The Season after the Epiphany – Epiphany is all about establishing the identity of Jesus. Now that he has been born who is he ? Epiphany continues to define who Jesus is – healer, preacher and the Messiah, the last one comes early in Epiphany and continues.
Epiphany refers to the appearance of Jesus Christ as the savior of the world—of Israel and the Gentiles. For this reason, Epiphany is commonly associated with the visitation of the Magi (or “wise men”), who were almost certainly Gentiles, in Matthew 2:1–12.
We focus on the mission of the church to reach all the peoples of the earth with the great gift of God’s grace in revealing healing truth and light to the world.”
It is very much present oriented. The main idea of Epiphany is that Christ is the light of the world that came at Christmas and now beckons us to travel with Him ths year. The story of the Epiphany is about discovery—following a star to the source of salvation.Epiphany is filled with unexpected revelations that change our minds and ways – we have to be willing to experience them.
Epiphany is our jumping off spot. From the Eucharistic Prayer – “With each new day, you call us to feed the hungry, bring recovery of sight to the blind, liberate the oppressed, heal the broken hearted and bind up their wounds, and keep watch for the dawn of your reign on this earth. ”
First Sunday after the Epiphany – Jan 12
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 – Baptism of Jesus
The first Sunday in Epiphany is traditionally about Jesus’ baptism. In Luke’s gospel, Jesus is baptized along with “all the people” (v. 21), identifying himself with those who acknowledge their sins.
As Jesus was praying (in Luke often a prelude to major events), the Holy Spirit descends. With the title formerly applied to the nation, to the king and later to the Messiah, Jesus is now openly called the Son of God, dramatizing and confirming what was implicit in his conception (Luke 1:35).
Baptism is the way Christians acknowledge the act of orienting one’s life to The Way of Christ, a symbol of renewed life and the promise of eternal life
Second Sunday after the Epiphany – Jan 19
John 2:1-11 – Wedding at Cana
The wedding at Cana in an obscure village in Galilee is the first of the “signs” that manifest the power and presence of God in Jesus’ acts and the first miracle in John’s Gospel. The gospel begins on the “third day”, a symbolic day of creation, a new beginning and a new message for humankind. The setting of a wedding feast also echoes both the marriage bond between God and Israel and the messianic banquet at the end of time. Here John introduces us to Jesus’ mother, whom he calls by name – Mary. Mary shares the news that the bridal couple has run out of wine. Jesus responds, “What concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” Jesus’ “hour,” set by divine plan, is the final revelation of his glory in the passion and crucifixion. Jesus reminds Mary that his mission is not to fulfill human desires but God’s will. He responds to Mary’s plea, but he does so in cooperation with the purposes of his ministry
Third Sunday after the Epiphany – Jan 26 Luke 4:14-21 – Sermon in the synagogue at Nazareth
Jesus’ sermon in the synagogue at Nazareth and the public’s reaction to it foreshadow the meaning of his ministry, its rejection by Israel and the mission to the Gentile world. The reaction of the people points back to the temptation (4:9) and forward to the crucifixion that took place outside the city.
Jesus has just read from the scroll of Isaiah in his hometown synagogue and has told them that the scripture has been fulfilled in their hearing. This is followed by Luke’s code word of belief and acceptance – “all…were amazed.”
The people like this, they speak well of him. They like hearing that God is doing good things and believe that they are a part of those good things. Instead, Jesus tells them that it is the outsiders who will receive him, not them– because no prophet is accepted in his hometown. After all, prophecy is a risky business.
Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, Feb. 2
Luke 2:22-40
“Today is a day of purification, renewal, and hope.” The Presentation of our Lord commemorates Mary and Joseph bringing the infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem where he is greeted by Simeon and Anna. By the law every first born male was to be consecrated to the Lord. The commemorations of Jesus’ consecration happens forty days after Christmas.
Candlemas is a feast day though it does not often fall on a Sunday. Candlemas occurs at a period between the December solstice and the March equinox, so many people traditionally marked that time of the year as winter’s “halfway point” while waiting for the spring.
