Scriptures for Sunday, Jan. 27

Sunday, January 27, 2008
3 Epiphany, Year A
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary


How to use this page:

Print this and read a different passage each day and think about it. Some questions are offered to help stimulate your reflection. You'll find your experience of worship on Sunday will be intensified.

For a method to read and pray with the scriptures you might try to use the ancient practice of Lectio Divina (Divine Reading). I've written some instructions on how to use Lectio with the Sunday Scriptures at the following link: http://stpaulsfay.org/id272.html

Collect
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


The Scriptures

Isaiah 9:1-4
Psalm 27:1,5-13
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Mathew 4:12-23

Old Testament: Isaiah (9:1-4)

There will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness--
on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.

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Galilee is a province that is deeply influenced by foreign presence, a long way in geography and culture from the heart of Israel. Isaiah sees joy and liberation coming from this benighted land.
Why is it significant that Jesus came from Galilee?
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Psalm (27:1, 5-13) Dominus illuminatio

God is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? *
God is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?

One thing have I asked of you, O God; one thing I seek: *
that I may dwell in your house all the days of my life,

To behold your fair beauty, O God, *
and to seek you in your temple.

For in the day of trouble you shall keep me safe in your shelter; *
you shall hide me in the secrecy of your dwelling and set me high upon a rock.

Even now you lift up my head *
above my enemies round about me.

Therefore I will offer in your dwelling an oblation with sounds of great gladness; *
I will sing and make music to you.

Hearken to my voice, O Most High, when I call; *
have mercy on me and answer me.

You speak in my heart and say, "Seek my face." *
Your face, O God, will I seek.

Hide not your face from me, *
nor turn away your servant in displeasure.

You have been my helper; cast me not away; *
do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.

Saint Helena Psalter

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The psalmist seems to be speaking from a place of threat or fear from enemies. How does the psalmist deal with the anxiety?
How do you seek God's face?
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1 Corinthians (1:10-18)

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
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Is it troubling or comforting to know that there were quarrels and divisions within the early Church and Paul's congregations?
What does the last sentenced of this passage mean to you?
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The Gospel
Matthew (4:12-23)

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
"Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--
the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned."

From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea -- for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

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What do you think John's arrest meant to Jesus?
What did it mean to these fishermen to leave their work and follow Jesus?
Why do you think they did it?