A Level Place

Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany (Year C)

Luke 6.17-26

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook page (beginning  at 21:00)

 

Today we hear the beginning of what is often referred to as the “Sermon on the Plain.” Not to be confused with the Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew’s Gospel. Although there certainly are some similarities. And some differences. While an event is often recorded in more than one Gospel, the accounts of the same event, the details, can vary across Gospels. But in this case, the differences are significant enough that the Sermon on the Mount and the Sermon the Plain are likely completely different events, but with some parallel themes. After all, it is not unreasonable to assume that, given the amount of preaching and teaching Jesus did, he may well have had a basic outline that he followed. The differences between these two famous sermons indicating that Jesus likely modified his message based on his audience or their context.

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Being Called

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany (Year C)

Isaiah 6.1-8; 1 Corinthians 15.1-11; Luke 5.1-11

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook page (beginning at 23:10)

 

Thus far in our Epiphanytide journey, we have been exploring the various forms Epiphany takes. The word “epiphany” meaning manifestation or revelation. For us, in this context, Epiphany being the various ways in which Jesus is revealed as Messiah to and for all people. So far, those various epiphanies have been in more public contexts: the coming of the Magi, Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan River, the changing of water into wine at the wedding at Cana, and Jesus beginning his public ministry with a sermon at the synagogue in Nazareth. All these events making a public proclamation in some form or fashion, while also revealing qualities and attributes of who Jesus is and of the nature of his ministry.

 

But in today’s Gospel, we have a revelation, an epiphany, of a more personal nature. Further revelation of who Jesus is through an encounter with an individual. Revelation of how Jesus operates through individuals. All packaged in an invitation to join him in ministry. What we commonly refer to as “being called.” The Gospel, and actually all the scripture readings we heard today, being what we commonly refer to as “call narratives.” Examination of these call narratives revealing something about who Jesus is—or in the case of the Old Testament reading, about who God is—and collectively, about how God and Christ are revealed and operate in the world. How God and Christ operate in the lives of those invited into service of the Kingdom.

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Presentation of Our Lord and of Ourselves

Presentation of Our Lord

Luke 2.22-40

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook page (beginning at 20:15)

 

Today we have the joy of celebrating a feast day that, while occurring every year, only falls on a Sunday once every six years. An occasion when we interrupt our regular course of Epiphany readings to focus on a very special event in our communal life. Although, even then, by the sheer nature of the day and what it symbolizes, even this special day is, in itself, an Epiphany story: a story of manifestation, of revelation. Yes, today we celebrate the Feast of St. Phil of Punxsutawney. Also known as Groundhog Day.

 

Now, of course I’m being facetious—I know, such a shock. While today is Groundhog Day for secular society, in the Church February 2^nd is the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. Occurring forty days after Christmas, this is the celebration of what used to be referred to as the Purification of Mary. Under Mosaic law, a woman giving birth to a male child is considered ritually unclean for a period of forty days. During this time, she is barred from touching anything holy or from entering a house of worship. On the day of her purification, she must present herself to a priest to make atonement on her behalf, offering a sacrifice of a lamb, a pair of pigeons, or a pair of turtledoves, depending on financial means. Only then shall she be considered ritually clean once more.

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