests His glory, "and His disciples believed in Him" (John 2:11). 

Although the disciples are slow to grow in faith, here they make an appropriate response. They see that God is working through Jesus in a unique way. The disciples respond in faith to this epiphany or manifestation of divine glory. May we also respond to such signs by faith in Christ!

Epiphany II- Mark 1:1-11

Usually, the 1928 Book of Common Prayer uses the same sequence of propers as the 1662  BCP.  However, the medieval English Sarum liturgy which influenced Prayer Books omitted Christ's Baptism. In recognition of the ancient tradition connecting Christ's Baptism with Epiphany, the 1928 revisers placed a Gospel about the Baptism of our Lord (St. Mark 1:1-11) on this Sunday in the Epiphany season. This means that the sequence of readings for the Second through the Fourth Sundays after Epiphany are in a different order in the 1928 BCP. (The Sarum/1662 Gospel from Matthew 8:23 ff is omitted in the 1928 communion cycle although it and the synoptic parallels are read three times as daily office lessons.)

It is certainly appropriate that we should reflect upon our Lord's Baptism during Epiphany. Although Jesus of Nazareth did not need to be cleansed from any sin, He underwent this ritual of cleansing to give His followers an example and to dedicate Himself publicly to His mission. And as He did so, the Holy Spirit blessed Christ and His ministry while the heavenly Father proclaimed His approval of His only Son. 

Christ's Baptism is unique because Jesus Christ is unique. Yet, His Baptism does prefigure later Christian Baptism. Jesus provided a model for His followers. Every Christian Baptism is a uniting with Christ the only begotten Son, a blessing by the Holy Spirit, and an adoption as a child of God the Father.

Epiphany I- Luke 2: 41-52

 On the First Sunday after Epiphany, traditional Books of Common Prayer from 1549 through 1928 focus on the visit of the twelve-year-old Jesus to the Temple. The epiphany or manifestation of the youthful Jesus in St. Luke 2:41-52 shows forth both His true humanity and His divine Sonship. In this contexr.  Luke 2:52 concludes, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."

As a youth and throughout His life on earth, our Lord Jesus Christ embodied both unique and ordinary characteristics. He had a unique relationship with God the heavenly Father, but He knew that He was called to live as a real (and ideal) human being. As Luke indicates, Jesus experienced normal but perfected human growth and development. 

This mystery of the Incarnation calls for our faithful response. As Christians, we affirm the manifestation of God in Christ. The eternal Word has become flesh and lived among us as true man. While we are far from His perfection, we are called to follow Him. We seek divine grace to follow Him and grow in wisdom and holiness. 

Conversion of St. Paul- 25 January

 Since the sixth century, January 25 has been the date to commemorate the conversion of the great persecutor of Christians into the great missionary of the Gospel. Whatever the original reason for the choice of this date, it is certainly appropriate for us to remember St. Paul during the Epiphany season. Once again, there is an epiphany or manifestation of Christ, this time the revelation of the risen Lord to Paul on the road to Damascus. The glory of this manifestation is blinding in the short term but transforming in the long term. 

The Conversion of St. Paul has a personal significance for most believers because Paul became the great apostle to the Gentiles, and the vast majority of Christians are Gentiles. In addition, through St. Paul, we have half the New Testament Scriptures. So on this day, let us give thanks for St. Paul. In the words of the collect, let us follow "the holy doctrine which he taught," and let us consider how we too may participate in Christ's mission to all people.

Epiphany III- John 2

 As noted previously, the 1928 American Book of Common Prayer made changes in the traditional English Gospel selections during the Epiphany season in order to include a passage on Christ's Baptism for the Second Sunday after Epiphany. Thus, for the Third Sunday after Epiphany, the 1928 BCP has the Gospel that the English and Canadian Prayer Books have on Epiphany II- the miracle of the water into wine (St. John 2:1-11).

This miracle story has several meanings. One approach is to focus on the divergent responses to this manifestation of Christ's power. 1) The majority of people at the wedding in Cana were oblivious to the miracle. Although they enjoyed the wine, they did not notice that divine power was at work in Jesus. 2) The servants of the host saw what Jesus did and were merely amazed. The miracle was just a little surprise during their daily work, a surprise that was not really meaningful to them. 3) Christ's disciples saw what He did, "and His disciples believed on Him" (John 2:11). Their faith in Jesus would slowly develop over time, but faith was already growing.

To this day, these three basic human responses to God's work in Jesus Christ continue. Most people benefit from God's gifts without noticing anything. A few, like the servants at the wedding, have moments of amazement, but they do not come to faith. Only the few who follow Jesus and believe in Him grow in faith. Even though disciples have limited insight, they respond in faith and grow in understanding. May the same be true for all of us!

Confession of St. Peter- 18 January

In the sixth century, the Gallican (French) church began to observe January 18 as the feast of the Chair of St.Peter. This feast highlighted Peter's apostolic/episcopal authority by focusing on the symbol of the cathedra. In the sixteenth-century Reformation, Anglicans and Lutherans simplified their calendars by reducing holy days, eliminating this one. (Roman Catholics eliminated this feast with Vatican II modifications.) Later, some Anglican and Lutheran calendars re-introduced a commemoration of the Confession of St. Peter on this date.

