Category: Epiphany

Greetings on this the Saturday after Epiphany
Readings: 1 John 5:14-21; Psalm 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b; John 3:22-30

Summary

The Final Witness of the Baptist.

John answered and said,
“No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.
You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ,
but that I was sent before him.
The one who has the bride is the bridegroom;
the best man, who stands and listens for him,
rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice.
So this joy of mine has been made complete.
He must increase; I must decrease (Jn 3:27-30)

Life is filled with transitions. Traditions are filled with historical remnants and many vibrant current variations. This is the nature of the journey we are on.

As John’s ministry draws to a close, Jesus begins his ministry in a seamless way. Parallel efforts at first and then, as people realize the increase, drawing people to himself as they realize his baptism is with holy Spirit and water. It is easy at first to see this as a competition as John’s followers were tempted to see things. A Us v Them argument.

It’s a transition from Me and our little We to He and all of us being the We. Not a loss of identity, but a widening of it.

Reflection

Could you imagine the religious civil war John could have started? Imagine further if the social media tools were available to John and his disciples and the attitude of Us v Them? Before truth could speak we would have quite the dustup!

Personal Reflection

For myself, it is a good check point. When have I taken a Me-Us v a He-We approach?

It is far better to follow John’s example, the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. Tomorrow is the Baptism of the Lord. I choose his joy.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011026.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Friday after Epiphany
Readings: 1 John 5:5-13; Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20; Luke 5:12-16

Summary

Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever possesses the Son has life (1 Jn 5:5, 11-12a).

What does it mean to possess the Lord? To our modern ears this sounds like ownership and total domination. It has quite the negative connotation.

In theological terms to possess Jesus means to be self-possessed. That is, to achieve a certain mastery over ourselves as even Cain was urged to doin the Book of Genesis (poetically at the beginning of humanity): If you act rightly, you will be accepted; but if not, sin lies in wait at the door: its urge is for you, yet you can rule over it (Gen 4:7).

If possessed means to – own occupy and control – then all the more it means so in the self. To be self-possessed of this self control. Control over instinct, reactions, words, vices and building up the virtues, theological and cardinal. This self-mastery is not self-generated but Spirit-enabled—grace precedes effort, and effort cooperates with grace.

Reflection

The Gospel now shows us what this ‘possession’ looks like in flesh and blood.

Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people (ref Mt 4:23).

Now there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where he was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately (Lk 5:12-13).

He cured every disease but as to self-mastery (self-possessed, possessed) we have a role to play!

For this man, in this case, he was given one private task: Then he ordered him not to tell anyone, but “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” (Lk 5:14).

1. Take this healing into your heart (example): And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart (Lk 2:19).
2. Follow the prescriptions of the Law (example): According to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (Lk 2:22).

Personal Reflection

To possess Jesus is to allow ourselves to be shaped by him—until our reactions, desires, and actions begin to resemble his. To possess Jesus is to be a master of our personhood. Allowing by the same power of Spirit, water, and Blood to guide us to eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010926.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Thursday after Epiphany
Readings: 1 John 4:19–5:4; Psalm 72:1-2, 14 and 15bc, 17; Luke 4:14-22

Summary

He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,
and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.
He said to them,

“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Reflection

Our gospel portion today is a critical part of our Epiphany. It is not others speaking, not the prophets of old, not the then modern contemporaries… but the Lord testifying about himself.

During Advent and the Christmas Octave sacred scripture has others speaking about Jesus: Shepherds, Magi, Herod, Simeon, Anna, Angels, Mary and Elizabeth among others I missed in the list!

But today Jesus describes himself and his mission by way of comparison and purpose.
Jesus, in the Spirit of the Lord, is set apart to bring glad tidings, proclaim liberty, bring recovery and lead us in praise of the Father.

Personal Reflection

Beloved:
Who indeed is the victor over the world
but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 Jn 5:5)

I would like to help Jesus in his victory. Do my part to make others glad, bring liberty and recovery and lead others in grateful prayer! In Jesus the Father’s will is fulfilled. In me, I wish to be fulfilled in receiving and dispensing these gifts.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010826.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the
Readings: 1 John 4:11-18; Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13; Mark 6:45-52

Summary

He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were [completely] astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened (Mk 6:51-52).

The gospel portion today deliberately recaps a very important understanding. After the The Feeding of the Five Thousand and The Walking on the Water, the disciples were completely astounded (shocked) and their heart were hardened. This conclusion of these two stories hits like a thunderbolt.

