“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” On the First Sunday after Epiphany, we heard the Father’s voice, speaking from heaven as Jesus was baptized. Today is the last Sunday of the Epiphany season, and we hear the Father’s voice once again. On the Mount of Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah speak with Jesus. Peter, James and John are eyewitnesses. The voices of Moses, Elijah, Peter, James and John are singing in harmony with the voice of the Father. They are preparing us to descend into the valley of the season of Lent.

Welcome to the last Sunday in Epiphany. Epiphany is a season of revealing who Jesus is. He is the Son of God. He is the promised Messiah. He is the one who calls people into discipleship with Him. He is the one who will give His life for the sins of the world. Such an important person of our faith should be at its center.

While we fear losing religious freedom, what does religious freedom actually look like? How can we make sure to retain it?

The Beatitudes are a beloved portion of the Bible. Its words have been captured and used in art, posters, tapestries and social media posts. Christians have marveled and contemplated these words of Jesus for centuries. The Beatitudes are more than the opening words of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, they are an invitation.

Matthew loves to show us how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. In our Gospel lesson today, Matthew quotes the prophet Isaiah, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” The Galilean ministry of our Lord Jesus began with the same sermon John the Baptist had been preaching down south in Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” As Jesus preaches, the kingdom comes, and He begins to gather a group of disciples.

When life is difficult, it’s hard to recognize Jesus being active among us, but John gives us clues how to find Him.