Dearest e-votees,
Apologies for jumping ahead a few fortnights last week and using the appointed gospel for January 31.
This week we are going to use the epistle lesson appointed for Wednesday, January 6 which is "Epiphany of our Lord".
The church season of Epiphany is all about God's work being revealed. The word "epiphany" literally means "to shine on" and figuratively means "to be revealed". The Sundays of the season of Epiphany are bookended with "Baptism of our Lord" this coming Sunday and "Transfiguration Sunday" which is February 7.
May our days and our time out in the world be full of epiphanic moments.
Peace,
Karl
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1 This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, 3 and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, 4 a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. 5 In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6 that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
7 Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. 8 Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10 so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
Ephesians 3:1-12, NRSV
Epiphanies come from without. They are a gift from God to reveal God's truths in God's timing through God's chosen vessels. We don't merit God's revelation. Which means we are free from trying to earn God's attention and revelations. Saul (renamed Paul) was very earnest and zealous in trying to merit God's favor. He did so by persecuting the church and serving as a coat-check and sideline approver of the stoning of Stephen. His intent may have been good but his actions were not. But God chose him (even though he was self-admittedly "the very least of all the saints") to be a recipient of God's revelation.
There is a poem by Ed Nesselhuf who was the director of prison congregations in South Dakota called "What Was It Like for You Dysmas?". It conveyed that if Jesus could pardon the repentant thief (Dysmas) than surely there was hope for us too. This is the classic argument from the greater to the lesser. If God could do such a mighty work than surely the smaller similar works are well within God's possibilities. If God's grace was broad enough for a condemned criminal hanging next to Jesus on a cross than God's grace must surely be big enough for us too.
Perhaps Paul is offering us similar hope. If God's grace is big enough to see past Paul's errors and missteps and to reveal the gospel to the likes of Paul than surely there is hope and assurance that God will revealed to us as well. God's grace is broad enough for Paul (nee Saul) and it surely large enough for us.
Since we know that God loves all, including us. Since we know that God chooses to be revealed to all, including us. We can be bold in the faith. And we can be confident in the faith. Not in our own merit or rock-solid faith or deservedness but in the one in whom we have faith. Jesus has poured out boundless riches of grace, mercy, love and forgiveness. Thanks be to God.
God, help us never to declare or dismiss as unworthy those to whom you have chosen to grace with revelation--including ourselves. Shine your revealing light into our lives. Help us to shine our lights so that people may see and give glory to you, our Father in heaven. Amen.
Apologies for jumping ahead a few fortnights last week and using the appointed gospel for January 31.
This week we are going to use the epistle lesson appointed for Wednesday, January 6 which is "Epiphany of our Lord".
The church season of Epiphany is all about God's work being revealed. The word "epiphany" literally means "to shine on" and figuratively means "to be revealed". The Sundays of the season of Epiphany are bookended with "Baptism of our Lord" this coming Sunday and "Transfiguration Sunday" which is February 7.
May our days and our time out in the world be full of epiphanic moments.
Peace,
Karl
------------
1 This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, 3 and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, 4 a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. 5 In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6 that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
7 Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. 8 Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10 so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
Epiphanies come from without. They are a gift from God to reveal God's truths in God's timing through God's chosen vessels. We don't merit God's revelation. Which means we are free from trying to earn God's attention and revelations. Saul (renamed Paul) was very earnest and zealous in trying to merit God's favor. He did so by persecuting the church and serving as a coat-check and sideline approver of the stoning of Stephen. His intent may have been good but his actions were not. But God chose him (even though he was self-admittedly "the very least of all the saints") to be a recipient of God's revelation.
There is a poem by Ed Nesselhuf who was the director of prison congregations in South Dakota called "What Was It Like for You Dysmas?". It conveyed that if Jesus could pardon the repentant thief (Dysmas) than surely there was hope for us too. This is the classic argument from the greater to the lesser. If God could do such a mighty work than surely the smaller similar works are well within God's possibilities. If God's grace was broad enough for a condemned criminal hanging next to Jesus on a cross than God's grace must surely be big enough for us too.
Perhaps Paul is offering us similar hope. If God's grace is big enough to see past Paul's errors and missteps and to reveal the gospel to the likes of Paul than surely there is hope and assurance that God will revealed to us as well. God's grace is broad enough for Paul (nee Saul) and it surely large enough for us.
Since we know that God loves all, including us. Since we know that God chooses to be revealed to all, including us. We can be bold in the faith. And we can be confident in the faith. Not in our own merit or rock-solid faith or deservedness but in the one in whom we have faith. Jesus has poured out boundless riches of grace, mercy, love and forgiveness. Thanks be to God.
God, help us never to declare or dismiss as unworthy those to whom you have chosen to grace with revelation--including ourselves. Shine your revealing light into our lives. Help us to shine our lights so that people may see and give glory to you, our Father in heaven. Amen.
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