Tag: Epiphany

January 2018

On: By: Rev. G. Michael Rose

“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’” Mark 1:9-11

 

Dear Redeemer Family:

When most of you receive this, we will be well into the middle of the Season of Christmas. You know the carol? The Twelve Days of Christmas? It is a short season, and its purpose really is to prepare us for what is coming next, Epiphany, God’s light breaking into the world. Epiphany begins, in the lessons, with the arrival of the three magi. It takes place on January 6th, thirteen days after Christmas. It is then, that I like to tell people, that they may open their Christmas presents. Remember, it is the magi who bring the gifts. For some reason, children don’t usually like that waiting for the magi to arrive. What is really important about the Day of Epiphany is that illuminated in the gospel lesson of the day, God’s promise shines bright in the night as magi follow a star to honor a new king. Strangers from a faraway land, they welcome the long-awaited Messiah of Israel.

 

The time after Epiphany is really an extended invitation of Baptism. And it is kind of filled with ironies. Mark’s gospel reports the story of Jesus’ baptism with some irony: the one on whom the Spirit descends is himself the one who will baptize others with the Holy Spirit. Think about it! John the Baptist doesn’t want to baptize Jesus. Rather he thinks that Jesus should be baptizing him! Again, think about it. The words that we hear coming from heaven at Jesus’ baptism are repeated again, at His Transfiguration at the end of the Season of Epiphany. Again, something to think about!

 

This theme of an invitation runs really through the whole time of Epiphany. In the Gospel lessons of this time, Jesus goes out and calls His disciples with the words, “Follow me,” an invitation. Philip will invite Nathanael to meet Jesus with, “come and see,” an invitation.

 

The themes of Epiphany encourages all disciples, that includes us, to go fishing for people, to have intentional conversations with others inside and outside of the Church about their faith, and to invite those who have not yet been baptized to “come and see” what these waters are all about. The waters of baptism tell the truth, that we live in a world of competing values and conflicting loyalties. To follow Jesus is to turn away from other ways of living and being in the world. This is highlighted in the Baptismal Rite itself in the structure of the renunciations and the profession of faith. “Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God? Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God? Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God?” And then, we proclaim our faith in the Baptismal Creed, the Apostles’. “We believe in God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.” This too is an invitation for all now to “Come and see.”

 

In Christ,

Pastor Rose

February 2017

On: By: Rev. G. Michael Rose

“Light shines in the darkness for the upright.” Psalm 112:4

 

Dear Redeemer Family:

We are still in winter. The days are short. In fact, the other day I was kind of amazed at how early it was beginning to get dark towards the end of the afternoon. But, the good news is that we are also in the Season of Epiphany, the season of light. “Epiphany” means, at least in the Church, “God’s light breaking in.” To some, that may be an epiphany, but that is another meaning of the word. In this season of darkness for earth, we remember that God is breaking into our world and our lives through His Son Jesus Christ. I think that it is a good image for this time of year. Every day now, the day is getting a little bit longer. The light is winning over the darkness. God is coming in to enlighten us. That is a marvelous thought!

 

During winter, many people are affected by the darkness. I imagine that they are also affected by the weather of this season. The sky is gray. It rains or snows. Or worse, just a few days ago we had a three day ice storm. That can be depressing to many. For one thing, people may find themselves cooped up inside their homes and get “cabin fever.” There is the desire to be outside, and with it a desire for freedom which only the out of doors can bestow upon us. In winter, people’s spirits can become quite low.

 

This Season of Epiphany then is also a season of hope. God’s light is breaking into our world. The darkness is leaving us. We are given hope. Soon the weather will change. Days will be bright and sunny, and warm (especially in August). Although we may feel limited by the darkness of the world, and the sin which we have fallen into, we also know that God’s light has already broken into our world in the life of His Son. God’s light does not leave us, but grows stronger every moment. And through God’s light, we are renewed. The blessed rain renews the earth. God’s grace renews us. The weight of the “winter drearies” is lifted from us. And we are made free!

 

This Season of Epiphany is good for us. The light which began with the Star of Bethlehem shining on a manger continues to shine upon us. We gather like the Magi and Shepherds still to behold its brilliance in the face of our Savior. And being enlightened in such hope, we go back to our homes and those close to us to share that light and that hope with those who do not know it. This is a wonderful time, a glorious time, a time of brighter countenance in the face of a darkened world. Share the Good News with those who desperately need to hear it! Praise be to God and His light!

 

 

In Christ,

Pastor Rose