Christmas I- Galatians 4: 1-7

On the First Sunday after Christmas, the Epistle from Galatians 4:1-7 might be considered St. Paul's Christmas Gospel because it refers briefly to the circumstances and meaning of Christ's Birth. In the fullness of time or at the appropriate time, God sent His Son into the world so that we might be adopted as spiritual children of God. The Incarnation has many rich meanings and associations. It has cosmic dimensions, and it has real human drama with earthy details. Yet, from the perspective of faith, Paul focuses on the personal application to our lives. The eternal Word, God the Son. took on human flesh in order to redeem human beings from their bondage to sin and death, Jesus Christ becomes one of us so that we might be freed to become sons and daughters of the heavenly Father. This message truly brings us good tidings of great joy.

Advent IV and Christmas Week Readings 2023

 As we conclude Advent this year, the calendar is unusual since Advent IV is also Christmas Eve. That means that there is only one day for reading before the Feast of the Incarnation. So here are two sets of readings for the same day, Advent IV/Christmas Eve. and then readings for Christmas week. May the profound joy of our Lord's coming into this world be with us all!

Psalms and Lessons for MORNING PRAYER (according to the 1945 lectionary in the 1928 BCP)

Days                                                    Psalms     First Lesson           Second Lesson

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT      80          Isaiah 40:1–11                  Luke 3:1–17

Christmas Eve                                   50          Baruch 4:36–5:9               Luke 1:67-80

Christmas Week

CHRISTMAS DAY                             89:1–30     Isaiah 9:2–7                    Luke 2:1–20

ST. STEPHEN                                     118           2 Chron. 24:17–22          Acts 6

ST. JOHN EVANGELIST                   23, 24       Exodus 33:12 -23            John 13:20-26,

HOLY INNOCENTS                          8, 26        Jeremiah 31:1–6, 15–16  Matthew 18:1–14

December 29                                      27             Isa. 56:1–8                     1 John 1

December 30                                      33             Isa. 59:1–3, 15b–21       1 John 2:1–17

December 31                                     147            Isa. 62                            1 John 2:18-29

CIRCUMCISION OF                       

       OUR LORD (Jan. 1)                  103           Deuteronomy 30:1–10  Ephesians 2:11-22

Advent III Readings

 As previously noted, one theme of Advent is a renewal of devotion to and attention to Holy Scripture.  During this Third Week in Advent, Wednesday, Friday. and Saturday are traditional Ember Days of prayer and fasting for the Church's ministry.  With that emphasis in mind, here is a basic list of Scripture readings for each day of the week.

Psalms and Lessons for MORNING PRAYER (according to the 1945 lectionary in the 1928 BCP)

Days                                                   Psalms          First Lesson         Second Lesson

THIRD SUNDAY N ADVENT     85, 107:1–16      Isaiah 35                 1 Thess. 5:12–23

Monday                                         84                       Isa. 29:1–4, 9–14    Mark 5:1–20

Tuesday                                         90                       Isa. 30:8–17            Mark 5:21

Ember Wednesday                        1, 15                   Jeremiah 23:9–15    Luke 12:35–48

Thursday                                       96                       Isa. 32:1–4, 15–20   Mark 6:1–6

Ember Friday                                40:1–16              Jer. 23:23–32            2 Cor. 5:5

Ember Saturday                            42, 43                  Malachi 2:1–9          Matt. 9:35–  10:15

Advent II Readings

As noted last week, one of the great themes of Advent is a renewal of devotion to and attention to Holy Scripture.  This general Advent emphasis on Scripture is even more pronounced on the Second Sunday in Advent, which has sometimes been called Bible Sunday.  With that emphasis in mind, here is a basic list of Scripture readings for each day of the week.

Psalms and Lessons for MORNING PRAYER (according to the 1945 lectionary in the 1928 BCP)

Days                                                   Psalms          First Lesson         Second Lesson

 SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT  119:1–16        Isaiah 55                 2 Timothy 3

Monday                                              33                 Isa. 8:5–8, 11–20    Mark 2:23–3:6

Tuesday                                              48                 Isa. 9:18–10:4         Mark 3:7–19

Wednesday                                         50                 Isa. 11:1–10             Mark 3:20

Thursday                                            62, 63            Isa. 13:1–5, 17–22  Mark 4:1–20

Friday                                                 73                 Isa. 24:16b               Mark 4:21–29

Saturday                                             80                 Isa. 28:1–13             Mark 4:30-41

Advent I Readings

This year the Advent season begins on Sunday. December 3. One of the great themes of Advent is a renewal of devotion to and attention to Holy Scripture. Ideally, every clergyman and many of the laity participate in Daily Morning and Evening Prayer. In fact, even many devoted individuals only have significant devotional time once a day and shorter prayers at other times. With that reality in mind, here is a basic list of Scripture readings for each day of the week.

