Easter IV- James 1:18; John 16:13-14

The traditional Epistle and Gospel for this Fourth Sunday after Easter are distinctive texts that may seem to be about different topics. James 1 has some very practical everyday advice for faithful living. John 16 contains high theological thoughts about Christ's departure and the coming of the Comforter, the Holy Ghost. Yet, there is a theme in common in these two passages. That theme is "the truth."  

In James 1:18, we are told that as believers, God has begotten "us with the word of truth." In John 16:13-14, Jesus says, "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you."

What is the truth referred to in our readings? It applies to several things. First, the truth is the Bible, God's inspired written document. Secondly, the truth is also a person; it is Jesus Christ, God the Son, the eternal Word made flesh. Thirdly, for us, the truth is the Gospel of salvation through faith in our crucified and risen Lord. The Gospel message is the greatest truth of the universe, and as James 1:21 indicates, when received in humble faith, "the engrafted word" is able to save our souls! Thanks be to God for His living and life-giving truth! Alleluia!

Christmas II- Matthew 2: 19-23

This year, there is a Second Sunday after Christmas, a Sunday that does not occur every year and lacks a notable liturgical identity. Many service books, including some Books of Common Prayer, do not provide propers for the day, but the 1928 BCP does contain a collect and lessons. The Gospel from Matthew 2:19-23 refers to the sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt and their return to the Holy Land, to Nazareth. 

It has been observed that here we see the Holy Family, and the Christ Child in particular, reliving the history of Israel. In re-reading this account, I was struck by the association of the names of the Holy Family with the Exodus. Saint Joseph bears the name of the patriarch who provided for the survival of Israel. The Virgin Mary's name is derived from the name of Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, a prophetess. And of course, the name Jesus is a version of Joshua, the assistant and successor of Moses. His name means "the Lord saves."

So, the journey of the Holy Family and their names allude to a great new divine act of redemption. Christ's Birth, early life, ministry, death, and resurrection are parts of the same story. The Lord God saved and freed His people in Egypt, during the Exodus, and in their return to the Promised Land.  Through Jesus, who is the Christ, God is doing something that is both similar and much greater. The Incarnation is rooted in Israel's past, but it transcends that past. Jesus is the one who embodies eternal salvation. The true joy of Christmas is based on God's redemptive work in Jesus!

Christmas 2025

The Christian tradition is marked by two great periods based on events in the life of Jesus. The central commemorations are related to the redemptive acts at Holy Week and Easter; the second period centers on Christmas. Christmas and Holy Week/Easter Sunday bring the same Gospel message in different ways.

The church calendar associates many meaningful and beautiful passages of Scripture with the birth of Jesus, the eternal Son of God, who came to earth as a human infant. There are numerous Old Testament prophecies from Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others. There are epistle readings such as Hebrews 1, Titus 2, and Galatians 4. And of course, there are the Gospel accounts from Matthew, Luke, and John. Each of these Gospels has its own beauty and deep significance. One can say that Matthew 1& 2 focus on Joseph's perspective, that Luke 1& 2 reflect the point of view of the Virgin Mary, and that John 1 emphasizes the timeless theological meaning. 

All these Scriptures complement one another and provide believers with a broad vista for meditating on the meaning of Christ's Birth. They help us move beyond the beautiful but simplistic imagery of a childhood pageant, and they provide deep nourishment for heart, mind, and soul. They teach us the truth that Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, "came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man" for us and for our salvation (Nicene Creed). In other words, Scripture teaches us that Christmas is about more than a family festival or the birth of a great man; it is about our eternal salvation. That spiritual reality is where we need to put our emphasis, not merely for a few moments on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, but for twelve days and more!

Alleluia. Unto us a child is born; * O come, let us adore him. Alleluia. (Christmas Antiphon for Morning Prayer, 1928 Book of Common Prayer.)

Circumcision of Christ- January 1- Luke 2:21

 Of course, the first day of January is the secular New Year, and we pray for God’s blessings during the year. However, because of worldly and pagan associations, Christian churches have often avoided giving much attention to the secular new year. So January 1 has other associations on the church calendar. One important association of January 1 is the event mentioned in the Prayer Book Gospel for the day, That event is the circumcision and public naming of the Christ Child when He was a week old.

