Musings for Epiphany 3

Sunday, January 24, 2010
Third Sunday after Epiphany / Lectionary 3
Musings by Karen Grover

INTRODUCTION
The glory of the Lord is revealed in the reading of scripture. People stand at attention. People weep. People prostrate themselves in prayer. The unity of the church is another reflection of the glory of God. Most gloriously, the promises of God are fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Gather round. Listen up. Glimpse the glory of God.

Prayer of the Day (ELW)
Blessed Lord God, you have caused the holy scriptures to be written for the nourishment of your people. Grant that we may hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that, comforted by your promises, we may embrace and forever hold fast to the hope of eternal life, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

First Reading Nehemiah 8:1–3, 5–6, 8–10
The exiles have returned and rebuilt Jerusalem. Now Ezra, the priest, reads the law of Moses to them in the public square. When they hear it, they weep for their sins and for the long years in exile, but Ezra reminds them that the joy of the Lord is their strength.

all the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had given to Israel. 2Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. 3He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. 5And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 8So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
9And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. 10Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our LORD; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Psalm (ELW) Psalm 19
The teaching of the LORD revives the soul. (Ps. 19:7)
1The heavens declare the glo- | ry of God,
and the sky proclaims its | maker's handiwork.
2One day tells its tale | to another,
and one night imparts knowledge | to another.
3Although they have no | words or language,
and their voices | are not heard,
4their sound has gone out into all lands, and their message to the ends | of the world,
where God has pitched a tent | for the sun.
5It comes forth like a bridegroom out | of his chamber;
it rejoices like a champion to | run its course.
6It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens and runs about to the end of | it again;
nothing is hidden from its | burning heat.
7The teaching of the LORD is perfect and re- | vives the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure and gives wisdom | to the simple.
8The statutes of the LORD are just and re- | joice the heart;
he commandment of the LORD is clear and gives light | to the eyes.
9The fear of the LORD is clean and en- | dures forever;
the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous | altogether.
10More to be desired are they than gold, more than | much fine gold,
sweeter far than honey, than honey | in the comb.
11By them also is your ser- | vant enlightened,
and in keeping them there is | great reward.
12Who can detect one's | own offenses?
Cleanse me from my | secret faults.
13Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not get dominion | over me;
then shall I be whole and sound, and innocent of a | great offense.
14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable | in your sight,
O LORD, my strength and | my redeemer.

Second Reading 1 Corinthians 12:12–31a
The apostle and pastor Paul uses the metaphor of the human body to describe how intimately connected we are in the church. For this struggling congregation in Corinth, Paul delivers a vital message of unity that is a mark of the church today.

12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
14Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15If the foot would say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16And if the ear would say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many members, yet one body. 21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." 22On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; 24whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, 25that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. 26If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
27Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31But strive for the greater gifts.

Gospel Luke 4:14–21
Near the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, he visits his hometown of Nazareth. In the words of Isaiah, he states and claims his identity, purpose, and mission.

14Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
16When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
18"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
20And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

REFLECTION:
In verse 14 we are told that Jesus is filled with the power of the Spirit when he returned to Galilee. I particularly keyed into this because I was a part of a group of people who got together this past Thursday (we are all invited to explore this) to talk about what does it mean to be spiritual--what exactly is "spirituality," as related to our being spiritual beings. There were five of us discussing this subject, and, of course, we all had five or more different thoughts, questions, feelings, etc. on when it means to be a spiritual being. This gospel says that Jesus is "filled with the power of the Spirit" and that he was "praised by everyone." Everyone must have felt the Holy Spirit in him as he was teaching in the synagogues because they all praised him. He truly engaged with the audience--the poor. Does that mean the poor in spirit or in finances? As my heart and mind have been in Haiti of late, I couldn't help but think about how much they--the poor--are suffering right now. But yet their spirits are lifted to the positive--those who have survived in even the worst situations sing praises to the Lord for their being alive. They are empowered by their mere survival in what seems to be God's graces to rejoice for their good fortunes. They are filled with the Spirit. We are called to be filled with that Spirit--to reach out to those who are in need and to fulfill those needs. This is Jesus' Mission Statement in modern terms. The Spirit of the Lord has directed Him to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives, to bring sight to the blind, and to let the oppressed go free. That is one ambitious Mission Statement. But Jesus reads it with assurance and proclamation! The people to whom he refers are in great need. He speaks to us with assurance that those needs will be met--"today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." As "spiritual beings," we can all reach out to those in need--most especially right now to the people of Haiti, but moreover those who are in prison, in the grips of addiction, the abused and their abusers--all who are oppressed and cannot free themselves.

