Epiphany

Mark 1: 21-28

       They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus  rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”  And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.  They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”  At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

        There are several liturgical practices we could profitably adopt from our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters, but today I want to share one difference where they could learn from us Lutherans. 

       We observe an Epiphany season from Jan 6 until Ash Wednesday. After the Baptism of the Lord starting Jan 11, the Catholic church calls the same period "Ordinary (in the sense of ordinal numbers) Time".  The Sunday readings are the same, but calling the entire season "Epiphany" gives this time a coherent character. The Epiphany themes of Revelation and Light provide a window through which we can view the lessons. Each week we see Jesus revealing Himself as the revelation.  He calls disciples to abandon their livelihood to hang out with Him. Jesus also reveals himself as Light. The next two Sundays we see Jesus confronting demons. When Light comes in, the demon hiding in darkness has to go away. 

       Epiphany is a great time to ask ourselves "Who is Jesus?" Hanging out with Jesus enables us to live up to the Abiding Christ mission to "grow in discipleship". 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, during this season with long dark nights, enlighten our hearts with Your loving presence. Amen