Luke 2:21, points to this event. “And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb."  The first part of the event is Christ's circumcision. The holy Child is a real Jewish boy whose pious parents make sure that He becomes part of the covenant people. He who is above the Law becomes subject to the Law to save human beings. He fulfills the Law perfectly and embodies the Gospel.

The second part of the event is the public naming of the Child. The Gospels stress that Christ’s name is no accident. In Matthew 1:21, the angel tells Joseph, " And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins."  The name Jesus comes from Hebrew and Aramaic names that mean "the LORD will save." The name Jesus reflects Christ's identity and purpose. It reveals His mission in the world. He is the Lord God who comes among us in the flesh. His name reflects Isaiah's prophecy that He is Immanuel, “God with us.” He is the one who saves.

So on January 1, we give thanks that Jesus Christ obeys and fulfills God’s Law for our sake. His circumcision and naming mark Him as the One who has come to fulfill the covenant promises in a perfect way. He was and is the Lord who saves!

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!

The Circumcision and the Name of Jesus- 1 January- Luke 2:21; Philippians 2:9

The first of January has been associated with several liturgical observances in the history of the Church. From at least the 800's, the Roman rite commemorated Christ's Circumcision on this eighth day of Christmas. Books of Common Prayer from 1549 through 1928 in the US and 1962 in Canada continued this emphasis. Stressing Christ's circumcision fits in with the reality of the Incarnation. Jesus of Nazareth, God the Son, was a real Jewish male. He humbled Himself, continued the covenant with Abraham, Moses and David, and came to fulfill all righteousness. 

Another emphasis on this day is the name of Jesus. Some recent Anglican calendars have made this the title of the feast, but one also finds an emphasis on the name in the traditional Epistle and Gospel.  In the Epistle from Philippians 2:9, we read, "God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow..." In St. Luke 2:21 , we read that at the circumcision the child "was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb."  Of course, Jesus (Greek IESOU, Aramaic YESHUA) was a common Jewish name, meaning "The LORD saves." In the case of this holy child, the common name takes on special significance. This child born in Bethlehem is the Lord Himself come to save His people. And Christ's work in the heavenly Father's plan for human salvation is what gives Him a name above every name. What better way for us to begin the New Year than by praising His holy name and giving thanks for the salvation that has come in the Christ Child!

Christmas 2021- Luke 2: 10-11

In St. Luke 2:10-11 we read, "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

These words of Scripture tell us what we celebrate. Christmas is more than a nostalgic winter festival; it is the proclamation of "good tidings of great joy," that is, the Feast of the Nativity preaches the Christian Gospel. It is the message of God the Son coming into the world to save sinful human beings. If we miss that point, the holiday has no real meaning. So let us acknowledge our need for this Savior, and let us confess our faith in the Christ who has come among us so humbly! Glory be to God on high!

Christmas- Luke 2: 12

Christmas can be so beautiful and meaningful. There are so many things that can be said about this feast. This time, I would simply focus on the humility of the glorious event.

St. Luke 2 stresses the humility of Christ's Birth, The holy family goes to Bethlehem because of the requirements of the Roman oppressor. In the crowded village, Joseph does not have the power or wealth to insure better lodgings; so they end up in a stable where Mary gives birth. In St. Luke 2:12, the angel tells the lowly shepherds, “And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”  

The Birth of the Savior is not first announced to the powerful, rich, or learned. It is announced to humble shepherds on the outer edges of society. And this unique infant will not be found in an impressive palace or temple. His glory is worthy of heavenly messengers, but it will not be obvious to the world. Instead, He is clothed like an average Jewish peasant baby, wrapped in strips of cloth. And His bed is even more lowly than average. The only bed offered Him is a manger- a rough trough for cattle.

In other words, the shepherds are to recognize their King and Savior by His lowliness rather than by His worldly greatness. The glorious child has finally come, and this is truly good news. Yet, the irony of the heavenly message is that simple shepherds will be the first to pay homage to the new-born King, and they will recognize Him by His humility.

Christmas continues to bring us a similar message. The Savior that we all need still comes through simple means- through the Word and the Sacraments.  His coming is good news; Christmas does bring tidings of great joy. However, this joy is not to be confused with external worldly merriment. Whether we have a great external celebration with lots of people, gifts, and food or (more likely in 2020) we just have a simple and small observance, the key is for us to focus upon what God does- how He sends His Son, the eternal Word, to humble Himself, become flesh and dwell among us. Glory to God in the highest!

