Listen to a simple service of prayer and reflection centred on Matthew 2.1-12 for 6 January, the Feast of the Epiphany

Reflection on Matthew 2.1-12 for the Feast of the Epiphany

The wise men said: we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage. Then … they left for their own country by another road.

We are all on a journey. That journey begins with our birth and ends when our mortal bodies fail and our earthly pilgrimage concludes in death. Every life-long journey is different as each of us responds in a different way to the signposts, the chances and the challenges which ease or hinder the path we follow. On this feast of the Epiphany we are being invited to reflect upon how the wise men responded to the signposts, chances and challenges which led them to the Christ-Child in a far away foreign land.

Epiphany has always been special to me because it was when I was confirmed. I can vividly recall the text upon which the bishop preached. From the King James version of the Bible, the bishop began with these words:  we have seen his star … and are come to worship him.For me, there has always been great power in these words. They make it plain that a signpost to God was seen, recognised for what it was, and followed … despite what must have been great inconvenience and uncertainty! Furthermore, these words reveal an intention ([we] are come to worship him) that leaves us in no doubt: for the wise men, and for us, the worship of God should come before all else!

Theologians and historians tell us that the wise men are most likely to have travelled over one thousand miles on their quest to find and worship the baby Jesus. If only we could demonstrate such strength of faith! I recently met someone who used to be a regular church-goer. He was clearly embarrassed to have bumped into the vicar. Before I could say anything he blurted out that he and his wife still believed in God, but they were, “Giving Church a rest.” What an interesting concept that is, as well as being complete nonsense! The Church does not need a rest, it needs to see the commitment of the wise men replicated day after day as we journey through this life and worship God.

As well as making that long and arduous journey, the wise men, we are told, returned by another road. As they sought to avoid the political machinations and cruelty of this world, they allowed God to lead them along another path, an unknown path. We are also called to follow the path God has laid for us, the path that will be unfamiliar, and that may seem unwise and dangerous. But, it is God who knows best. It is God’s signposts we should be following, and not our own well-trod and self-serving paths, those paths that will lead us away from God.

On this feast of the Epiphany, let us pray that we might continue our earthly pilgrimage with renewed determination and energy. Let us pray that we might join the wise men in following the signposts that will lead us to Christ. Let us pray that our worship might be renewed in sincerity and vigour. Let us pray that we might journey by that other road, the road God has chosen for us.

Listen to a simple service of prayer and reflection centred on John 1.43-51 for 5 January

Nathanael said to him: Where did you come to know me?

In Psalm 139 we read these words: O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away … Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. These powerful words offer an answer to Nathanael’s question to Jesus, just as they offer us a reminder of the omnipotence and omnipresence of God in this world.

In earlier times, I used to teach Philosophy and Ethics. One of the modules I taught was entitled The Nature of God. Within that module students were invited to consider God in terms of four ‘omni-’ words: omnipotence, omniscience, omnibenevolence and omnipresence. Omnipotence referred to God as being all-powerful; omniscience considered God as being all-knowing; omnibenevolence invited reflection upon the all-loving nature of God; omnipresence reminded us that God is present everywhere at all times.

Today’s reading is a powerful reminder of reality of those four  qualities of God. Having added Philip to the growing company of disciples, Jesus then reveals an acquaintance with Nathanael that is bewildering to Nathanael himself. He would have known the words of Psalm 139, but here are those words in action. In his amazement, and confusion, Nathanael proclaims: Rabbi, you are the Son of God! Then, Jesus promises that he, and all who commit themselves to a life of discipleship, will see greater things.

As we prepare to leave the liturgical season of Christmas and move into Epiphany, which begins with the coming of the wise men, let us pause and consider the message of recent days. On Christmas Day we celebrated the Nativity of Jesus, the Son of God. That miraculous birth was celebrated by the company of heaven, in the form of angels, and by ordinary people, the shepherds on the hillside. We have also seen the first disciples stepping out of their ordinary lives and trusting Jesus’ call to follow him. Already we are witnessing the omnipotence, omniscience, omnibenevolence and omnipresence of God through the words and actions of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray that we might learn the absolute truth of the words of Psalm 139 as we place our lives in the hands of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world … the one who is the Son of God.

