Epiphany Light

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 -- The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Year One

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 942)
Psalms 46, 97 (morning) 96, 100 (evening)
Isaiah 52:7-10
Revelation 21:22-27
Matthew 12:14-21

We've all seen the newsreels of the celebrations in the streets at the announcement of the peace that ended World War II. What joy and celebration! Even in pictures and images of black-and-white, the happiness of that announcement is moving and breathtaking.

Isaiah opens our reading today with a messenger bringing the announcement of peace. "Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem." God has delivered them. The city exults.

The gospel image from Matthew offers a quieter joy. I thought for a moment I had looked wrong at the first verse -- "But the Pharisees went and conspired against him, how to destroy him." Surely that's not where we are starting our Epiphany reading. But under this dark cloud is exactly where we begin. Quietly, out of sight, Jesus leaves the public view and does his gentle work of healing. Matthew says that he is fulfilling the word of Isaiah's servant, who brings justice to victory without loud posturing or dramatic affect. "He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope."

How many quiet, out-of-sight people and ministries bring justice and victory to people who are marginalized or threatened? This is the presence of God's servant, bringing peace and healing the world.

What does that feel like? Maybe the vision of Revelation gives us a clue. It is important to realize that the geography of the book of Revelation is primarily an internal geography, a map of the soul and of the spiritual landscape. (Biblical literalists with their predictions of end times miss this.) We see a vision of the new Jerusalem, the city of the new creation. (Think of the seat of your soul.) There is no need for a building to house God -- no need for a temple -- for God is present and alive at the center. God's glory is the soul's light. It is a light that guides the foreign nations and kings as well as those who know themselves as God's chosen. There is an exchange -- trade, if you will -- of glory for glory, light for light. From the center of the soul light issues, and drawn toward that light, others bring their glory. The light casts out the dark and unclean and false.

I have seen that kind of vision. I know people of deep inner light. Quietly, out of sight usually, they do their work of reconciliation, healing and peace. They announce peace to those who have been conflicted. They reassure and comfort those who are afflicted. Often they tend to know each other, these gentle people of light. They may come from different spiritual traditions, but their inner light and presence is palpable. When they speak of the light they have known, recognition happens across the barriers of religion and origin. These are the people who bring congruence to a world that is often so lost and fragmented. These are the people who can bring light to our cities.

Let them be manifest. Let the gentle people who bear Christ's light by whatever name come forth to guide us and lead us. We've had enough of the schemes of the proud and the manipulative. Let the light of the gentle and peaceful arise and shine. Epiphany.

Lowell

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About Morning Reflections
Morning Reflections is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life

We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Lowell Grisham, Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas