While I was away last week, I had the restful, reorienting opportunity to spend several days at a Benedictine abbey on a silent retreat. One morning, as I sipped my tea in the dining room, I glanced up at the doorway leading outside and noticed some familiar chalk marks: 20+C+M+B+25. These faithful nuns began their Epiphany the same way we did, and it was a reminder to me that Epiphany continues!
We remain in the season that celebrates the revelation of Jesus as the King of all nations, as the Light for all people in all places. Others may focus on the darkness of these days, but we are oriented toward the Rising Son. One of the Canticles assigned for Morning Prayer in this season sings out our calling:
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has dawned upon you.
For behold, darkness covers the land; deep gloom enshrouds the peoples.
But over you the LORD will rise, and his glory will appear upon you.
Nations will stream to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawning. (Isaiah 60:1-3)
Isaiah is singing of us, the Church. Those living in fear point to the “deep gloom” enshrouding their communities, their relationships, and their lives, stifling their hope and stirring reactive anxiety and anger. We, however, live in the Light of Christ, and we point to Jesus as the one already at work redeeming and renewing us, and through us shining proactive trust and peace into every situation.
I love the Collect for the Second Sunday of Epiphany, which expresses why we gather each Sunday through this powerful petition:
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.
Come and be illumined this Sunday! I look forward to seeing your shining faces.
Your Pastor in Christ,
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