Bruce G. Epperly

3rd Sunday of Easter

May 7, 2000
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Liturgies

Reading 2: 
Psalm 4
Reading 3: 
Acts 3:12-19 or 1 John 3:1-7
Reading 4: 
Luke 24:36b-48
By Bruce G. Epperly

Easter Weeks 3-6

Transfiguration Sunday (Last Sunday after Epiphany)

February 22, 2009
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Reading 1: 
2 Kings 2:1-12
Reading 2: 
Psalm 50:1-6
Reading 3: 
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Reading 4: 
Mark 9:2-9
By Bruce G. Epperly

The scriptures for Transfiguration Sunday invite us into a world of wonders in which we can experience divine light shining in and through all things. Today is a day for mystics—and for mystics to be—and for those who believe in miracles. While some use the word “supernatural” to describe the miraculous, in my understanding of miracles, grounded in the insights of process theology, there is no dualism of God and the world, sacred and secular, or divine causality and natural causality in these scriptures.

6th Sunday after Epiphany

February 15, 2009
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Reading 1: 
2 Kings 5:1-14
Reading 2: 
Psalm 30
Reading 3: 
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Reading 4: 
Mark 1:40-45
By Bruce G. Epperly

Today’s lectionary readings can be read through the lens of an interchange between Jesus and a man suffering from a life-changing skin disease. The man calls out to Jesus, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with compassion, pity, or anger, or all three emotions, depending the translation, Jesus responds in both deed—by stretching out his hand—and word, “I do choose. Be made clean.” Three healings occur simultaneously: theological healing, physical healing, and relational healing.

5th Sunday after Epiphany

February 8, 2009
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Reading 1: 
Isaiah 40:21-31
Reading 2: 
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
Reading 3: 
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Reading 4: 
Mark 1:29-39
By Bruce G. Epperly

“Have you not known have you not heard” . . . where you stand in the universe, O mortals? Today’s passages join the cosmic and infinitesimal, the infinite and the intimate, and the grandeur of the universe and the wonder of each moment of experience.

4th Sunday after Epiphany

February 1, 2009
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Reading 1: 
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Reading 2: 
Psalm 111
Reading 3: 
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Reading 4: 
Mark 1:21-28
By Bruce G. Epperly

As I read today’s lectionary readings, I was struck by the passage related to prophesy, found in Deuteronomy 18:15-20. While the fit is not exact among the readings, one pathway to preaching this Sunday is to see the lectionary readings in light of the meaning of the prophetic word and the vocation of prophet in our time as well as in the ancient past.

3rd Sunday after Epiphany

January 25, 2009
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Reading 1: 
Jonah 3:1-10
Reading 2: 
Psalm 62:5-12
Reading 3: 
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Reading 4: 
Mark 1:14-20
By Bruce G. Epperly

Today’s scripture readings invite us to explore the interplay of decision and transformation on both a personal and corporate basis. Decision-making is inherent in human, and all creaturely, experience. Each moment arises from our creative response to our environment, previous decisions, personal health and history, the call of God, and other conscious and unconscious factors. While we are greatly determined by our environment and the impact of the past, each moment provides the opportunity to choose anew and take a small step toward personal and communal transformation.

2nd Sunday after Epiphany

January 18, 2009
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Reading 1: 
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)
Reading 2: 
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
Reading 3: 
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Reading 4: 
John 1:43-51
By Bruce G. Epperly

Today’s scriptures invite us to take an adventure in spiritual awareness. With John Calvin, the lectionary passages assert the intimate relationship between knowledge of God and our own self-awareness. If God is constantly present in our lives, luring us forward with possibilities, synchronous encounters, dreams, and inclinations, then an important aspect of the spiritual journey is cultivating awareness of God in the ordinary as well as extraordinary moments of life.

2nd Sunday after Epiphany

January 19, 2003
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Reading 1: 
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)
Reading 2: 
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
Reading 3: 
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Reading 4: 
John 1:43-51
By Bruce G. Epperly

Contributed by Bruce Epperly and Anna Rollins

Loving the Wonder-Full
The passages for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany portray the many dimensions of God’s presence in our lives. In all situations and encounters, God is present as the giver and receiver of the Abundance of life. Despite what is going on in our lives, there are no godless or godforsaken moments. As Isaiah 6:4 proclaims, “the whole earth is full of God’s glory.”

Baptism of Christ

January 11, 2009
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Reading 1: 
Genesis 1:1-5
Reading 2: 
Psalm 29
Reading 3: 
Acts 19:1-7
Reading 4: 
Mark 1:4-11
By Bruce G. Epperly

The season of Epiphany celebrates the generosity of divine revelation abundantly bestowed throughout the earth. Not restricted to the Judaism, or later Christianity, revelation embraces magi from the East and the Gentile world. On the Sunday in which the church celebrates the Baptism of Jesus, Christians may boldly proclaim the revealing power of word and sacrament, but they are also called to see God’s revelation in all things and in the many religious traditions of our world.

Baptism of Christ

January 12, 2003
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Reading 1: 
Genesis 1:1-5
Reading 2: 
Psalm 29
Reading 3: 
Acts 19:1-7
Reading 4: 
Mark 1:4-11
By Bruce G. Epperly

Contributed by Bruce Epperly and Anna Rollins

When Power Meets Possibility . . .
What happens when Power meets Possibility in that constant creative process we call God? The scripture readings for this week reveal the surprises that occur when Divine energy flows into the concreteness of everyday life.