Psalms and Lessons for MORNING PRAYER (according to the 1945 lectionary in the 1928 BCP)

Days                                           Psalms   First Lesson         Second Lesson

FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT  46, 97     Isaiah 28:14–22  Heb. 12:14

Monday                                        1, 3        Isa. 1:1–9            Mark 1:1–13

Tuesday                                            7        Isa. 1:21–28        Mark 1:14–28

Wednesday                                       9        Isa. 2:6–19          Mark 1:29–39

Thursday                                         10        Isa. 4:2               Mark 1:40

Friday                                              22        Isa. 5:8–29         Mark 2:1–12

Saturday                                    28, 29        Isa. 7:1–9           Mark 2:13–22

Sunday next before Advent/Trinity XXV- John 6: 5-14

In the 1928 American BCP, the last Sunday of the church year is "the Sunday next before Advent." The Collect, the "liturgical Epistle" from Jeremiah , and the Gospel from St. John are those assigned for Trinity XXV in the 1662 Prayer Book. All three contain themes appropriate to anticipate Advent, but let us focus on the Gospel.

The Gospel (John 6:5-14 ) is the story of feeding the 5000. Although this familiar story has several themes or applications, on this Sunday, we notice that it reminds us of the expectations and hopes that Jesus fulfilled. When the people see His miracle with the small loaves and fish, they affirm that He is "that prophet that should come into the world" (St. John 6: 14 ). He is the one who was to come. He is the prophet like Moses predicted in Deuteronomy 18:15,18.  Indeed, Jesus is much greater than Moses. Not only is He divine, but He also establishes a covenant greater than the one established through the work of Moses (Hebrews 8:6). 

Certainly, Christian believers think that Jesus is much more than a prophet, but we still affirm that He is a prophet. In fact, Christian theology has often used prophet as one of the three functions (along with priest and king) that describe the work of Christ. Jesus is the long-expected prophet who is the culmination of  Hebrew prophecy. He completes and finishes God's revelation. He completes the work of redemption that begins with Adam, continues through Noah to Abraham, and is present in the ministry of Moses and subsequent Hebrew prophets. 

In conclusion as we end a Christian year on this Sunday, we look to Jesus Christ, greater than all the prophets. He was and is the One to come, the One greater than even Moses. Everything that precedes and follows Jesus finds its ultimate meaning in Him. 

Trinity XXIV- Colossians 1:9-10

For this Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Trinity, let us focus on some words from the Epistle. The Apostle recognizes the faith and discipleship of the Colossians, and then he adds, "For this cause, we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God..."(Col. 1:9-10).

Coming to faith in Jesus Christ as Savior is at the core of Christianity. It is the great essential in becoming Christian, in accepting God's redeeming work. Anything we accomplish without faith is spiritually worthless. Yet, as important as believing or trusting in Christ is, faith is one aspect of the Christian life. As the Apostle indicates to the Colossians, Christians should keep growing. Many people may recognize this fact and emphasize that living faith produces fruit in good deeds. Again, such a recognition is worthwhile.

However, many Christians ignore Paul's prayers and exhortations that believers should grow in knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. The Apostle does not want the Colossians or us to be like some of those at Corinth who remained "babes in Christ" (I Cor. 3:1). While some believers may always be immature, Scripture and Christian tradition are filled with examples of people from varied stations in life who grow in knowledge and wisdom. Let us pray that we too may continue to grow in our understanding of the Christian faith throughout life!

Trinity XXIII- Citizenship- Philippians 3:20

On the Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity, the Scripture readings emphasize the appropriate attitude of believers to secular authorities. Many passages of Scripture point out the general duty of Christians to be law-abiding whenever they can in good conscience. Even corrupt governments may provide some degree of order and security. However, human authorities do not have ultimate authority; only God does.

In today's Epistle from Philippians, the Apostle Paul reminds Christians where our highest loyalty is. In Philippians 3:20, he writes, "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (BCP/Coverdale, NKJV, ESV). As Christians, we look to heaven and divine rule. We seek to apply our earthly citizenship within the higher context of our heavenly citizenship and our loyalty to our Lord Jesus Christ.    