Listen to a simple service of prayer and reflection centred on John 1.35-42 for 4 January

Having just reflected upon the moment when John declared: Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, we now move into a moment where that great proclamation of faith bears fruit. In a recent conversation, someone said to me: But you never know what good your words and actions might be doing. This is, of course, very true. We never know what good, or harm, we might be bringing into the lives of others, which makes it all the more crucial that we pray and consider carefully how we interact with those we meet day by day. However, in today’s reading we do witness the impact John’s message of faith had on others. 

Two of John’s disciples heard his words about Jesus. They heard and then they turned and followed. One of those disciples of John, Andrew, then took the message to his brother, Peter. Then an amazing thing happened. They went to where Jesus was staying, and they remained with him that day. This small detail is often overlooked as we focus on the calling of the first disciples, but can you imagine what it must have been like to spend the whole day in the company of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the one of whom John said: this is the Son of God?

We have no way of knowing how that day went, what was discussed, how the one they called Rabbi shared his knowledge with those eager pupils. But, we do know that by the end of that day Jesus had already laid the foundation of what was to come as he renamed Simon as Cephas (Peter), the name which means ‘rock’. Later in the gospels we will learn of the fallibilities and weaknesses of Peter, we will learn just how human he is. We will also learn that he is destined to become the rock upon which Christ’s Church will be built.

Today we hear of Jesus’ ministry and mission beginning as he chooses the first of that company of disciples and apostles who take the Good News into the world. Today we hear of ordinary people being chosen by Jesus to act as his ambassadors. It is fair to assume that they did not see anything particularly special in themselves, but they were ready for Jesus to test them as he responded to his call in faith.

Let us pray that we might be ready to trust Jesus as he calls us into his service. Let us pray that we might trust in his judgement about our gifts and talents, and not rely upon the false boundaries and glass ceilings we impose upon ourselves. Let us pray that we might stand firm in our faith, rocks that others can depend upon as we share the Good News with all.

Listen to a simple service of prayer and reflection centred on John 1.29-34 for 3 January

John said: Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! … I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.

We do not know how long John’s ministry of preaching and baptizing in the wilderness had been going on before this moment in the gospel narrative. Whether it had been days, weeks or months is not really relevant because today we hear of the moment when his role as the forerunner of the Messiah is fulfilled. Today we hear of Jesus standing before John in person. Today we see the one of whom John said: I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal. Today we hear John’s testimony of seeing the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and [remaining] on him. Today we hear John’s intense joy of recognizing and acknowledging that he is in the presence of the one long foretold, the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.

All who are baptized into the Christian faith have shared in this moment. Whether they made the commitment themselves, or whether the promises were made on their behalf by godparents, the commitment to live as one who recognizes the Jesus who baptizes with the Holy Spirit has been made. Water has been poured as a symbol of cleansing the sin that clings so close. The light of the risen Christ has been given to guide and to protect as the newly baptized person stepped out into the world that can be so dark. From that moment a new life came into being. A new Christian life entered this world. A new professing Christian came to the open door of opportunity and choice … the opportunity to share the light of Christ with others; the choice of honouring the promises made or turning one’s back on them.

John brought baptism with water, Jesus brought baptism into the life of the Holy Spirit. Our baptism rituals combine the two as water symbolically cleanses us, making us ready to be filled with the Holy Spirit. It is for us to pray that we might never forget the great gift we have received, and to show how much it matters to us as we step out, like John, and play our part in sharing the guiding and protecting light of Christ with all we meet.

Listen to a simple service of prayer and reflection centred on John 1.19-28 for 2 January

Then they said to him: ‘Who are you?’

How often are we asked about our faith? How often are we asked whether we believe in God, or whether we go to Church? For some these questions occur quite frequently, for others they are never asked. Whether questions of faith crop up regularly, or not at all, should be a matter upon which we should reflect.

If we are never asked about our faith, perhaps we should pause and ask why that might be? Is it because we live out our lives in a way that suggests we have no faith? Is it because we rarely display those characteristics that people believe lie at the heart of the Christian faith … selfless love and service? If, on the other hand, we are asked about our faith, even on an occasional basis, we should ask ourselves whether it is because we have shown a glimmer of the Christian life but without ever acknowledging that we are guided and strengthened by Jesus?

In today’s reading priests and Levites were sent to ask John: Who are you? John had fulfilled his destiny to be the forerunner of the Messiah by proclaiming a message of repentance and by offering a ministry of baptism for the forgiveness of sins. John had been creating quite a stir. Many people had travelled into the wilderness to hear his words and to receive the baptism he offered. John’s words and actions stood out, and it led the religious authorities to ask the question: Who are you?

