Holy Trinity Ankeny

Six days before the transfiguration of Jesus, he predicted his suffering, death and resurrection to his disciples. That is important because in the short span of one week, they experience Jesus as one who must suffer and as one who shines with the glory of God. What does Jesus' identity as the Son of God and Son of Humanity mean for us today?

One of the central images we have of Jesus is that he healed the sick, blind, leprous, and lame. What do we do with this image when so many are still so sick today? What of the Covid-19 victims who were apparently not healed, but died instead? Perhaps, healing means something different to Jesus? Something more?

In the daily grind of work, we can get worn down and burnt out. Jesus invites us to a new life of joy and purpose.

Today we hear the story of the Calling of Samuel. It takes courage to listen when God is calling and to respond to the call in humility and obedience. Your story is different than Samuel's, but just as important. You are called by name through the waters of baptism to the ministry of following Jesus.

Humans cannot survive, it seems, without establishing divisions between people. As a nation we are more divided than ever. Divisions between races, genders, sexual identity, class are tearing us apart. Is there any Good News that can address our fatal flaw of raising walls that divide? The Gospel of Mark offers a vision that begins in the baptism of Jesus.

Darkness is all around us in the form of disaster, disease and death. The only light that can truly illuminate is of God. Our effort to make our own light produces weak reflection and bulbs that burn out. So where do we find a light in the darkness that shines eternally? What is the source of the light that can dispel the despair of life? These are the questions of Epiphany. Maybe if we can look and listen, we will see!

Today's sermon is preached by Bishop Amy Current of the Southeastern Iowa Synod of the ELCA. We meet Simeon and Anna, two righteous, devout, and prophetic elderly adults who are waiting for the salvation of the world. Their waiting is over as the Christ child is revealed to them.

Celebrating Christmas this year is, for many, a lesson in disappointment and discouragement. The pandemic has robbed us of gatherings and traditions that bring comfort to the season. It is all very disorienting. Joseph and Mary experienced this kind of disorientation too. Caused by a census rather than a pandemic, the effect was no less jarring. Then God entered the scene and reoriented them to the new thing God was doing. Perhaps it is so with us.

Have you ever felt like a nobody? Have you felt like you just don't matter to the world? The truth is you matter to the church, you matter to the community of believers, and you matter to God.