One Little Word

Of Faith and Hope

Lessons:
     Exodus 34:29-35
     Psalm 99 (9)
     2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2
     St. Luke 9:28-36 [37-43a]

Prayer of the Day:
     Holy God, mighty and immortal, you are beyond our knowing, yet we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ.  Transform us into the likeness of your Son, who renewed our humanity so that we may share in his divinity, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

^9.28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹ And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. ³⁰ Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. ³¹ They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. ³² Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. ³³ Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. ³⁴ While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” ³⁶ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

[³⁷ On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. ³⁸ Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. ³⁹ Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. ⁴⁰ I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” ⁴¹ Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” ⁴² While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. ⁴³ And all were astounded at the greatness of God.]

---

St. Luke 9:28-36 [37-43a] New Revised Version Bible (C)1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

What do Peter and James and John understand on that Transfiguration Day? They are looking at their leader, standing together with Moses (God’s chosen servant who was instrumental in leading God’s people out of their slavery in Egypt) and Elijah (God’s chosen servant who was, arguably, the greatest of the prophets in the Hebrew Bible) on top of a mountain (where God had so often appeared to the faithful throughout the years). Surely they have glimpsed that Jesus is more than your ordinary every-day miracle worker and healer. Surely they have glimpsed that Jesus is more than a wise teacher and counselor. But can they possibly have glimpsed what the church has proclaimed through the years about this day? That in the clouds and the splendor and the presence of these two central figures from the Hebrew Bible, the mysteries of our faith are confirmed, and our adoption as God’s children is foreshadowed?

(more…)

A Good Fish Story

Lessons:
     Isaiah 6:1-8 [9-13]
     Psalm 138 (2)
     1 Corinthians 15:1-11
     St. Luke 5:1-11

Prayer of the Day:
     Most holy God, the earth is filled with your glory, and before you angels and saints stand in awe.  Enlarge our vision to see your power at work in the world, and by your grace make us heralds of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

^5.1 Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, ^2 he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. ^3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. ^4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” ^5 Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” ^6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. ^7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. ^8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” ^9 For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; ^10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” ^11 When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

---

St. John 2:1-11 New Revised Version Bible (C)1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

I can’t help but wonder if St. Luke is slip­ping us a good fish story here. In this Gospel lesson, Jesus meets Simon (known by most of us as Peter) – a professional fishermen – a man who spends every night on the boats, work­ing the nets. The night St. Luke describes is a difficult one. Simon has been up for hours with no success. At daybreak he heads for shore and begins the long, tedious task of cleaning and mending the nets so that he will be ready for the next night’s fishing.

(more…)

Hearing the Voice of God

Lessons:
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6 (6)
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
St. Luke 4:21-30

Prayer of the Day:
Almighty and ever-living God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and love; and that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

^4:21 Then he [Jesus] began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” ²² All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” ²³ He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.’ “ ²⁴ And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. ²⁵ But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; ²⁶ yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. ²⁷ There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” ²⁸ When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. ²⁹ They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. ³⁰ But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

---

St. Luke 4:21-30 New Revised Version Bible (C)1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

In 1928 Alexander Flem­ming was doing research on culture-plates, at­tempting to learn about infections. During these examinations, the plates were set aside on the laboratory bench and examined from time to time. Consequently, they were ex­posed to air, and they eventually became contaminat­ed with various microorganisms. Flemming was disappointed when this happened. The plates were ruined — he would have to begin the process all over again. What once served as a critical component of his research was now worthless, as far as the origi­nal intention was concerned.

(more…)

The Spirit of the Lord Is upon Me

Lessons:
     Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
     Psalm 19 (7)
     1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
     St. Luke 4:14-21

Prayer of the Day:
     Blessed Lord God, you have caused the holy scriptures to be written for the nourishment of your people.  Grant that we may hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that, comforted by your promises, we may embrace and forever hold fast to the hope of eternal life, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

^4:14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. ^15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. ^16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, ^17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: ^18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, ^19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” ^20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. ^21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

---

St. Luke 4:14-21 New Revised Version Bible (C)1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

The Gospel text appointed for this weekend tells the first half of the story of that day when Jesus preached his inaugural sermon in Nazareth. Matthew and Mark refer to this story in their Gospel accounts, but Luke is the only one who actually tells it.

