Archive for the ‘Epiphany’ Category

The Third and Fourth Sundays after Epiphany: One Story, Two Sermons, the First One Here

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

jesus in synagogueFor whatever reason (perhaps because it takes two Sunday to do justice to Luke’s story in chapter 4), the appointed Gospel readings for the Third and Fourth Sundays after Epiphany are in fact one story, divided in half, giving pastors, priests, and preachers ample opportunity to clarify what Jesus did (and did not do!)  while giving his first sermon in the Nazareth synagogue, his hometown “church.”   Although I heard Pastor Katie Pasch of St. John Lutheran Church in Griffin, Georgia, unpack the full meaning and impact of Luke’s story, her busy schedule (she was the grandmother of a new baby yesterday!) precluded her sending me her text; and as a consequence, I’m making available Pastor Ron Luckey’s two sermons.   Here is his first homily, based on Luke 4.14-21, as the people of Faith Lutheran Church, Lexington, Kentucky, heard it on the Third Sunday after Epiphany, January 24, 2010:

It’s a Friday evening.  Sundown.  The Jewish Sabbath has begun, and the town of Nazareth has gathered in the synagogue to worship.  Jesus, the hometown boy who’s been out in the world making a name for himself is in the congregation that night.  Before the service starts, the rabbi walks up to him.  “Jesus, I wonder if you’d be willing to be our assisting minister and read a portion of the scripture for us, and say a few words this evening?  I know the folks would appreciate it.”  (more…)

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Not Everything Turns Out Well

Monday, January 25th, 2010

Here are the lectionary readings for The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany,Jeremiah_Michelangelo_Sistine_Chapel_sm
January 31, 2010:  

Jeremiah 1:4–10
Psalm 71:1–6
1 Corinthians 13:1–13
Luke 4:21–30.  

At Journey with Jesus, Daniel B. Clendenin’s essay, “Not Everything Turns Out Well,” is well worth reading.  Take a look at it and give the Holy Spirit time enough to make an impression in your thinking, life, and actions.

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Cana’s Wedding & Haiti

Monday, January 18th, 2010

Earthquake_Haitiwedding_at_canaLast Sunday many of you listened to a sermon or homily delivered by your pastor or priest.  I myself heard Pastor Nancy Christensen give a fine sermon to the parishioners of St. John Lutheran Church, Griffin, Georgia.  It was based on the Gospel for the Second Sunday after Epiphany, St. John 2.1-11, and I wish you could have heard it.    If, like me, you heard a good sermon yesterday, I’m glad for you. 

If, however, you are still in need of good sermon on the First Sunday after the Tragedy in Haiti,  let me share one with you.  I received the following sermon by Pastor Ron Luckey from friends at Faith Lutheran Church, Lexington, Kentucky.  If you need a really good sermon , I urge you to read what this pastor said to his parish.  “Luckey,” as I know him, and I have been to Haiti many times where we have come to know dozens of Haitians, many of whom are dear brothers and sisters.  If you both wish to hear the Good News within this tragedy and would like to know why this tragedy in particular might well doubly shock the world, read Luckey’s sermon.   Then, after seeing the “sign” to which John says Jesus is pointing, pray for the people of Haiti and our country, and do your part to turn the polluted water of Haiti into God’s wine.         

You may want to print this sermon and share it with friends and neighbors.      Here it is:                              

          This morning it seems almost obscene to preach about a bunch of party goers who live happily ever after when there is such agony in Haiti.  Who cares about a wedding reception at a time like this?  When all is said and done, this story of the wedding in Cana is about botched planning.  Somebody didn’t do their job.  They were careless and miscalculated how much wine would be needed for the party.  This is penny-ante stuff.  It’s not like this is a story about somebody with cancer.  It’s about somebody with an empty wine glass, for heaven’s sake.  This is not a story about Roman soldiers raping and pillaging the village of Cana.  It’s a story about a wedding in Cana where people went to the bar and were told:  “Sorry, we just ran out of wine.    Can I interest you in a Sprite?”  This “problem,” if you can call it that, hardly seems worth Jesus’ time. 

          And hardly worth mentioning in John’s gospel.  And especially on this Sunday with the world grieving over Haiti, it seems particularly ludicrous to spend much time on it.  How can the preacher justify preaching on this piddling little story when Port au Prince is in ruins?  (more…)

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The Gospel for the Third Sunday after Epiphany, 24 January 2010

Sunday, January 17th, 2010
"Emmanuel," Icon by Betsy Porter

"Emmanuel," Icon by Betsy Porter

At Journey with Jesus  Daniel B. Clendenin has again published a thoughtful essay, “Today is Here,” by Sarah Miles on the Gospel for next Sunday, Luke 4.14-21.  Sara is Director of Ministry at St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco and the author of Take This Bread (previously reviewed at JwJ).  Her new book is Jesus Freak: Feeding, Healing, Raising the Dead (Jossey-Bass, February, 2010), and Dan reviews an advance copy this week, along with a film review of Malos Habitos.   To go along with Miles’ essay, he also posts the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi (1182–1226): “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.”

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From my daybook, 12-16 January 2010

Saturday, January 16th, 2010
Days of unspeakable tragedy, sorrow, heartache. The first news of the earthquake in Haiti came, not from TV, but via email sent by Debbie Berquist from the Village of Hope in Port au Prince:

Jan 12, 2010 – 6:03pm WE ARE ALL FINE….shook up in more ways than one as you can well imagine. A few MINOR bruises. It is 5:40 PM as we type this and we are still having a few after shocks…the room shakes as I type. All the Haitian staff at Hope House are fine as well. My Haiti phones are out. Some of the team members (from PA) have been able to contact their families.

Since that message, many more, some almost hourly. Marie Major is all right as are all her children at Grace Orphanage; the kids at The Little Children of Jesus Orphanage are okay. A fragment of a phone call from Johnson tells us that Johnson and Andronic are alive; there is no word yet about Stevenson. We fearful that he may not be alive. My talk to the parish on Sunday bears fruit with money being collected, many prayers offered, and SJLC fully aware of the disaster. Received word today that Thrivent is matching funds given for relief: $1 for every $2 donated. In touch with Luckey, Pat, and Sherri; all of us are convinced that our scheduled February 1 trip to Port au Prince is on indefinite hold.

On Wednesday I met with Larry Schultz on the Global Missions Committee at the Manhattan Restaurant; Larry comes from good stock, open and honest. That evening the Eucharist was clean and simple, always Christ. Becky and Wayne came over for supper on Thursday. Met Hugh in the Barnesville post office and afterward he helped me get the plywood over to his place. We got the boat covered with a huge tarp.

Importantly, am learning to do the Jesus Prayer with regularity, each morning about 6. The darkness is important. 100 slow knots and prostations. Two chokti arrived as did the votive candle for the icon shelf. Learning how to include the saints in my prayers, especially the Blessed Virgin Mary. Clearly more Orthodox. Jim Forest’s book a big help, especially the collection of prayers.

Good movie: Under the Sun with subscripts. Tomorrow’s Gospel, the wedding at Cana. Dan Clendenin says it well:

At Cana in Galilee Jesus filled and fulfilled the ancient promises of Judaism. He filled the empty pots used for ritual purity with wine used for secular celebration. He didn’t merely announce a coming reign of God, or direct attention away from himself to some other. With the first of his “many miraculous signs” he demonstrated that somehow and in some unsurpassed manner he revealed the glory and character of God like no other. This friend of sinners, accused of being a glutton and drunkard, revealed a God of extravagant goodness and mercy.

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