Sometimes in life you just have to take a break. And, so it is, that I now return to writing my monthly column for the church newsletter. I must admit that following my literary lapse, I may be more rusty than refreshed. However, I am also keenly aware of a pervasive sense of rejuvenation in the church right now, as if things are both excitingly new yet warmly familiar at the same time. I’m sure you feel it too. It took me awhile to put my finger on it and then a bit longer to let myself completely embrace it, but now, in this season after the Epiphany, I feel I can finally fully welcome it. Yes, that’s right, The Revised Common Lectionary, that determines all of the bible readings each Sunday from now until forever, has come to the end of its three year cycle and, in this season after the Epiphany, we are now basking in the light of Year A which began with Advent.
Epiphany is easily my favorite of the liturgical seasons. Who doesn’t love the story of the Three Wise Men who were twelve days late for the birth of Jesus, bringing him precious gifts from afar? And I have always been particularly fond of the notion that when Herod tried to trick them into coming back to tell him where they found the newborn Messiah, the Magi outsmarted the evil king and snuck home by a different road. That’s what you get when you try to trick a wise man.
It is also important, or at least mildly interesting, to remember that this season is made up of days after, not of, Epiphany. Epiphany is a day, described above, always January 6, twelve days after Christmas, immediately following the drummers drumming. The rest of the season are the days after The Epiphany and within the liturgical year are technically Common Time. After all the demands of the Christmas season, I can sure appreciate some good common time.
During this period of Common Time, The Gospel lessons follow the ministry and teachings of Jesus. In January we began with Jesus’ baptism and followed with two accounts of the calling of the disciples. In Years B and C we then hear stories of healings and other various miracles, but Year A focuses on readings from Matthew and that means the Sermon on the Mount, which our Gospel readings will follow sequentially for the first three weeks of this month. February 2nd is the introduction to Jesus’ most elevated sermon known as the Beatitudes. On February 9th we hear words of salt and light and the importance of keeping the Law. February 16th is the beginning of Matthew’s Antitheses where Jesus’ repeated refrain is “You have heard it said, but…”. Sadly, whoever decided that Easter would come on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Vernal equinox (no kidding) and thus be a movable date, has cheated us out of the last two of these antitheses because Easter isn’t late enough this year to have enough Sundays after the Epiphany. If only we could squeeze in another week, we would hear Jesus’ teachings to turn the other cheek and love our enemies. I highly recommend doing both those things anyway. The last Sunday of February is also the last of the Sundays after the Epiphany when, in all three years, we read the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration on the mountaintop and is our last chance to sing (and say) Alleluias before the Holy season of Lent.
Throughout this season, as well as the entire liturgical year, all of our music is carefully chosen to enhance the experience of the lectionary readings each Sunday. As part of my pursuit of possibly purposeful prose, I will also contribute a few brief notes about the music each week. I hope you will look for the connections between the music and the lessons and that it might add yet another dynamic to your experience of the Word of God.