At no point did John make any claim of ‘greatness’ on his own behalf. John’s role was as a messenger of God, a prophet. Indeed, in response to the questions of the Pharisees, he said: Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal. John’s faith and humility rang out loud and clear. John was a messenger in the wilderness, a messenger crying out: Make straight the way of the Lord.

As we journey further into the new year, our reading for today reminds us of our call to live out our faith in a way that leads others into the joy of knowing, loving and serving Jesus Christ. We are called and challenged to live our lives in a way that means no one ever has to ask those questions about our faith, because the answer is obvious to all!

Listen to a simple service of prayer and reflection centred on Luke 2.15-21 for 1 January

Today’s reading brings together two moments in Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus that may seem quite disparate but, in reality, unite in revealing something of the wonder of Christ coming to earth. The shepherds were caring for their flocks on the hillside that surrounds the hilltop town of Bethlehem when the angels of heaven proclaimed the birth of the Messiah to them. Prior to the angels appearing to the shepherds an angel had appeared to Mary and Joseph, announcing God’s intention that Mary should bear his Son and proclaiming that that Son’s name should be Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

As was their custom, the shepherds would have gathered together each night for security and companionship. They would have herded their flocks into pens where they would be safe from wild animals and robbers. Then, one night some two thousand years ago, their nightly routine was disrupted in the most dramatic of ways. 

Mary and Joseph were two people who had become engaged, and who were probably looking forward to the day of their marriage. As plans were being made for that happy day, their daily routines, and everything they understood to be ‘normal’ and ‘decent’ was disrupted by the visitation of an angel. The bride-to-be was to bear a child, a very special child. The groom-to-be was to find that his future life-partner had become pregnant in the most miraculous of ways.

Every one of whom we read today had their lives changed by messages brought from God by angels. Every one of whom we read today had to choose between allowing God to change their lives and turning their back on him! 

Today’s revisiting of this moment in the story of Christ’s Nativity is important because it reminds us that we are confronted with the same choice as Mary, Joseph and the shepherds. The shepherds heard the message of the angels and then went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. Mary and Joseph accepted God’s call to bear and care for his Son as he came into this world in the form of a vulnerable new-born child. Then, after eight days, when the child was brought for circumcision, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel.

As we continue to celebrate the season of Christmas, we are being urged to remain true to God’s call in our lives. However it may have come to us, we have also received the message of the angels; now it is for us to go in haste glorifying and praising God for all [we have] heard and seen. It is for us to live the role of the angel for others as we bear and share the Good News with all we meet.

Listen to a simple service of prayer and reflection centred on John 1.1-18 for 31 December

He came as a witness to testify to the light … the true light which enlightens everyone.

Today we say goodbye to the old as we prepare to enter into the new. At midnight bells will be rung, fireworks will crackle into life and resolutions will be made. There will be parties, embraces and the sharing of memories and hopes for the future. In the year ahead there will be both optimism and apprehension, excitement and uncertainty, joy and sadness. Then, after this universal moment of celebration as one year moves into another, for so many, it will be back to ‘business as usual’. The party spirit will be packed away until the next cause for celebration comes along, the bonhomie will be packed away as we don our usual attitude of suspicion and self-interest, and those resolutions will quickly be forgotten. The coming of a new year, with all its excitements and opportunities, will be celebrated like a birthday, a once-a-year event that is fun while it lasts but its shelf-life is very short indeed.

This may sound a rather bleak way of looking at the beginning of a new year, but it is the reality for most. It is this reality that is being challenged by the words with which I began this reflection: he came as a witness to testify to the light … the true light which enlightens everyone. In the famous opening to John’s gospel we hear of Jesus, the Word of God that became flesh and lived among us. We also hear of the herald of the Word, John the Baptist, the prophet who came as a witness to testify to the light, that is the light of Christ that now shines in this world.

As we read these inspired and inspiring verses we also read of a world whose people did not accept him, that is the Word that was in the beginning with God. These words recognize that in the hearts and minds of many, the notion of God coming into this world to revitalize his covenant with humanity, and to bring redemption and hope to all, is too difficult a concept because it challenges the ‘comfortable’ lifestyles and routines we have created for ourselves.