LET US PRAY FOR:

• delivery of the necessary food and supplies to the suffering in Haiti
• the many in Haiti who have been pulled to safety that they receive treatment
• those who have given of their time and livlihood to assist in Haiti
• the imprisoned and the released who have no hope
• the Spirit to move us to reach out to those in need
• all children of God
• those who provide care at the Crisis Nursery of Greater Rochester

QUOTE:
Every passing day is one that is gone forever. Make sure it is one in which you have done something for others, especially those who cannot do for themselves.

Second Sunday After Epiphany

Sunday, January 17, 2010
Second Sunday after Epiphany / Lectionary 2
Midweek Musings
Reflection by Pastor Macholz

INTRODUCTION
The Sundays after Epiphany continue to celebrate the revelation of the glory of God to us as it was made known to the magi and to those on Jordan's banks at the baptism of Jesus—today using wedding imagery. Our God rejoices over God's people "as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride." By the power of the Spirit there are gifts galore for everyone. In Christ Jesus the best wine is saved for last. Taste and see.

Antony of Egypt, renewer of the church, died around 356
One of the earliest of the Egyptian desert fathers, Antony gave away his sizeable inheritance and became a hermit. Later he became leader of a group of monks who devoted themselves to prayer, worship, and labor.

Pachomius, renewer of the church, died 346
Born in Egypt, Pachomius became a Christian while a soldier. He became a hermit (a solitary monk) and organized others into a religious community. His rule for monasteries influenced later ones in both the Eastern and Western churches.

Prayer of the Day (ELW)
Lord God, source of every blessing,
you showed forth your glory
and led many to faith by the works of your Son,
who brought gladness and salvation to his people.
Transform us by the Spirit of his love,
that we may find our life together in him,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

First Reading Isaiah 62:1–5
The people's return to Judah after the exile was marred by economic and political troubles. Nevertheless, the prophet declares, Jerusalem and Judah will be restored. God will rejoice over Jerusalem as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride; and the people are called to the celebration.

For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out like the dawn,
and her salvation like a burning torch.
2The nations shall see your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will give.
3You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate;
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,
and your land Married;
for the LORD delights in you,
and your land shall be married.
5For as a young man marries a young woman,
so shall your builder marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so shall your God rejoice over you.


Psalm (ELW) Psalm 36:5–10
We feast upon the abundance of your house, O LORD. (Ps. 36:8)
5Your love, O LORD, reaches | to the heavens,
and your faithfulness | to the clouds.
6Your righteousness is like the strong mountains, your justice like | the great deep;
you save humankind and ani- | mals, O LORD.
7How priceless is your | love, O God!
All people take refuge under the shadow | of your wings.
8They feast upon the abundance | of your house;
you give them drink from the river of | your delights.
9For with you is the | well of life,
and in your light | we see light.
10Continue your lovingkindness to | those who know you,
and your favor to those who are | true of heart.


Second Reading 1 Corinthians 12:1–11
The congregation at Corinth experienced division as people were comparing one another's spiritual gifts, thinking some to be superior to others. Paul invites this fractured community to trust that God's Holy Spirit has gifted them all perfectly for their mission together.

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. 3Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says "Let Jesus be cursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
Gospel John 2:1–11
Turning water to wine at the wedding at Cana is described as the first of Jesus' signs. Through many such epiphanies, Jesus reveals that he bears God's creative power and joyful presence into the world.

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." 4And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come." 5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 6Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. 8He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward." So they took it. 9When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now." 11Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Reflection

What is you spiritual gift? No, let me rephrase that, what are your spiritual gifts? One of the things rostered leaders in the ELCA are encouraged to fill out are Mobility Papers, have them ready and keep them updated. I have yet to meet a pastor who does this with glee and joy but it is a necessary part of the task. These papers are shared with the Bishop of the synod and a congregation that may be interested in considering a pastor for a call. A portion of them requires one to fill out what one believes to be their strengths or strong points. It’s hard to do, isn’t it?

When is the last time you took a Spiritual Gifts Assessment to take a look at what God has gifted you with, I bet it’s been a while if ever. It’s something I’m thinking of doing with the Board of Ministries when we go on retreat at the end of January for planning for the coming year.

The assessment helps one discern more clearly where one’s gifts lie, often times hidden and/or indiscernible. Spiritual gifts are gifts from God, the Spirit gives them to everyone, make no mistake about it. You have some, do you know what they are?

I invite you to consider what yours might be. This will be part of our Stewardship focus this year, discovering what they are and how we can better use them. Prayerfully consider yours, you might be surprised!

