Lectionary for Epiphany 4
If I do all things, but do not have love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1, 2
Collect. Living God, in Christ you make all things new. Transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Reading. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. This is a passage often used at weddings for it is beautifully crafted but that was not Paul’s intended use. The original text was in the form of a letter and so we need to recognise that the chapters and verses where not in the original writings and so the chapter breaks are artificial. The addition of chapters and verses happened over many centuries beginning in the 12th century and was begun by a cleric named Stephen Langton who later became Archbishop of Canterbury. As we keep that in mind we understand that chapter 13 is simply the next paragraph, (actually sentence) following on from the discussion about the church described as a body with gifts. The link between the two sections we recognise in Paul’s words, “I will show you a more excellent way of living together.” The church is comprised of members who have been baptised by the Spirit into one body. In baptism we are linked with Christ having died and been given new life in him, a New Creation. Through the Spirit we are each equipped with the gifts needed to keep the church functioning as Christ intends. So now immersed into Christ and gifted by the Spirit we have also been loved by God. That is to say God’s love has been poured out over us, and in us, giving us both life and purpose. We live in and as the church only because of God’s love.
Paul is reminding the Corinthians about God’s love for there are competitive factions already operating in the church at Corinth; maybe some are even saying if I don’t have this or that gift I won’t/can’t, be a part of the body. The best, indeed the only way to keep harmony in the body is to exercise those gifts you have with love and regard for all the members. We can have a sentimental attitude to love, a nice fuzzy feeling that comes from time to time, but that is not what Paul is asking the Corinthians to implement. Think of how Paul describes love; patient, kind, longsuffering, believing and accepting all things. These are all actions that call for a measured response. The singer Don Francisco has a song titled, “Love is not a feeling it’s an act of your will”. That seems to sum up just what Paul is trying to teach this young church. It is a teaching point that each member of the body needs to understand, for when we do we are reminding ourselves that it is God who is in change and we are in the body only through God’s love. Gifts can come and go for they always belong to God, however there are three things that remain, faith, hope and love. And it is love which is primary. It is when we begin to understand how great God is and how much he has done on our behalf that we finally find the capacity to love our sisters and brothers in Christ. The wonder of God’s love is what enables us to love in the way that Paul describes.
However, before we go we need to remind ourselves again now lovely in every way is this reading. To live within a society that fully practises love like that would truly be heaven!
Prayer. Most loving God, forgive us when we demand to be loved but in return are often unloving. Forgive us when the expectations we have of others does not measure up to the way we order our own lives. Help us to be both gracious and loving to all that we meet, grant us patience and forgiveness for others that meet your expectations, may our hands always be outstretched towards others to help and to heal, to encourage and to support. Teach us your way of love that our witness will give glory to you and reveal all that you have done for us. This we pray in the name of Jesus our lord and Saviour. Amen
Reading. Luke 4:21-30. In last week’s reading from Luke we thought about the high sense of expectation that was felt by those who heard Jesus. Here at hand was relief, the estrangement from God that the whole nation had experienced was about to end. The people from the synagogue at Nazareth had no doubt heard of Jesus’ exciting teaching and from a local man they would have expected, perhaps something special, some good news, particularly designed for them. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” Lk 4:21. “Today” would have caught their attention and have an immediate impact. However as Jesus began to discuss the implications of what Isaiah’s prophecy meant their enthusiasm quickly turned to hostile anger. Jesus was describing a very different godly action from the one they were anticipating. From the beginning the Israelites had understood that their God was the God of all the nations but they had a privileged place in his relationship with all peoples. Here, Jesus was reminding them that God was sovereign and acted as he chose which was not necessarily as they expected. Like us they had already made up their minds how God would act; they knew what it was they longed for: When Jesus outlined a different pattern of action their response to Jesus and therefore to God was one of rejection. Despite all that had happened to them they still remained a disobedient people. It was the very same response that had brought them to a position of estrangement in the first place. Since the time of Moses they had understood about the sovereignty of God and his demand that they be obedient. (Romans 9:15) Luke is reminding his readers that the message of Jesus is not presented to meet their expectations but to give glory to his Father, the one who had sent him. Their anger was so intense that they determined to kill him by “hurling him off the cliff!” This may seem to us an unreasonable response to someone’s preaching. N.T. Wright tells the story of a clergyman who was observing in a conversation; “When St. Paul preached, riots broke out!”, “When I preach they serve cups of tea”! Luke is reminding us that the message of Jesus cuts to the very centre of who and what we are. Perhaps Jesus hearers that day were more honest than we are as we hear the gospel message. (I am not advocating we should stone preachers if we don’t agree with them!) Still it is a reminder to us that the gospel presents to us the reality of who God is and what he has done for us. It is a message that brings hope and it is also a message that brings us the reminder that it is God who is in charge.
Prayer. Lord Jesus forgive us that we so easily keep you at a safe distance, we listen to your words but live our lives responding to a different message. We agree with what you say intellectually but seldom put your words into practise, listening as if they were merely words in a book which remain in memory but make no real difference to the way we are as people. Forgive us that we so easily turn aside from the reality that your words bring. Help us to see the world as you see it and to evaluate life as you do. Help us to live more like you wish us to live and less as we want. May we be faithful servants, always fulfilling your plan and purpose. Guide us to those situations where we can best serve and be a faithful witness to you. Strengthen us in times of testing and give us a clearer vision when we are tempted. So let our lives reflect your power and goodness throughout each day. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
Collect. Father, your Son endured rejection and misunderstanding for the sake of all people; send your Spirit upon the Church, increase our faith, that we might announce the good news of grace and truth at all times; for the sake of Christ our Lord. Amen.
ericjkirkham.com 