Sixth Sunday in Lent-Palm Sunday

Of course, in the popular mind, this is Palm Sunday. People like to recall this moment of external triumph. Jesus rides into Jerusalem to fulfill a prophecy from Zechariah 9. By coming to King David’s city on a donkey, Jesus is making a Messianic claim. He is coming in humility and peace to begin His rule. And despite their confused ideas about the nature of Christ, many praise Him. Jesus is the Christ and receives the praise that He deserves. Like the ancient crowd, we tend to get caught up in the enthusiasm of the moment.

Unfortunately, many people who praised Jesus that day did not really understand Him. They did not sense what sort of king He was. So by the end of the week, many who praised Jesus turned on Him. Some would go from shouting “hosanna” to shouting “crucify him.” Even His closest disciples would flee in confusion and fear.

On that first Palm Sunday, Jesus was asking for spiritual and moral commitment, but the crowds were looking for other things. They were blinded by their physical, material, and worldly aspirations. Jesus Christ came to redeem people from their sins. He came to offer His life to deliver them from the power of evil. He came to conquer death, to rise again, to establish the kingdom of heaven, and to offer eternal life in God’s presence.

But most people, even would-be disciples, misunderstood. They were looking for Him to bring them temporal or worldly blessings. They mainly wanted things such as wealth, power, free food, healing, health, material comfort, external happiness, etc. And when they started to realize that He wasn’t that kind of king, their responses to Him started to change.

Many were confused or disappointed. And some were downright fickle and mean. They turned hostile. When He didn’t live up to their mistaken worldly ideals, they rejected Him and falsely accused Him.

Modern people, even many who say that they are Christians, are much like those first-century crowds. Many human beings continue to have poor understandings of redemption. We still look for false messiahs. We still misunderstand what kind of Messiah, what kind of king, Jesus is. We still try to make Him fit our personal preferences.

People still tend to focus on the material, physical and worldly aspects of Christ’s divine kingship. Yes, He knows that we are body and soul, and He cares about all aspects of human life. He asks His followers to care as well. He wants us to live in general safety and health with reasonable food, shelter, medical care, rest, and so on. But such matters are not His primary or ultimate concern for human beings. He is not a worldly king. He does not preach some sort of distorted prosperity or social gospel.

Instead, Christ’s main concerns are spiritual. He does care for our earthly lives, but He focuses more on our spiritual and eternal lives. He knows that there will always be earthly problems. He sees that there will always be crosses to bear in this world. And He wants people to respond to those crosses in ways that lead to resurrection and eternal life spent with Him, His heavenly Father, and the Holy Spirit.

Our priorities should be spiritual and moral. Beginning with faith in Jesus as the Savior of our eternal souls, we respond in love- for God and for our neighbors. Many things can be included in these faithful responses. We do good deeds to the extent that we are physically and materially able. We support the church and charitable institutions. We study Scripture. But above all we love God, and we express that love spiritually in worship and in prayer.

Our love of God is also expressed by love for our neighbors, and not just in generally polite words or kind actions. We also love our neighbors by pointing them to Jesus Christ who alone can give their lives the deepest meaning and save their souls.

So during this Holy Week, let us seek to appreciate the kind of king that Jesus really is. Jesus Christ is a spiritual king who comes in humility and peace to establish His rule in our hearts, minds, and souls. He is a king who asks us to keep following Him even when the hymns of praise fade. He is a king who asks for our loyalty as He and we walk the way of the cross.

Jesus Christ certainly deserves our praise, our “hosannas.” He deserves praise more than anyone else. But the praise He wants is not just for the big events and celebrations. He wants our praise and our loyalty even on ordinary dull days. And He even asks for our praise and our loyalty on days, like Good Friday, when the honor and cheers of the crowd turn into rejection and jeers.

Palm Sunday has a dual aspect. It is a somber reminder of human blindness, disloyalty, and evil. It is also a joyful reminder that Jesus Christ is a spiritual king whose love, grace, and glory transcend human frailty. Even in the midst of suffering and death, even in a pandemic, the love and the grace of Christ Jesus continue undefeated. He triumphs through His cross and through all our little crosses.

To Him, with the Father and Holy Spirit, be all praise now and evermore! Amen.