Certainly, Simon Peter's confession of faith in Jesus as the Messiah is an important point in the Gospels. The extended account in Matthew 16: 13-20 points to core affirmations about Jesus and the foundation of the Christian Church. Peter is a leader among the Twelve and his affirmation of faith has remained at the heart of Christianity. Sincere believers still profess and trust that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of the living God. Such faith is the rock on which Christ's Church is built, and the Church will endure till the end of earthly history.

During the twentieth century, ecumenical dialogues among Christian groups designated the week or octave beginning on January 18 as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, This observance was first proposed by an Anglican priest in 1908, and it was later promoted by inter-church groups. The groups associated with ecumenism have had their problems. They have often been weak on theology and basic Christian morality. Nevertheless, praying for better communication and understanding among those who claim to follow Jesus is an admirable cause, So as we contemplate St. Peter's pivotal confession of faith, let us pray for all who sincerely believe in Jesus, and let us pray for the Church's Scriptural mission in a fallen world.

Epiphany II- Mark 1

 From the Second Sunday after Epiphany through the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany,  the sequence of propers in the 1928 American BCP diverges from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. By placing a Gospel about the Baptism of our Lord (St. Mark 1:1-11) on this Sunday in the Epiphany season, the 1928 revisers were paying homage to ancient associations of Epiphany. In the ancient eastern churches, Christ's Baptism was the key epiphany or manifestation. Among western churches. Christ's Birth and manifestation to the Magi became central, and Christ's Baptism was ignored in some liturgies such as Sarum.

So although commemorating our Lord's Baptism on this particular Sunday is not universal, even among Anglicans, it is certainly appropriate that we should reflect upon this important Gospel event. Although Jesus of Nazareth did not need to be cleansed from any sin, He underwent this ritual of cleansing to give His followers an example and to dedicate Himself publicly to His mission. And as He did so, the Holy Spirit blessed Christ's human nature while the heavenly Father proclaimed His approval of His only Son. Christ's Baptism is unique because Jesus Christ is unique. 

Nevertheless,  Christ's Baptism prefigured later Christian Baptism. He provided a model for His later followers. Every Christian Baptism is a uniting with Christ, a blessing by the Holy Spirit, and an adoption as a child of God the Father.

Epiphany I- Luke 2:41-52

 Historically, the First Sunday after Epiphany has had several associations. At some points in church history, it has simply been the Sunday within the octave (ecclesiastical week) of Epiphany and repeated the collect and lessons of that ancient festival. From early times, it was also associated with Christ's Baptism. (In the 1928 American BCP, the commemoration of Christ's Baptism is for Epiphany II). In traditional Books of Common Prayer, the Gospel for this Sunday continues Luke's Christmas-Epiphany sequence with the one recorded episode from Christ's later childhood: the episode of the twelve-year-old Jesus in the temple (St. Luke 2:41-52).

This Gospel shows how Jesus continued to fulfill all righteousness in His human nature. As a pious Jew, He was concerned with studying and applying the Scriptures. In His case, there was a special awareness that He was about His "Father's business" (Luke 2:49). Along with this awareness, He remained the ideal son who at that age was subject to His earthly parents' authority.

On the one hand, the episode shows something unique about Jesus. It is a manifestation or epiphany of God the Son incarnate as the perfect young human being. At the same time, it is also a call to us to follow Jesus' example. As sinners, we never follow His example perfectly, but aided by His grace, we are called to be about our heavenly Father's business and to seek to grow in service.

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 II- the Baptism of our Lord- Mark 1:1-11

The Books of Common Prayer from 1549 through 1662 follow the usage of Sarum and do not have a Sunday Gospel on Christ's Baptism during the Epiphany season. The 1928 American BCP re-introduced the reading from Mark 1:1-11 to observe this important event. 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. Jesus also received a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit on His human nature 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 ahead 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 later Christian Baptism commanded by the risen lord in Matthew 28:19. Yet, in part, the Baptism of Jesus is also a model for us. He underwent Baptism to point to the human need for the washing of regeneration. He was pure, but we need to be cleansed. He was already in unity with the Spirit while we need to be born anew by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He was the Son of God by nature, but we need to be adopted as children of God. Baptism also points us to our ministries. Being baptized into Christ makes us members of Christ's Body and calls us to continue Christ's ministry in this world.

The Second Sunday after Epiphany- the Baptism of our Lord

The Epiphany season has long been associated with the Baptism of our Lord (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:1-11). The 1928 American BCP assigns this commemoration to 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. 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 is a beginning of ministry. All those who have been baptized into Christ are called to continue the ministry which Christ started in this world.

Epiphany Season 2019

My blogging has gotten off to a slow start this year, but I did have a general comment on the Epiphany readings from the gospels. Of course, all the Sundays on the church calendar are for proclaiming the Word of God, but personally, I have always found the Gospels for the observance of Epiphany and the following Sundays to be particularly meaningful. After all the craziness of modern Christmas observances and before the appropriate somberness of Lent, we have a little time to pause and reflect upon some of the epiphanies of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We think of Christ's divine glory manifested to the Magi and of His first adult appearance at His Baptism. We recall events as simple as Christ turning water into wine and as dramatic as healing lepers and a centurion's servant. We may remember His teaching and rejection at Nazareth and His first healings of demoniacs and other sick people at and around Capernaum. All of these stories show Jesus of Nazareth as more than merely a teacher or even a miraculous healer. They manifest Christ's glory as the Son of God. They are earthly signs of His heavenly identity. Furthermore, these manifestations call for an appropriate response- the response of faith in Jesus as Messiah and divine Savior. May His glorious appearances inspire us to renewed affirmations of faith!