Bruce G. Epperly

Once again, the lectionary asserts that mysticism leads to mission. The journey inward prompts the journey outward. Acts describes Paul’s visionary experience that leads him to change his plans and journey to Philippi. John suggests that we can “live” Christ’s word. Psalm 67 awakens us to living in a world of praise and Revelation challenges us to live with mindfulness and integrity.

Today’s readings integrate diversity and intimacy in light of the unitive power of love, both God’s and our own. A commitment to loving one another, despite our differences, may deliver us from the rampant acrimony that has infected politics and church life. God seeks diversity in non-human and human life, and faithfulness to God calls us to embrace difference, even theological and liturgical, as a gift from God.

Today’s scriptures describe God’s faithful and everlasting care. God is our companion in life and death, and, in the spirit of today’s readings, beyond. Resurrection is a whole-person and whole-creation reality that touches us in mind, body, and spirit.

This week’s lectionary readings focus on the vital, life-transforming breath of God. God’s Spirit breathes in and through us and all things, inspiring and transforming us and all humankind. God’s resurrection mercies are “new every morning.” The lectionary invites preachers and congregants to breathe in God’s creative and life-giving spirit and to explore spiritual practices such as breath prayer, the simple focus on your breath as a way of opening to the Holy Spirit.

Holy Saturday is the most neglected day in Holy Week. The celebrations of Palm Sunday, give way to the Last Supper of Holy Thursday, and the searing pain of Good Friday. On Holy Saturday, nothing happens. On Holy Saturday, we experience the silence of death. We don’t know whether the death of Jesus will be a tragedy, a hopeless defeat, or a comedy, an unexpected happy ending.

What does it mean to choose life? In one way or another, today’s lectionary passages present visions of life-supporting and life-destroying behaviors and attitudes. Once again, the Epiphany readings join spirituality and ethics on an institutional as well as personal basis.

Today’s readings describe a countercultural ethic and spirituality. Holistic in nature, the biblical tradition joins the theology, ethics, and spiritual formation of persons and communities. Good theology is always practical and life-changing. Theological reflection is judged by its fruits: Does it contribute to healing the earth? Does it bring reconciliation or alienation among peoples and nations? Does it promote our responsibilities to vulnerable and excluded people as well as to those who benefit from the social order?

Today’s scriptures provide words of encouragement for those who seek to be faithful in challenging times, especially when the pathway ahead is obscure. Take heart, God has been with you from the very beginning, God was moving in your conception, and God will guide you through every season of life.

The New Year’s revels of parties, parades, and football games have almost concluded. There will be a few more bowl games ahead as well as the onward march to the Super Bowl. In the spirit of New Year’s, some folks will be making resolutions and setting goals, typically about their diet and weight. With the celebration of New Year’s, there is a sense that we can start over, letting go of the past and becoming new persons. Well, as most of us know, the heaviness of the past remains, shaping our lives, even when we try to change them.

The First Sunday after Christmas presents the preacher with liturgical, spiritual, and theological challenges. The gospel reading selected by the lectionary committee (Matthew 2:13-23) plunges us directly into the holy family’s flight to Egypt and the “slaughter of the innocents.” Many pastors will be grateful for the respite of “low Sunday” or the opportunity to take a retreat following Christmas just to avoid addressing the text.