The Rev. Virginia W. Nagel
Ephphatha Parish of the Deaf
Episcopal Diocese of Central NY
We are nearly through Epiphanytide. Next Sunday will be the last Sunday of Epiphanytide, and Ash Wednesday will be next week, too. It is not too early to plan our Lenten observances. Many people do not make a plan for Lent, and then they forget all about what they have decided to do in observance of Lent, and end up doing nothing at all. The Prayer Book office for Ash Wednesday makes many good suggestions for keeping a holy and useful Lent, and what we have been learning about showing forth God during these past few weeks of Epiphanytide can also give us some constructive ideas for observing Lent and growing in faith, and helping to spread the Kingdom. Remember, it is every Christian's responsibility.
Today's readings give us a kind of boost towards becoming a living epiphany of the Lord, and also towards our planning for Lent. Did you hear what God told Jeremiah to say to the people? I am not going to repeat the whole reading. I don't need to. It really boils down to two short sentences, as you know if you were paying attention. Here they are: I will condemn the person who turns away from me and puts his trust in people, relying on mortal (human) strength. ... But I will bless the person who trusts in me. That's it, in a nutshell. It reminds me of the verses from Proverbs that have been my own guide for many years: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and not in your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.
Today's psalm also tells us how to become godly people, people who show forth God, people who are living epiphanies. You might want to copy it out and carry it in your pocket this week, and re-read and think about it every day. It's quite short, and full of helpful advice.
The epistle, from Paul's first letter to the church folks in Corinth, is also very simple. What it boils down to is: Jesus was raised to life after being put to death. Our own resurrection and eternal life depend on this fact, and it would be foolish of us not to believe it, and act on it.
The Gospel reading is Luke's version of the Beatitudes. Most of us know Matthew's version better. It is interesting to notice that Matthew tells us that Jesus gave this sermon while sitting on a hill or small mountain. It's almost as if he were handing down commandments from on high, but Luke says Jesus gave this sermon while sitting on a fairly level plain, with the people all around him. He was sitting in the midst of the people, and that's why, of course, many churches read the Gospel in the middle of the church, not from the pulpit or lectern. But what Jesus says in both Matthew and Luke is very much the same. Perhaps he gave the same sermon in different places at different times; we don't know. Still, it is worth our time to think about what Jesus said. He is, basically, giving us directions for becoming good, useful epiphanies of God, and builders of God's kingdom. Reading this Gospel over at home, slowly, might give you some ideas for planning your Lent. But if you try to live by it, you are almost guaranteed to become a bright and shining revelation of God's love to the world...an epiphany of the Lord. And that, you know, is what every Christian should be trying to become! Amen.
