What's Next? Adorn Yourself With Christ
As we approach the end of the Epiphany Season, the themes in the prayer book get very practical and indirectly, are challenging us to ask, "What's next?"
JOURNEY FROM CHRISTMAS TO EPIPHANY TO LENT
Christ has come to us in Christmas, and He has been made manifest to us as the Son of God these last few Sundays. Wise men came from the east and recognized his glory - the priests and doctors of the temple conversed with him while he was still a young boy, and were taken with his knowledge of God and of the Scriptures... In Cana, he turned a mediocre wedding into a feast with great wine, and last Sunday, we read of Jesus divine healing ministry among the lepors, and His touch of the man withered hand - all of these are pointing to the fact that Jesus is the Messiah, the one whom Simeon saw and said “My eyes have seen thy salvation”.. The whole season of Epiphany is a continually reminder of Christ's Empowering presence in this world.
Christ has come to us in Christmas, and He has been made manifest to us as the Son of God these last few Sundays. Wise men came from the east and recognized his glory - the priests and doctors of the temple conversed with him while he was still a young boy, and were taken with his knowledge of God and of the Scriptures... In Cana, he turned a mediocre wedding into a feast with great wine, and last Sunday, we read of Jesus divine healing ministry among the lepors, and His touch of the man withered hand - all of these are pointing to the fact that Jesus is the Messiah, the one whom Simeon saw and said “My eyes have seen thy salvation”.. The whole season of Epiphany is a continually reminder of Christ's Empowering presence in this world.
Today is not only the 5th Sunday in Epiphany, but Super bowl Sunday - there’s no escaping this knowledge even if you’re not a football fan, trust me, I’ve tried. The supermarket, the radio, and even the barber shops are all gearing up for this event. But before the Football players get onto the field, they must put on their proper apparel. Their apparel is not just to look good - flashing the teams colors, their apparel is extremely functional. If they don’t wear the proper gear on the field, they will get hurt. But if they wear the right gear - comfortable shoes, a protective helmet and solid pads - they can do really well.
ADORNED WITH CHRIST
The Christian has an apparel too. In Colossians, we are exhorted to put on Christ and his virtues. Why? Because , as St Paul told us earlier in the book, the whole fulness of the Godhead dwells in Christ -- this is thee Epiphany point -- and as baptized members of that new community, are lives are “In Christ.” Those who live in Christ need to have the right gear to fully participate in the life of Christ’s Church, and to go out into the world, sharing the love of Christ with the world.THE VIRTUES OF CHRIST & THE LOVE OF CHRIST
So, What’s next? We are to cloth ourselves in compassion, kindness, humbleness, meekness, longsuffering, forbearance and forgivness.. This sounds like a lot to remember. St. Paul summed this up in one word - LOVE - he says, Above all, put on Charity (or love), which is the bond of perfectness. As we are told elsewhere in Scripture, we can hold to every precious virtue, but if we do not do it in love, it is meaningless.
THE WORD OF CHRIST
To live up to the exhortation of the collect where the church is “kept” in and “defended” we must also adorn ourselves with the Word of Christ, which is to “Dwell in us richly”. The Word of Christ must penetrate every aspect of our lives, and out of this, the love of Christ will flow, and virtuous living will be part of who we are in Christ.The Word of Christ begins to dwell in us, by an active participation on our behalf. The best way to begin our week "in Christ", is by participation at the Eucharist, where we receive the Word through the scriptures and the sacrament. We further develop the virtues of Christ through our disciplines of Morning and Evening Prayer throughout the week, meeting Christ back at the Altar next Sunday.As we begin to leave behind Epiphany, we must adorn ourselves with Christ’s love, and the empowering presence of his Word in Our lives, so that as we approach Lent, we may stand firm in our faith, being able to stand against the wiles of the devil.+In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
So, What’s next? We are to cloth ourselves in compassion, kindness, humbleness, meekness, longsuffering, forbearance and forgivness.. This sounds like a lot to remember. St. Paul summed this up in one word - LOVE - he says, Above all, put on Charity (or love), which is the bond of perfectness. As we are told elsewhere in Scripture, we can hold to every precious virtue, but if we do not do it in love, it is meaningless.
THE WORD OF CHRIST
To live up to the exhortation of the collect where the church is “kept” in and “defended” we must also adorn ourselves with the Word of Christ, which is to “Dwell in us richly”. The Word of Christ must penetrate every aspect of our lives, and out of this, the love of Christ will flow, and virtuous living will be part of who we are in Christ.The Word of Christ begins to dwell in us, by an active participation on our behalf. The best way to begin our week "in Christ", is by participation at the Eucharist, where we receive the Word through the scriptures and the sacrament. We further develop the virtues of Christ through our disciplines of Morning and Evening Prayer throughout the week, meeting Christ back at the Altar next Sunday.As we begin to leave behind Epiphany, we must adorn ourselves with Christ’s love, and the empowering presence of his Word in Our lives, so that as we approach Lent, we may stand firm in our faith, being able to stand against the wiles of the devil.+In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Epiphany 5 Meditation
April 6, 7:30 AM Eucharist
Colossians 3 :12
Colossians 3 :12