Candlemas is actually a very old feast, celebrated by both the churches of the East and the West, and in some places it is on this day that the creche is finally removed from the church.
According to some sources, Christians began to observe Candlemas in Jerusalem as early as the fourth century. The lighting of candles as part of the feast began in the fifth century. The feast was observed on February 2 in regions where Christ’s birth was celebrated on December 25. February 2nd is also Groundhog Day in the United States and Canada.
Candlemas was the day of the year when all the candles that were to be used in the church during the coming year were brought into church and a blessing was said over them – so it was the Festival Day (or ‘mass’) of the Candles. Candles were important in those days because they were the main source of light in buildings. Some people thought they gave protection against plague and illness and famine. For Christians, they were (and still are) a reminder of something even more important. Before Jesus came to earth, it was as if everyone was ‘in the dark’.
In some parts of the world, pieces of these candles blessed at Candlemas are considered of great efficacy in sickness, or otherwise. When a person is dying, a piece is put in his hand lighted, and thus he passes away in the belief that it may light him to Paradise.
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany – Feb. 9
Luke 5:1-11– the First Disciples
“They left everything and followed him.”
Peter, James and John put their boats out into the deep water at the command of Jesus and caught so many fish that their boats were in danger of sinking.
The disciples hadn’t done anything to deserve such a catch. God’s call is unpredictable–not the result of our own efforts. Jesus called the disciples in the midst of their daily life and work, just as God calls us in the ordinariness of our days. Just as Jesus commissioned the disciples for service to God’s kingdom by “catching people,” God calls us to serve the kingdom as well. And these disciples who were called changed their priorities and commitments. From that moment forward, Jesus was the one who ordered their lives.
Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany – Feb 16
Luke 6:17-26 – – The Sermon on the Plain
“The Beatitudes are pronouncements of blessing. They call us back to the power of blessing and of being blessed. The word for ‘blessed’ means something like ‘O, how fortunate.’ God rejoices in God’s children—and here are God’s hopes for us.” Luke also includes “woes,” that come with the blessings. “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God….but woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.” “Gustavo Gutierrez, the liberation theologian, has commented that ‘God has a preferential love for the poor not because they are better than others, morally or religiously, but simply because they are poor and living in an inhuman situation that is contrary to God’s will.’” When we, like the rich young ruler, hear this word, we may go away sorrowful, because we have an abundance. Jesus calls us to repentance and a re-ordering of our priorities.
(Resource for Feb 10th and 17th—The New Interpreter’s Bible: A Commentary in Twelve Volumes, Volume IX, Luke, John. “The Gospel of Luke: Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections” by R. Alan Culpepper.
Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany – Feb. 23
Luke 6:27-38 – – Love for Enemies
This is the second part of the “discourse on the plain.” In the first part (Lk 6:20-26), Jesus addresses Himself to the disciples (Lk 6:20). In the second part (Lk 6: 27-49), He addresses Himself “to you who listen to Me,” that is, the great crowds of poor and sick people, who had come from all. These are the ways we can act like God.
The readings have 3 basic teachings:
1 Luke 6:27-30: Love your enemies!
2 Luke 6:31-36: The Golden Rule! to imitate God. “Treat others as you would like people to treat you!” (Lk 6:31). The second saying is “Be merciful as your Father in Heaven is merciful!” (Lk 6:36)
3.Luke 6:37-38: “Do not judge and you will not be judged; do not condemn and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven; give and there will be gifts for you.”
Last Sunday after the Epiphany
Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a] – March 2
Peter, James and John went with Jesus to pray on a mountain top. The disciples witnessed what we call the transfiguration where Jesus’ face became radiant and his clothes dazzling white. Along with Jesus stood Moses and Elijah. The disciples had no idea what was happening and Peter, in his ignorance, suggested that they erect three tents to commemorate the event. As though to correct Peter’s misunderstanding, a voice came from the cloud naming Jesus as his son and telling the disciples to listen to him. There was not to be confusion about Moses or Elijah being equal to Jesus nor should Peter have tried to assume control of a holy happening, but rather listen to this holy one.