Trinity XXII

For this week, my attention fell on the Collect for the Day for the Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity. It reads:

LORD, we beseech thee to keep thy household the Church in continual godliness; that through thy protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This collect dates from at least the eighth century if not earlier. It contains basic themes that tie together the assigned Scripture lessons. It views the Church as a household or extended family under the guidance and protection of God the heavenly Father. He is the source of all goodness and godliness, and only through His gracious help can His human children do good.

Trinity XIII- Three Uses of the Law- Galatians 3:16-22

 Both the Epistle from Galatians 3:16-22 and the Gospel from Luke 10:23-37 discuss the divine Law, and both point out some of its purposes and the problems of fulfillment. So let us spend some time considering the Law and its purposes. Before looking at these issues, we begin with a warning based on Scripture. The Law is good and useful, but the Law cannot save us; only God's grace can save us. 

Basically, the divine Law has three purposes. First, the Law shows us God's holy expectations in order to restrain outward sin. Secondly, the Law points out our sins in order to lead us to repentance and faith. Thirdly, the Law functions as a helpful guide to those with Christian faith.

1. The first purpose has sometimes been called Civil Use. The general purpose of the Law among all human beings is the restraint of evil. Human societies and individuals have some sense of right and wrong. In diverse cultures and religions, people see that certain actions such as theft and murder are wrong. Even when groups or individuals excuse their own bad behavior, most human beings acknowledge some provisions of the Law. Wherever higher philosophies or monotheism have been influential, people recognize more of the Law. As many Scriptures indicate, the divine Law is implanted in the natural law of creation. In Romans 1:19-20, we read. "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." The Law, in and of itself, cannot change human hearts. It can, however, help to protect the law-abiding from the unjust. The Law promotes a limited measure of justice on this earth until the last judgment is realized. 

2. The second purpose of the Law can be called the Pedagogical Use. This purpose of the Law works somewhat like a mirror. On the one hand, the Law of God reflects and mirrors the perfect righteousness of God. The Law tells us much about who God is, how He acts, and what He expects. On the other hand, the Law shows human sinfulness. This use of the Law is emphasized in Galatians 3. The Law highlights our weakness as fallen beings so that we might seek the grace, forgiveness, and strength found in Christ. It can be said that the law acts as a severe schoolmaster who drives us to Christ. The Law points us toward the Christian faith.

3. The third purpose of the Law might be called the Normative Use. This purpose of the Law is to remind believers what is pleasing to God. As adopted children of God, the Law provides external guidance as we seek to do the will of our heavenly Father. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). We see this deeper moral and spiritual purpose of the Law in Luke 10 where the Good Samaritan shows mercy to a "neighbor." This spiritual and moral guidance might be considered the highest function of the Law among those who have faith in Christ. It helps the people of God to give Him honor and glory in all areas of life.

In conclusion, Christians still owe obedience to the spiritual and moral Law that God reveals in Scripture. We have been freed from the curse of God’s Law. We know that our obedience to the Law cannot save us, but we still have a duty to obey it. Through divine grace, we are given new opportunities to understand and keep the commandments as expressions of love for God and neighbor.

Trinity X- Luke 19:41-47

The Gospel for the Tenth Sunday after Trinity is from Luke 19:41-47a where our Lord laments the spiritual corruption of Jerusalem and its temple. We should note that the problems of the city and the temple result from false beliefs and values. Both the city and the temple are infected by worldly values. They seek solutions in political and economic activities rather than through faith, morals, and prayer.

As we look at our world, we still see similar problems and similar false solutions. While politics and economics have their uses, they are not the real and ultimate solutions. Like ancient Jerusalem, our deepest needs are for faith in God, real moral standards, and sincere prayer. This is true for individuals, for society, and for the Church. So let us turn from worldly solutions to the religious, moral, and spiritual practices that lead to the true peace that comes from God!

Trinity VIII- False Leaders- Matthew 7:15

The Gospel for the Eighth Sunday after Trinity contains this warning from our Lord: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matthew 7:15). False prophets and other corrupt leaders were a problem for ancient Israel, during Christ's time, and for the Christian Church at many times in history.

