The Transfiguration of Christ- 6 August- Luke 9:35

The feast of the Transfiguration is based on an occurrence in the Gospels (Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-10, Luke  9:28-36). This event is a striking manifestation of Jesus' divinity. Our Lord takes Peter, John, and James up onto a mountain where He has a shining appearance as He prays. Moses and Elijah appear and converse with Jesus, and a heavenly voice proclaims, "This is my beloved Son; hear him" (Luke 9:35).

Despite its clear biblical basis, this commemoration has not always been emphasized. The Latin Church did not begin to observe the Transfiguration as a universal feast on August 6 until 1457. In liturgical simplifications during the Reformation, the Feast of the Transfiguration was removed from many calendars, including the calendar of the 1549 Book of Common Prayer. It was restored as a minor commemoration or "black-letter day" on the Elizabethan calendar of 1561. The celebration was finally provided with "propers" as a feast of our Lord in the 1928 American BCP. (Some recent Anglican calendars have adopted the Lutheran custom of observing the Transfiguration on the Last Sunday after the Epiphany.)

Although often overlooked, the Transfiguration of Christ is a significant Christian observance. It illustrates the continuity between Christ's Gospel and the Law and the Prophets. Furthermore, it indicates that Christ's authority remains after Moses and Elijah have faded from view. It manifests our Lord's great inner glory and approval by God the Father. It is also a reminder that the Son of Man must suffer before His glory is more fully revealed (Matthew 17:12).

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- 6 January- Matthew 2

 Epiphany on January 6 is probably the oldest Christian feast besides Easter and Pentecost. In the early Greek-speaking Church, the day was about several of Christ's manifestations- His birth, His Baptism, and the beginning of His public ministry. Later, especially in the Latin churches, the day of Epiphany itself became associated with the coming of the Magi. In modern times, although Epiphany remains on church calendars, it is often neglected. For many Christians, even many Anglicans, it is anticipated, postponed, or ignored. In many cases, all that remains of the traditional observance may be wise men in a pre-Christmas children's December pageant, a carol, or a reading from Matthew 2 in a service of lessons.

However, Epiphany deserves our attention because it embodies significant Christian themes. The Wise Men or Magi represent the coming of the Gentiles or nations to Christ. Their natural human search for wisdom led them to respond to God's sign in nature and follow the star. Yet, before they could complete their journey, they also needed the guidance of Holy Scripture. Finally, they came to the Holy Child, and they did what every person should do. They fell down in adoration or worship, and they offered Him precious gifts.

At Epiphany, let us still seek Christ and follow the guidance of Scripture. Let us worship Him and offer Him our best gifts. Now that the worldly Yule and New Year have passed, Epiphany is an opportunity for Christians to pursue quieter and deeper devotion. So let us reflect on the coming of our Savior to save all nations!

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 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. 

Epiphany- 6 January- Matthew 2

This day, 6 January, marks the traditional Feast of Epiphany. This celebration is the third oldest Christian observance after the three days from Good Frida to Easter and Pentecost.  The word Epiphany means "manifestation," and the feast and its season remind us of the various ways that God manifested Himself in Jesus Christ. In the Eastern Churches, where the feast originated in the third century, the emphasis has centered on the manifestation at the time of Christ's Baptism. Since the fourth century in the Western Churches, including the Anglican tradition, the emphasis has been on the manifestation of the Christ Child to the Magi or Wise Men.  

The Magi were Gentiles (non-Jews), and so this day and the following season are associated with the Christian mission to all the nations. God called the eastern Wise Men to come and adore the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Likewise, God calls each of us, regardless of our nation, ethnic group, language, etc., to come, worship, and follow Christ the newborn King. As Christmastide closes, let us continue to focus on the manifestation of the Incarnate Word in Jesus Christ. The light of God has shone in the Christ Child. We still seek His light, and we hope that His light will shine in our lives on those around us.

The Transfiguration of Christ- 6 August- Luke 9:28-36

The feast of the Transfiguration is based on a mysterious event from the Gospels (Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-10, Luke  9:28-36). This event provides one of the most distinctive and dramatic manifestations of Jesus' divinity. In the synoptic Gospels, our Lord takes Peter, John, and James up onto a mountain where He has a shining appearance during prayer. Moses and Elijah appear and converse with Jesus, and a divine voice proclaims, "This is my beloved Son; hear him" (Luke 9:35).

Despite its clear biblical basis, this commemoration has not always received very much emphasis. It was only a few years before the Reformation that the Latin church began to observe the Transfiguration as a universal feast on August 6. In liturgical simplifications after the Reformation, the Feast of the Transfiguration was removed from many calendars, including the calendar of the 1549 Book of Common Prayer. It was restored but only as a minor commemoration or "black-letter day" in the 1662 BCP. The celebration was restored more fully and provided with "propers" as a feast of our Lord in the 1928 BCP. Some recent Anglican calendars have adopted the Lutheran custom of observing the Transfiguration on the Last Sunday after the Epiphany. 

