The Third Sunday after the Epiphany - 23 January 2011
Isaiah 9:1-4
Psalm 27:1, 5-13
I Corinthians 1:10-18
Saint Matthew 4:12-23
BACKGROUND – The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Beginning on Tuesday, 18 January, The Confession of Saint Peter the Apostle, and lasting until 25 January, The Conversion of Saint Paul, there is an observance of The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This observance, which attempts to keep the hope of Christian Unity alive amongst the various churches, was begun in 1908 by the Graymoor Friars (Franciscan) and the Sisters of the Atonement held the first observance of the octave. Since that time, through the efforts of the World Council of Churches, Roman Catholics, Orthodox Churches, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Reformed Churches, Baptists and others have prayed for the unity of the Church.
Isaiah 9:1-4
There will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness--
on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
 |
| The Tribe of Naphtali - Chagall |
It has not been all that long since we last heard these words from Isaiah. They comprise the first reading on Christmas Eve (9:2-7) and again on this Sunday (9:1-4). They lead up to Isaiah’s oracle about the birth of a new Davidic heir (unto us a son is given) and attempt to illustrate the chosen nature of the Davidid kings. Why then this text again, on this Sunday? Here the focus is on the last three verses, which may be a liturgical piece chanted or said at the accession of the king. It is not only about the king (idealized, not a particular king) but also the people, “who walked in darkness”. Isaiah talks about a new kind of light that brightens the joy of a people brought into freedom. That these verses are quoted by Jesus in the Gospel for today is probably the primary reason for this reading, however the prophet’s insight into the nature of leadership and people form a deeper commentary that is used by Christians to understand the nature of Jesus leadership and ministry. It is for the benefit of those being led, for the people who follow, that Isaiah’s ideal king, and Matthew’s messianic Jesus exercise their authority.
Breaking open Isaiah:
- Have you “walked in darkness”? What is your darkness?
- How has your Christian faith made you free?
- What still oppresses you?
Psalm 27:1, 5-13 Dominus illuminatio
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? *
the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?
One thing have I asked of the LORD; one thing I seek; *
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life;
To behold the fair beauty of the LORD *
and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; *
he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling and set me high upon a rock.
Even now he lifts up my head *
above my enemies round about me.
Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation with sounds of great gladness; *
I will sing and make music to the LORD.
Hearken to my voice, O LORD, when I call; *
have mercy on me and answer me.
You speak in my heart and say, "Seek my face." *
Your face, LORD, will I seek.
Hide not your face from me, *
nor turn away your servant in displeasure.
You have been my helper; cast me not away; *
do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.
Sometimes the theological words that we have become accustomed to can obstruct our understanding of what a biblical author really intends. Such is the case in the first verse of the psalm where the translation of “rescue” is rendered as “salvation.” Rescue speaks volumes and becomes more immediate to our understanding of what the psalmist is celebrating. That God should be a “shelter” (tent) or that God should conceal us from the evil all about us becomes something that we can rejoice in given the difficulties that confront us in our daily life. These verses (5 and 6) rejoice in God’s rescue, but also (verses 9-13) convey the immediacy of the request. God is needed in the life of the psalmist now and not tomorrow. Interestingly the use of the word “tent” (translated as “shelter” in the BCP) allows a double meaning. Tent can be the household in which we rest and are refreshed in, or it can mean the tent (tabernacle) which was God’s presence with Israel in its wanderings through the wilderness. Where shall we meet God?
Breaking open Psalm 27
1. Is your home a shelter for you? From what does it shelter you?
2. Is your church a shelter for you? How?
3. When or where do you feel closest to God?
I Corinthians 1:10-18
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
 |
| Ss. Peter and Paul |
The reading for today is a continuing reading during these Sundays after Epiphany from I Corinthians. In these verse Paul outlines the problem that he needs to address with the Corinthians. There is division in the church of Corinth, and Paul identifies four separate parties or factions: a) those who “belong to Paul”, b) those who “belong to Apollos”, c) those who “belong to Cephas (Peter)”, and finally those who “belong to Christ.” Let’s unpack this for a second. Paul’s party consisted of the majority of the congregation, made up of both freed persons and slaves that were attracted to Paul’s message. The party of Apollos was followers of a recently converted Alexandrian Jew who was an eloquent orator, whose teachings were especially admired by the better educated of the Corinthians. The followers of Cephas (Peter) were Palestinian and Syrian Jews who identified with the leadership of Peter. The finally party, those who “belong to Christ”, may not have been as righteous as their name might suggest, but rather those who sought to have direction only from the Risen Christ, and who dismissed the teachings of Paul, and his authority. It is a complex situation, and one that is often shared by all Christian congregations. Who shall be our leader? To whom shall we listen?
Breaking open I Corinthians:
- Does everyone in your church agree on everything?
- How are disputes handled?
- How does Baptism and Eucharist heal these divisions?
Saint Matthew 4:12-23
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
"Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--
the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned."
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea-- for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.
There is a great deal going on in this reading. First Matthew ties us into the Isaiah texts that we read in the first reading this morning. This is not a random quotation but an attempt to make a theological assertion. The tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun were among the first to feel the wrath of God courtesy of the Assyrian army. And now these tribal areas, and Galilee are the first to hear the good news of God’s reign. In this theological context, Jesus recruits those who will help him announce this new “reign of heaven.” Jesus is a master of taking daily tasks and responsibilities and making them into signs and symbols of a higher calling. The fishermen become fishers of men and women – of real human beings for whom the good news is intended. In their own actions, the fishermen, James and John, leave one authority (their father) and follow another (Jesus). And what is the good news that this small party begins to manifest and announce? Action words quickly follow to explain the ministry of Jesus: teaching, proclaiming, and curing. Such works ought to be known among us as well.
Breaking open the Gospel:
- How does your faith call you to be in mission?
- What does the idea of a “reign of heaven” or “the kingdom of heaven” mean to you?
- In what ways have you shared good news with others?
After breaking open the Word, you might want to pray the Collect for Sunday:
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment