Epiphany

"The knowledge of God is a mountain, steep indeed, and difficult to climb" (Gregory of Nyssa). As we grow in our faith, there are moments when it feels as if we have been climbing for years. Sometimes we find ourselves on the wrong path and must turn around. And then there are moments when we reach the top of a beautiful vista. And then we discover that the journey continues, calling us ever forward.

Here is the wonderfully good news for today, Christ reminds us again and again that the distance between this world and the kingdom of God is a lot shorter than we think. God has transformed the most ordinary and basic of lives into salt and light. So, be salty! Be light! Not as a goal to achieve, but as a life to live because that is what you already are.

First, we don’t receive grace upon grace because we live lives worthy of the gospel. We receive grace upon grace because we are beloved by God. It might be easier to try to fulfill the conditions to receive a blessing than to simply accept one. We feel the need to be worthy. Second, God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. Our mission is to remember that we are all beloved and to live as though it is true.

This is who we are: People of faith on whom light has shone coming together to bring food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, clothing for the naked, healthcare for the sick, visits to the imprisoned, and welcome to the refugee. This is our witness. This is our Epiphany, a time to recognize Christ present, born into the world, affirming our humanity, and seeking and sowing grace. May we be Epiphany light.

In today’s gospel story, we glimpse the first two disciples and the beginning of their journey with Jesus. These disciples responded to the invitation to “come and see” and chose to follow Jesus with their questions, doubts, hopes, and fears, bringing their full selves and lives into this commitment. Throughout their journey with Christ and each other, they grew, lived, and served. Through them, God’s work was accomplished, and the good news of God’s love was shared. This wor

Today is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and, by association, the feast of all our baptisms. We celebrate the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry just as we celebrate baptism as the beginning of our ministry. May we dream of a church that is serious about God’s love.