3rd Sunday after Epiphany

January 27, 2008
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Reading 1: 
Isaiah 9:1-4
Reading 2: 
Psalm 27:1, 4-9
Reading 3: 
I Corinthians 1:10-18
Reading 4: 
Matthew 4:12-23
By Bruce G. Epperly

“The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light.” In those words of promise, Isaiah portrays the joy of liberation and safety. Those who were lost have now found their way and are celebrating the bounties of harvest and home.

3rd Sunday after Epiphany

January 27, 2002
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Reading 1: 
Isaiah 9:1-4
Reading 2: 
Psalm 27:1,4-9
Reading 3: 
I Corinthians 1:10-18
Reading 4: 
Matthew 4:12-23
By Bruce G. Epperly

Commentary by Bruce Epperly & Anna Rollins

2nd Sunday after Epiphany

January 20, 2002
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Reading 1: 
Isaiah 49:1-7
Reading 2: 
Psalm 40:1-11
Reading 3: 
I Corinthians 1:1-9
Reading 4: 
John 1: 29-42
By Bruce G. Epperly

Contributed by Bruce G. Epperly & Anna Rollins

What does it mean to be called by God? In the Isaiah passage, the prophet speaks of a divine vocation that began with his conception. Within the matrix of possibilities, God envisaged a broad plan for the prophet even before he emerged from his mother’s womb.

1st Sunday after Epiphany

January 13, 2002
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Reading 1: 
Isaiah 42:1-9
Reading 2: 
Psalm 29
Reading 3: 
Acts 10:34-43
Reading 4: 
Matthew 3:13-17
By Bruce G. Epperly

What does it mean to be "chosen?" This is the theme of the First Sunday after Epiphany.

Isaiah speaks of one being chosen to be a "light to the nations," Psalm 29 describes all creation as a chosen vehicle for the revelation of divine power and wisdom, and the historical reading from Acts affirms that all persons, Jews and foreigners, are chosen for God’s salvation. In that same spirit, the Gospel affirms the choice of Jesus as God’s vehicle of salvation and invites each one of us to claim the Christ spirit in our own lives.

2nd Sunday after Christmas

January 2, 2005
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Reading 1: 
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Reading 2: 
Psalm 147:12-20
Reading 3: 
Ephesians 1:3-14
Reading 4: 
John 1:10-18
By Bruce G. Epperly

In the days that lie ahead, we invite you to share in an adventure of vision. Epiphany is about experiencing God’s Holy Adventure in all things from the daily tasks of parenting, working, and service to remarkable experiences of insight and mysticism. In Epiphany, we open ourselves to Divine omnipresence and Divine omni-activity –to the Holy One who is present in each breath and who guides in every encounter. The God of scripture is dynamic and relational.

Epiphany

January 6, 2008
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Reading 1: 
Isaiah 60:1-6
Reading 2: 
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Reading 3: 
Ephesians 3:1-12
Reading 4: 
Matthew 2:1-12
By Bruce G. Epperly

“Arise, shine; for your light has come!” Epiphany is the season of illumination, highlighting God’s revelation to all humankind. The magi from the East pay homage to the Christ Child and all creation experiences God’s glory. The juxtaposition of light and darkness in Isaiah’s passage is spiritual and ethical, rather than cultural or ontological. God’s revealing light, while challenging to self-interested and nationalistic political leaders, is truly good news for all humankind, even those who flee its revealing.

Epiphany

January 6, 2002
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Reading 1: 
Isaiah 60:1-6
Reading 2: 
Psalm 72:1-7,10-14
Reading 3: 
Ephesians 3:1-12
Reading 4: 
Matthew 2:1-12
By Bruce G. Epperly

Contributed by Bruce G. Epperly and Anna Rollins

2nd Sunday after Christmas

January 4, 2009
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See also:
John Cobb on Incarnation

Daniel Day Williams on Incarnation
Preaching Christmas

Reading 1: 
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Reading 2: 
Psalm 147:12-20
Reading 3: 
Ephesians 1:3-14
Reading 4: 
John 1:1-18
By Bruce G. Epperly

Today’s passages describe future hopes that transform our attitudes toward the challenges of our present circumstances. God’s horizon of hope beckons us forward, reminding us of the giftedness of the present moment both personally and within our communities of faith. The nature of this future is not spelled out, nor are our visions of hope guaranteed of success. Nevertheless, the God who provides hopeful visions for the future will continue to inspire us every step of the way, even if we travel homeward – like the magi - by unexpected paths.

2nd Sunday after Christmas

January 5, 2003
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Reading 1: 
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Reading 2: 
Psalm 147:12-20
Reading 3: 
Ephesians 1:3-14
Reading 4: 
John 1:(1-9), 10-18
Alt Reading 2: 
Wisdom of Solomon 10:15-21
Alt Reading 1: 
Sirach 24:1-12
By Bruce G. Epperly

Bruce G. Epperly and Anna Rollins

1st Sunday after Christmas

December 28, 2008
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See also:
John Cobb on Incarnation

Daniel Day Williams on Incarnation
Preaching Christmas

Reading 1: 
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Reading 2: 
Psalm 148
Reading 3: 
Galatians 4:4-7
Reading 4: 
Luke 2:22-40
By Bruce G. Epperly

Traditionally, the Sunday after Christmas is one of the “low” Sundays of the Christian year. After the wonder, majesty, and crowds of Christmas Eve, often the Sunday after Christmas is a liturgical and spiritual “let down” for pastors and parishioners alike. Yet, this “low” Sunday invites us to a “high” and generous Christology and a lively, expansive vision of divine revelation.

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