First Sunday after Christmas- Matthew 1:18-25- St. Joseph

 The Gospel for the Sunday after Christmas is Matthew 1:18-25. This Scripture highlights the often neglected role of St. Joseph in the Incarnation. Of course, Jesus Himself is the focus and the Virgin Mary is the highly favored one. Yet, Joseph must not be forgotten. He is a great example of a godly and honorable man. 

In his initial response to the unique pregnancy of Mary, Joseph is a merciful traditionalist. He wants to follow the rules as kindly as possible. But Joseph is also open to change for a good purpose. He hears and heeds the divine call, and in response to God's message, he accepts his vocation with courage and commitment. He is supportive of Mary. He cares for the blessed spouse and for the holy child entrusted to his care.  After the visit of the Wise Men, he leads Mary and Jesus into exile for safety from Herod's cruel slaughter of the Innocents, and later he returns the family to a settled life in Nazareth. Joseph is involved in the religious life of the holy family, as shown in the pilgrimage at Passover when Jesus was twelve. Joseph probably also oversaw young Jesus' basic education in the Scriptures and seems to have passed on his practical carpentry or cabinet-making skills.

In these and many unknown ways, Joseph fulfilled his sacred vocation as a human father. For all those who are human fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or mentors, Joseph is a great example of true manliness. For all Christians, he is an example of love, religious duty, and self-sacrifice. May his example encourage us all in our devotion to and service to Christ!

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!

First Sunday after Epiphany

Although some liturgical traditions observe the Baptism of our Lord on the first Sunday after Epiphany, traditional Books of Common Prayer follow a different custom. From the 1549 Prayer Book through that of 1928, the first Sunday after Epiphany continues St. Luke's account of Christ's childhood. Indeed, although not an official title, we might say that this Sunday is in effect an Anglican feast of the Holy Family. For the life of the Holy Family is central in the Gospel for Epiphany I. 

As we look at this Gospel, we see that Luke stresses that Mary and Joseph were observant Jews who customarily went to Jerusalem for the Passover. And as Jesus approached maturity, He also fulfilled the precepts of the Law by going to Jerusalem for the great feast. Furthermore, He did not merely attend the observance; He delighted in the opportunity to discuss the Law with the great teachers. Of course, in the confusion of the festival, we know that Jesus was left behind, that His parents eventually noticed His absence from their Galilean group, and that they went back to find Him in the Temple. Obviously, they were worried while the young Jesus was content to be about His heavenly Father's business. 

In most families, this might have been a tense reunion. However, the Gospel tone is filled with a gracious and loving spirit from the parents and the child. So it seems that among other things, this simple account teaches us about family ideals. Respect for God's commandments should be the overriding concern for sound family life. And if that piety is sincerely followed, then the glitches that are bound to arise in even the best family can be handled with love and grace. Even as Mary and Joseph took their responsibilities seriously, they recognized that their special son was going to develop spiritual independence. Even as the adolescent Jesus pursued His heavenly Father's business, He respected His earthly parents' authority. May we have the grace to follow the Holy Family's pattern in our troubled society.