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Epiphany 2B

Epiphany 2B

Jeff Bassett

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Psalm 63:1-8

1 Samuel 3:1-10(11-20) 1 Corinthians 6:11b-20 John 1:43-51

Jesus is the light of the world. Shine, Jesus, shine. This little light of mine. You are salt and light.

The language of the Church is full of the understanding that Christ is the light who has come into the world. It is full of the knowledge that Christ is the light by which we know all things. Christ (the Creator-Word) reveals all knowledge so that we might be enriched (1 Corinthians 1:5). This knowledge, then, ought to lead us back to Christ in praise and worship. It is the wonderful cycle of receiving the glorious riches of Christ in order to glorify Christ.

This week’s collect directs us into this knowledge. It directs us to look forward to the illumination of the Word and Sacrament (Christ himself) because as we perform the sacramental presence of Christ, we witness to all of creation’s purpose to “shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory.”

***

The weeks after Christmas are hard for me. It is hard to get back into the rhythm of work and worship. It is difficult for me to push through my tendency to hide from people. But the prayers and readings for this second week after Epiphany encourage me to see that the light of Christ—which illuminates the Church and who in turn illuminate the truth about Christ—is also the light which calls us into a new mode of faithfulness. Samuel hears the audible word of the Lord for the first time. Philip and Nathanael are called to follow Jesus. In both stories, there is a revelation.

In Samuel, the boy-prophet hears the word of God (שְׁמוּאֵל itself means “he hears God”) who calls him to a life of prophetic utterances before the people and priesthood of Israel. He hears the Lord call to him and finally responds by receiving the word that he is then to take to Israel. The true Hearer becomes the true Speaker. In the Gospel passage, Philip and Nathanael follow a similar pattern. Jesus calls Philip. Philip calls Nathanael. Jesus (truly) sees Nathanael. Nathanael is then invited to truly see. In each story, someone hears in order to speak or is seen in order to see. They are illuminated in order to shine.

I don’t know how you will pray with your people this week. But as you do, know that as you illumine the people of God through Word and Sacrament, you participate in that giving and receiving motion of the Triune God which enables Christ to be “known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth.” You offer the light necessary for faithfulness. Despite the exhaustion of this season, it is this prayerful work that is right at the heart of our calling.

Grace for the journey.

Jeff Bassett

About the Contributor

Pastor of the Cordova Church of the Nazarene

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