Lectionary for Epiphany 3
The Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor and to proclaim release to the captives. Luke 4:18
Collect. Father, you have sent your Anointed One as king and prophet to announce to the poor the glad tidings of your reign. Grant that his words may this day resound in the Church, build us up into one body, and fashion us into instruments of liberation and salvation. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reading. 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31a. At the height of the Charismatic Movement there was such a focus on the gifts of the Spirit that the giver of the gifts became almost forgotten. Paul, while suggesting a range of gifts that the body possesses, is still emphasising the oneness of the body of Christ, for the gifts are given under his headship. Even today divisions over theology or practise or tradition are commonplace. These divisions go against the teaching point that Paul is making, namely one Christ, one Spirit, one body. At the beginning of his letter to the Corinthians he is making this very point in a none too subtle way when he says to the whole congregation; “Has Christ been divided up between you?” Being a part of one body means living in harmony; it means being under the authority of Christ even when there are differences of opinion among the members. The Spirit gives the gifts and so they are Christ’s gifts to be used to honour his name and so build up his body. Christ must be at the forefront of any discussion on Spiritual gifts for they are given by him and for him. An important context we need to remember as we reflect on this passage and the work of the Spirit is that before Christ came the Spirit was actively involved in the work of the Godhead (e.g. in creation Gen 1:2;) but was not universally poured out on believers. Now Paul is reminding those who are in Christ that each one has a gifting from the Spirit which equips them to be an active participant in the body of Christ: the gifts of the Spirit have now been universally supplied to all believers.
Returning back to the idea of Harmony within the body it means that while all have a gift or gifts, no one has absolute authority only Christ. There is a variety of gifts and all contribute to the body, indeed all are essential to the proper functioning of the body. Today as we read this passage let us remember that each one of the members can and must contribute to the body but each one must do it under the authority and direction of Jesus Christ the head.
Prayer. Lord forgive me that often I feel that I am the least worthy of all your children and wonder if I make any contribution at all to the work of Jesus Christ for the gifts I have seem less effective than the gifts of others. Forgive me that I am so self focussed and forget all that you have done for me and all that you have given to me in Jesus. Forgive me for being so timid and distrustful of your love and mighty power. Teach me to hold your call upon my life close and grant me the courage to trust in you as I live each day, making the most of the opportunities that come to me through life. In all things Lord I long to honour you. Grant me good success, to your praise and glory. Amen
Reading. Luke 4:14-21. This passage is a favourite reading for many bible readers, for it announces a new era, as well as a welcome message of hope. For the people in Jesus’ day the message would also have been a welcomed message. The Babylonian exile had seen the crushing of the dream that one day they would be a great kingdom nation again. The exile had come to represent the judgement of God and the people’s estrangement from him: No longer did they feel the comfort of his presence. Centuries had passed and the people now longed to hear a fresh prophetic voice to rekindle hope in the promises of their God. Suddenly here, wonder of wonders, Jesus is announcing a new era, the year of the Lord’s favour. It would have reminded them of the theme of Jubilee described in Leviticus. This was a time when economic debts were to be forgiven, when land would be restored to families who had been forced to sell in order to repay debts, similarly people sold as slaves to repay debt were to be liberated. In their minds the message from the prophet Isaiah would have announced a new ongoing season of hope, of God’s forgiveness and the renewal of the kingdom. Jesus then added extra excitement by adding that “today” this prophecy, recounted for ages was now to be fulfilled.
For readers today this is still a message of hope and opportunity for it reminds us of the plan and purpose that the coming of Jesus had and has: Our God is a God of justice and under his authority justice is available for all. We know very well that the justice foreshadowed by the prophecy from Isaiah is not available for everyone at present yet we do believe that the work towards its fulfilment has already begun. Jesus’ message is clear for we are living in the age of the resurrected Jesus and so the Kingdom has come, yet it’s final fulfilment remains in a time to come. Even so the time has come because the kingdom is centred around Jesus himself yet at the same time there is still much to accomplish before the complete experience of God’s justice is revealed.
…“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7
Prayer. Lord Jesus, we pray for the coming of your justice and mercy to be completed across our nation and our world. We pray for a time when all will be accepted and welcomed into the united family of God You knew the pain of rejection and misunderstanding; you knew the sadness when no one understood, yet you remained faithful to the vision that God had set before you. By your strength teach us to deal with the pain of life in such a way as to continually uphold what is God’s will for us. Let us never be aggressive or abusive in our relationships with each other but always see your image reflected in those around us. And Lord we pray this especially for those who we most deeply love. Let nothing in us so distort us that we shatter those relationships which in the end determine who we are. Help us to truly be your faithful disciples. This we ask in the name of him who walked the path of suffering even unto death. In all things and in all ways teach us to be faithful alone to you. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
Collect. God of justice, the poor hear the good news, and rejoice; help us to receive the grace of Christ and leave the cages of injustice and sin, to accept the freedom that you alone can give; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14. (Psalm 19 is the psalm for this week and worthy of a prayerful read through!)
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