The Transfiguration of Christ is significant whenever we observe it. It shows that Christ's Gospel continues the Law and the Prophets. It illustrates that Christ's authority remains after Moses and Elijah have faded from view. It manifests our Lord's great inner glory and approval by God the Father. It is also a reminder that the Son of Man must suffer before His glory is more fully revealed (Matthew 17:12).

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!

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 - 6 January- Matthew 2

The Feast of Epiphany on 6 January is one of the oldest Christian observances, and yet in our time even among practicing Christians, it is often a neglected commemoration. The word "epiphany" means "manifestation," and the feast and its season remind us of the various ways that God manifested Himself in Jesus Christ. In the Eastern Churches, where the feast originated, the emphasis has been on the manifestation at Christ's Baptism. The Western Churches (including the Anglican tradition) have focused on the manifestation of the Christ Child to the Gentile Magi or Wise Men (Matthew 2:1-11).

As Christmastide comes to a conclusion, let us continue to focus on the manifestation of the Incarnate Word in the Christ Child. The Magi remind us that the light of God has shone in Jesus Christ for all peoples. Like the Wise Men, most of us are Gentiles drawn to His holy light. So let us take time to rejoice in that light, and let us also seek to let His light shine forth in our lives!

The Transfiguration- 6 - Luke 9:28-36

The Feast of the Transfiguration is an ancient celebration based on Scripture. The event began to be observed in the Eastern churches in the fourth century, but it did not spread quickly among Western churches (including Anglicans).  Shortly before the Reformation, the Latin church began to observe it as a universal feast on August 6. In liturgical simplifications after the Reformation, the Feast of the Transfiguration was removed from many calendars including the 1549 Book of Common Prayer. It was restored as a minor commemoration or "black-letter day" in the 1662 BCP, and the 1928 BCP provided this feast of our Lord with a collect, epistle and gospel.

The Feast of the Transfiguration commemorates a mysterious epiphany in the Gospels (Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-10, Luke  9:28-36). In these accounts, the Transfiguration of Christ is a distinctive and dramatic manifestation of Jesus' divinity. Jesus takes Peter, John and James up onto a mountain where He has a shining appearance during prayer. Moses and Elijah appear, converse with Jesus, and witness to His unique role. Then a divine voice proclaims, "This is my beloved Son; hear him" (Luke 9:35). May we also behold His glory and listen to Him!

Epiphany- 6 January- Isaiah 49:6

The feast and season of Epiphany begin with the first Evening Prayer near sundown on January 5 ("Twelfth Night"). The name Epiphany is derived from a Greek word meaning “appearance” or “manifestation.” Apart from Good Friday-Easter and Pentecost. Epiphany is the oldest yearly Christian observance. It is certainly older than Christmas Day, and it was the first day widely used to celebrate Christ’s Birth. In Eastern churches of the 3rd and 4th centuries, Epiphany seems to have been associated with all the events surrounding Christ’s beginnings. These events included Jesus’s Birth, the coming of the Wise Men, the presentation of the Infant in the Temple, the Finding of the youth Jesus in the Temple, and Jesus’ Baptism in the Jordan. As the church calendar developed, these events were commemorated on separate occasions. In the Latin-speaking Church, January 6 became associated with the Gentile Wise Men (Matthew 2) and Christ’s mission to the nations.

The theme of Epiphany can be summarized by the divine prophecy in Isaiah 49:6b, " I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth." Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, is the light of God's truth and love shining into a sin darkened world. This light shines on the faithful of Israel and spreads to all nations. May His light illuminate our hearts, minds and souls and shine before those around us!

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!

Third Sunday after Epiphany

The 1928 Book of Common Prayer shifted the traditional Gospel (St. John 2:1ff) from the Second Sunday after Epiphany to this Sunday. Since in this particular year the Prayer Book season of Epiphany is ending this week, the themes of this Gospel have a heightened significance in our meditations. The account of the Wedding at Cana is sometimes familiar because of its mention in the Form of Solemnization of Matrimony. Certainly, we can take this event as one indication, among others, of our Lord's honor for traditional marriage. In addition, the story points to Jesus as 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- and indeed not just any wine but the best wine. All of these themes point to the conclusion in St. John 2:11- "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory, and his disciples believed on him." 

Like other Epiphany readings, this Gospel has the theme of manifestation or epiphany. Even as a wedding guest, Jesus shows forth divine glory. The miracle is a sign; it leads His disciples to believe. They certainly do not understand everything, but they do have faith in Him. All of God's works of creation, redemption, and sanctification can be signs for us. One of their great purposes is to lead us to believe in Christ Jesus. And in faith, this week, we can end the season of Epiphany saying the antiphon that we started with: "The Lord hath manifested forth his glory; O come, let us adore him."