Although corruption is an ongoing human problem, corrupt leadership seems even more of an issue in our time. Such corruption is particularly disheartening when it becomes obvious among leaders who pretend to be Christians of one kind or another. Some corrupt leaders are secular officials, and even sadder, there are many corrupt ministers and church officials who do not seem to have a minimal appreciation of the doctrines and morals found in Holy Scripture. There are many bishops, priests, and pastors from varied backgrounds who are really wolves that mislead and devour Christ's flock.

Thus, we must beware, but we must not despair. Jesus Christ is still our great and good shepherd who watches over us from heaven and assists us with His Word and the Holy Spirit. And although corrupt leaders do cause much damage, they do not endure forever. God limits the rule of evil, and He continues to raise up good leaders among the faithful remnant of His people. So let us persevere in faith and in hope!

Trinity VII- Feeding the Four Thousand- Mark 8:1-9

Food and eating are common themes in human life and in Holy Scripture. The Gospel for this Seventh Sunday after Trinity is the miracle of Jesus Feeding the Four Thousand from Mark 8:1-9. This account may seem more familiar than it really is because a similar Feeding of the 5000 occurs in all four Gospels. So let us highlight a few details in this account. 

As is the case in many New Testament miracles, we see that our Lord is moved with compassion. Besides having a general concern for human need, Jesus cares for particular people in particular circumstances. The  people in this account have shown interest in Christ's spiritual message and have come out into an unsettled area to hear the Gospel. Any food they brought is gone, and Christ is concerned that they return home safely.

We should also note the location. It happens in the Decapolis, a predominately Gentile region beyond the Sea of Galilee. So the crowd that listens to Jesus is probably a mixture of Jews and Gentiles. While Jesus’ earthly ministry focused on the Jews, this is one of several examples where He also ministers to Gentiles.

In addition to these details, let us highlight two points. Point 1) - This physical miracle has spiritual and symbolic importance. The meal Jesus provides points toward the Messianic kingdom of God. People from various places and backgrounds come together, grow in faith, and are fed by God and His Christ. They are fed from seven loaves, and there are seven baskets of food remaining. Seven is a biblical number representing fullness or completeness. This means that Jesus the Messiah brings fulfillment or completion. Those who follow Him may not always have lavish feasting, but they do receive good, satisfying, and strengthening nourishment.

Point 2) – The miracle of Feeding 4000 teaches us what Jesus Christ continues to do for people from all sorts of backgrounds. He provides us bread from heaven. He Himself is the very bread of life. He provides us the bread that nourishes, strengthens, and satisfies our souls. He meets our deepest needs as spiritual and moral beings. He feeds us through Word and Sacrament. Whenever we are open to His Word in Scripture and His Presence in the Eucharist, He offers us forgiveness, grace, and renewed strength to follow Him. Thanks be to God for His Son Jesus Christ, the living bread from heaven!

Trinity IV- Luke 6:36-42

The Prayer Book lessons for the Fourth Sunday after Trinity are especially strong and rich passages. In the Epistle from Romans 8:18-23, the Apostle Paul contrasts the sufferings of this present world with the glory that will be made manifest. He encourages believers to continue in hope as they look toward final redemption. Christians always need to hear this message, especially during difficult times.

In the Gospel from Luke 6:36-42, we have a portion of Jesus' Sermon on the Plain which is similar to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. The basic theme in this selection is being merciful toward others as we hope for God to be merciful toward us. In this context, our Lord tells us not to judge others. This command does not mean that we cannot evaluate people and events in practical ways. Practical judgments are necessary for physical and spiritual survival and growth. However, we must beware of the limits of our practical human judgments and evaluations. We are not God. We do not know all the factors in other people's lives, and even when we have good information, we have our own biases and prejudices. So we must remain humble and seek divine mercy for ourselves and others. We must never assume that our practical human opinions about other people are valid reflections of their standing before God!

Trinity III- Resisting the Adversary- I Peter 5: 5-11

The Epistle for the Third Sunday after Trinity is a famous and striking passage from 1 St. Peter 5:5-11. This short selection from near the end of the letter contains important themes such as grace, humility, faith, confidence, perseverance, suffering, and temptation. In particular, let us notice 1 Peter 5:8-9, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist stedfast in the faith...."

As Christians seek to grow in grace, we should always be aware that we do not merely struggle against natural conditions or only against our personal weaknesses. We are involved in the cosmic struggle between God and evil. We know that God in Christ has triumphed and will return in final victory. In the meantime, earthly struggles continue, and by divine grace, we must resist evil through faith in our Savior Jesus Christ. He is our only real hope and strength in a fallen world and a corrupt age!