Break Open the Word

The Second Sunday of Christmas Jeremiah 31:7-14 Psalm 84 Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-19a Saint Luke 2:41-52 Theotokos and Child from Hagia Sophia  BACKGROUND – In the Gospel for today, St. Luke comments, “…and Jesus increased in wisdom…”.   For some New Testament authors and commentators in the early church, Jesus not only increased in wisdom, he was Wisdom.   Wisdom in the Hebrew Scriptures was a variety of things.   It was, to some extent a reflection of the wisdom (everyday aphorisms that guided daily life) that was seen in all Ancient Near Eastern cultures.   Layered onto this was the understanding that Wisdom was a female manifestation of or emanation from God.   All of this thought makes its way into the New Testament as well, especially in the Gospels of Saint Matthew, Saint Luke, and Saint John.   For Paul, Jesus is God’s veritable Wisdom.   Matthew sees in Jesus’ actions and miracles a manifestation of Wisdom.   Jesus is the not ju...

St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr Jeremiah 26:1-9, 12-15 Psalm 31:1-5 Acts 6:8-7:2a, 51c-60 Saint Matthew 23:34-39                                                                                         BACKGROUND – By chance, the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord is followed by three significant commemorations that offer some level of commentary on what it means to celebrate Christ’s birth.   The days are: St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr (26 December), St. John, Apostle and Evangelist (27 December), and The Holy Innocents (28 December).   Some have spoken of the...

The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ III Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalm 98 Hebrews 1:1-12 Saint John 1:1-14                                                                                         St. Mary Major, Rome BACKGROUND – Christmas.   There is an aspect to Christmas celebrations (although it is not only Christmas, but also Lent and Easter as well) that is largely lost to us in English-speaking America.   In the Lectionary there are provisions for readings for three separate services, which is a shadow of a more ancient practice surrounding the Na...