Luke’s Gospel is a fascinating one. In some respects, it is a bolder, more “in your face” Gospel than the other four. Luke has a deep belief in the social, economic, cultural and religious changes that will come to one who believes in Jesus. Think of the song Mary sang when she visited her kinswoman Elizabeth (Luke 1:46-55), or the preaching of John the Baptist (Luke 3:11-14), or this weekend’s excerpt from Jesus’ own preaching. These passages are recorded only in Luke’s Gospel – not in any of the other Gospel accounts.

(more…)

Lessons:
     Isaiah 62:1-5
     Psalm 36:5-10 (8)
     1 Corinthians 12:1-11
     St. John 2:1-11

Prayer of the Day:
     Lord God, source of every blessing, you showed forth your glory and led many to faith by the works of your Son, who brought gladness and salvation to his people.  Transform us by the Spirit of his love, that we may find our life together in him, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

^2.1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. ² Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. ³ When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” ⁴ And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” ⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” ⁶ Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. ⁷ Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. ⁸ He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. ⁹ When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom ¹⁰ and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” ¹¹ Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.”

---

St. John 2:1-11 New Revised Version Bible (C)1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

It was a wedding – just an ordinary wedding. Not that there was anything ordinary about a wedding in first century Galilee. For some of those small towns, a local wedding could be the social highlight of the year. The whole community would wait in anticipation for the event. And what an event it was. Hardly the afternoon and evening that we experience in our day. Back then, a wedding celebration could last as long as a week! Bride, Groom, extended family, friends and assorted townsfolk would gather day after day to feast, to dance, and to start the young couple’s life together with a great celebration.

(more…)

Salvation Is Proclaimed

Lessons:
     Isaiah 43:1-7
     Psalm 29
     Acts 8:14-17
     St. Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Prayer of the Day:
     Almighty God, you anointed Jesus at his baptism with the Holy Spirit and revealed him as your beloved Son. Keep all who are born of water and the Spirit faithful in your service, that we may rejoice to be called children of God, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

^3:15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, ¹⁶ John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with^ the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹⁷ His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
[¹⁸ So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. ¹⁹ But Herod the ruler, who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, ²⁰ added to them all by shutting up John in prison.]
²¹ Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, ²² and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved;^ with you I am well pleased.”^  

---

St. Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 New Revised Version Bible (C)1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

There are very few symbols that stand as close to the heart of our faith as Baptism does. A helpless young baby is handed to the Pastor, who holds the child over a font. Water moves. Words are spoken. Perhaps the baby cries, or sleeps, or looks around in wonder… and a life is changed forever. Years before a child will ever understand what has taken place, God’s claim is laid on this one’s heart. God takes the first step in the long journey that becomes a life of faith. Grace is shared. Forgiveness is promised. Salvation is proclaimed. There are indeed very few symbols that stand as close to the heart of our faith as Baptism.

(more…)

Lessons:
     Isaiah 60:1-6
     Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
     Ephesians 3:1-12
     St. Matthew 2:1-12

Prayer of the Day:
     Almighty and ever-living God, you revealed the incarnation of your Son by the brilliant shining of a star. Shine the light of your justice always in our hearts and over all lands, and accept our lives as the treasure we offer in your praise and for your service, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

^2.1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, ^2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” ^3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; ^4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. ^5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
     ^6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
     are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
     for from you shall come a ruler
     who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
^7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. ^8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” ^9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising,^f until it stopped over the place where the child was. ^10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. ^11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ^12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

---

St. Matthew 2:2-12 New Revised Version Bible (C)1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.