Let us Pray
For openness to better understand one another, whether friend or enemy
For an end to the bitter partisanship among our elected officials
That we might show forth Jesus light and love this day in some fashion
For the incoming members of the Board of Ministries, that they might be blessed and a blessing
To end war everywhere

Quote
We know there is some connection between prayer and silence, but if we think about silence in our lives, it seems that it isn’t always peaceful-silence can also be frightening. Henri Nouwen

Baptism of Our Lord

Sunday, January 10, 2010
Baptism of Our Lord

Midweek Musings

Reflection by Ken Klassen

INTRODUCTION
The Baptism of Our Lord cannot help but recall our own and all baptismal blessings. We recall and celebrate our adoption as daughters and sons, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the promised company of almighty God when we "pass through the waters ... the rivers ... fire." On this day the heavens open again, for this assembly, and we receive the gift of the beloved Son of God in bread and wine

Prayer of the Day (ELW)

Almighty God, you anointed Jesus at his baptism with the Holy Spirit and revealed him as your beloved Son. Keep all who are born of water and the Spirit faithful in your service, that we may rejoice to be called children of God, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

First Reading

Isaiah 43:1–7

Near the end of Israel's exile in Babylon, God promises to bring them home. They need no longer be afraid, because the one who formed, created, and called them by name now redeems them from all their enemies. God declares them precious and honored, and God loves them.

But now thus says the LORD,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
²When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
³For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.
⁴Because you are precious in my sight,
and honored, and I love you,
I give people in return for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
⁵Do not fear, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
and from the west I will gather you;
⁶I will say to the north, "Give them up,"
and to the south, "Do not withhold;
bring my sons from far away
and my daughters from the end of the earth —
⁷everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made."

Psalm (ELW)

Psalm 29

The voice of the LORD is upon the waters. (Ps. 29:3)

¹Ascribe to the ^| LORD, you gods,

ascribe to the LORD glo- ^| ry and strength.

²Ascribe to the LORD the glory ^| due God's name;

worship the LORD in the beau- ^| ty of holiness.

³The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of ^| glory thunders;

the LORD is upon the ^| mighty waters.

⁴The voice of the LORD is a pow- ^| erful voice;

the voice of the LORD is a ^| voice of splendor.

⁵The voice of the LORD breaks the ^| cedar trees;

the LORD breaks the ce- ^| dars of Lebanon;

⁶the LORD makes Lebanon skip ^| like a calf,

and Mount Hermon like a ^| young wild ox.

⁷The voice ^| of the LORD

bursts forth in ^| lightning flashes.

⁸The voice of the LORD ^| shakes the wilderness;

the LORD shakes the wilder- ^| ness of Kadesh.

⁹The voice of the LORD makes the oak trees writhe and strips the ^| forests bare.

And in the temple of the LORD all are ^| crying, "Glory!"

¹⁰The LORD sits enthroned a- ^| bove the flood;

the LORD sits enthroned as king for- ^| evermore.

¹¹O LORD, give strength ^| to your people;

give them, O LORD, the bless- ^| ings of peace.

Second Reading

Acts 8:14–17

Peter and John are sent to support the new Christians in Samaria, a group that was recently baptized after hearing the good news of Christ through the preaching of Philip. Here the Samaritans receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in the laying on of hands.

¹⁴Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. ¹⁵The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit ¹⁶(for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). ¹⁷Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Gospel

Luke 3:15–17, 21–22

The reading opens with questions about the identity of the Messiah. John the Baptist insists that he is not the Messiah; instead he points ahead to one who is coming. And whether the voice of God was heard by all or only by Jesus, God settles the matter: Jesus is God's beloved Son.

¹⁵As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, ¹⁶John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹⁷His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
²¹Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, ²²and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

Reflection

Oh, such a short reading on the baptism of Jesus. It was a significant event, it was recorded by all four gospel writers, but Luke covers it in less than one verse! Why was he so brief? Early in his gospel (Luke 1:3), he says that he has carefully investigated everything from the beginning. His account is exact in historical detail, yet so many details are left out of this event. Perhaps for Luke, the fact that Jesus was baptized is more important than the detail surrounding why he was baptized or of how he was baptized. Luke goes on to say that once the baptism had occurred, heaven was opened, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus, and God identified Jesus as his son and told him that he was pleased with him. For me, that makes the baptism of Jesus a significant event more than the fact that Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all recorded it. For in this short verse, Luke gives us a glimpse of the Trinity. All three members are present at the same time and interacting with one another. Oh, how I wish Luke had spent a little more ink and parchment on this event.

Prayer

We believe in one God, the Father, the maker of all that is, both seen and unseen.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sin.

Quote

… wherever anybody is being baptized according to Christ’s command we should be confidently convinced that God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is present there, and that there is pure delight, pleasure, and joy in heaven over the fact that sin is forgiven, the heavens opened forever, and that now there is no more wrath but only grace unalloyed. Martin Luther, vol. 51