As we leave the old year, and as we stand at the gateway to a new year, we are being given yet another opportunity to step out with new resolve. Not a trivial resolve that is centred on weight loss, healthier habits or our need to be ‘nicer’ people, rather a resolve to be more resolute in the way we live out and share our faith in Jesus Christ.

The shortest day of the year is now behind us and we are moving forward into new times. As the days lengthen we are being challenged to join John, and all who have followed him, testifying to the light … the light, which will, with our help, enlighten everyone. As our feeble self-serving resolutions fade into oblivion, let us pray that our resolve to be better disciples and apostles may be strengthened every single day of the new year that is opening for us at the end of this day.

Listen to a simple service of prayer and reflection centred on Luke 2.36-40 for 30 December

Today’s reading carries on from yesterday’s account of Simeon’s encounter with the baby Jesus. Today we read of how Anna, a prophet, came forward and began to praise God. Unlike Simeon’s words, she uttered a prophecy in which she spoke of the child who would bring about the redemption of Jerusalem. Anna had lived and worshipped in the temple for many years. She had resided in the house of God where she had spent her time with fasting and prayer night and day. This account of the prophet Anna should encourage us as we strive to live lives of faith.

Anna’s long life is important as we reflect upon today’s words from Luke’s gospel. Anna had known the tragedy of widowhood and she had lived into old age. There must have been times during her eighty-four years when she would have struggled to maintain her daily discipline of fasting and prayer. But, Anna had an impressive ancestry which she could trace back to the tribe of Asher, the eighth of Jacob’s twelve sons. In the Old Testament we read of the prospering of the tribe of Asher, and of its spiritual shallowness and lack of devotion. Unlike other tribes of Israel the story of the tribe of Asher peters out as its reluctance to come to the aid of others led to its being carried off into bondage. But then we read of Anna of the tribe of Asher.

This brief historical pen-picture provides us with our challenge for today. Anna was a woman in a man’s world, a widow, a person of poverty, a survivor; she was also a devout person who faithfully redressed the tribe which had betrayed its calling many centuries earlier; as a prophet she was a student of scripture and an evangelist of Jesus Christ. We know that Jesus grew in wisdom and would eventually redeem humanity. But, as time continues to roll on, God calls us to pick up the model we are given in the life of Anna, the prophet, who fasted and prayed in the temple night and day. Let us pray that we might fulfil that calling in joy, the joy of the Christ-child who grew and became strong, filled with wisdom.

Listen to a simple service of prayer and reflection centred on Luke 2.22-35 for 29 December

The birth of a new baby should be a time of celebration and great joy. The miracle of new life is something that should move us to tears of rejoicing and thankfulness. Today’s reading opens with the moment when all of that joy is being demonstrated as Mary and Joseph brought their new-born son to be presented to the Lord. Just as we see people gather at services of baptism in a spirit of festivity and good cheer, so people would have gathered around the Holy Family as their special son was designated as holy to the Lord.

The presentation of Jesus in the temple was, of course, far from being a matter of religious routine. The Son of God was being presented to his Heavenly Father in the holiest of places, the temple in Jerusalem. On this unique occasion in the history of the human race, there was someone present whose words and actions did not only confirm all that had been foretold, but also pointed towards that which lay in the future.

Simeon was an old man. We are told that he was righteous and devout, and that he had been told that he would not die before seeing the long-awaited Messiah. On the day of Jesus’ presentation in the temple, Simeon felt guided by the Spirit and he, too, came into the temple. Then, as the rituals were performed around the boy, Simeon saw that God’s promise was being fulfilled … he recognized the baby he took in his arms as being the Messiah, and then he uttered the words we know as the Nunc Dimittis. Simeon’s joy must have known no bounds as he held the baby close to his heart and told everyone in whose presence they were standing.

Simeon’s words were not all words of joy, however. Simeon foresaw moments of conflict and division and he had a particular message for Mary: and a sword will pierce your own soul too. As post-resurrection people we know what lay ahead. We know that there will come a time of betrayal and execution. But, we also know that there will be a moment of ultimate triumph and joy. The challenge for us today is to keep our eyes open for Christ’s victory beyond the cross, and not let ourselves become side-tracked by the persecutions and agonies that lined the way to that moment of ultimate joy. Let us pray that, no matter what may befall us in the coming times, we might remain strong in the faith as we proclaim the joy of recognizing Christ in all we say and do.

Listen to a simple service of prayer and reflection centred on Matthew 2.13-18 for 28 December, the Festival of The Holy Innocents