It raises the question within me, ‘What proof do I need? and Why do I need more?” Especially for those in the moment of the miraculous feeding and the walking on water. The Church gives us the first reading as a way to understand our inner selves all the better.

God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. (1 Jn 4:16b, 18-19, 20).

Love casts out fear.

Yet we cling to fear, even in the presence of Holiness and the Miracles:
Fear is about punishment.
Fear is about hating others.

Reflection

In our sacred scripture today, in this period of Epiphany to Baptism, we are introduced to our lowest level of response: fear. Fear of the elements. Fear of others. Fear of the recognition that we hate others and God knows it. Fear is the lowest:

• because it closes relationship
• because it interprets God as threat, not gift
• because our hatred needs fear to be operative.

Personal Reflection

When Jesus gets into our boat, the storm does not necessarily stop — but fear does. The storm rages but we have no fear because Jesus is with us and we with him. It is that reality we must work to keep present. When they reached the shoreline, fear took its central place again. This is our challenge.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010726.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Tuesday after Epiphany
Readings: 1 John 4:7-10; Psalm 72:1-2, 3-4, 7-8; Mark 6:34-44

Summary

When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them. Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. The Lord has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor and to proclaim liberty to captives. (Mk 6:34a, 1 Jn 4:7, Lk 4:18).

During this period of Epiphany – sudden moment of profound realization or insight – our sacred text (first reading, Alleluia verse and gospel portion) all move with one accord.

1. A heart moved with compassion.
2. Love compels.
3. Action response: Bring gladness to those most in need: the poor and the captive.

Reflection

Our psalmist brings the certain outcome of such a movement: Lord, every nation on earth will adore you (Ps 72:11).

1. A just King has come.
2. Justice (right relationship) and judgment (restorative, not punitive).
3. Peace for the people.
4. Defense of the suffering.

Personal Reflection

The royal psalm 72 describes the King as bearing Justice, Peace and protection. Is it not the perfect response to Adore the One who brings such gifts?
Let us continue our journey, moved in heart, with love, bringing gladness where strength is limited and need is great.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010626.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Christmas Weekday
Readings: 1 John 2:29–3:6; Psalm 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6; John 1:29-34

Summary

The one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the holy Spirit (Jn 1:33).

The Holy Spirit comes down upon us and will remain with us as the Holy Spirit did with Jesus. This is the whole point.

Reflection

In our first reading today, John’s letter reminds us that we are to stay with the Lord as children: remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming. No one who remains in him sins; no one who sins has seen him or known him. (1 Jn 2:28, 3:6).

We do need to want him to remain!
John describes what remain looks like:

1. Righteous (being in right relation with your fellow man).
2. Loving – as the Lord loves us.
3. Adoption – our Yes to his indwelling offer.
4. Hope – life is better.
5. Purity – a reflective action of being in love.
6. Taking away of sin – actual and near occasion.

We are to resist the temptation to be lawless and habitual sin.

Personal Reflection

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God. (Jn 1:29, 34). Jesus remains in the Spirit even as he grows, labors, and suffers.

Children of God, yet so we are. So we too should remain.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010326.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church
Readings: 1 John 2:22-28; Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4; John 1:19-28

Summary

“I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’ (Jn 1:23)

John the Baptist was called out to prove who he was. John responds I am nothing but a messenger. John’s voice is the voice of love—love that refuses silence when the people are at risk.
A retranslation of verses 26-27 is as follows: John answered them, “I baptize with water and there is one who is coming after me”. The synoptics add “he will baptize you with the holy Spirit”.

Reflection

Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it (Jn 13:16-17).

It is enough to wish to be a good imitator of Christ. Like John the Baptist we use what we have.

1. We have a voice (love). Cry out your love!
2. We have our water (gifts). Pour out your water!

And now, children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming (1 Jn 2:28).

Personal Reflection

From a term paper I wrote at the end of Fall 2008 Semester in Seminary:

Besides the theological error involved (the novel word unbegotten), Basil was concerned with the human proclivity to be both argumentative and the seeking novelty in intellectual matters and inventing one where one does not exist. Why do we engage in such behavior? We must look to our purpose and orientation to discern our actual motives – pride perhaps? ‘The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?’ Jer 17:9.

It is good to learn from John. Voice and water. The rest is commentary.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010226.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry