In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
This year is one that presents us with a unique situation. Epiphany came on a Sunday this year (yesterday, January 6). However, the time after Epiphany is really short this year. Next Sunday is the Baptism of our Lord, then the 2nd and 3rd Sundays after Epiphany, and boom, we are in Lent, with Easter only a few weeks away. The time after Epiphany, before Lent arrives, is a time to realize that Jesus came to earth for all people. As I mentioned in my sermon yesterday, Epiphany means “to show forth, appear, manifest.” One could relate it to a something that we probably did as children, which is to participate in “show and tell” at school. How many of us don’t like to show and tell??? That is primarily our message during Epiphany. Show others how God is working, and the TELL them about it as well.
Another example is that we can focus on the word “shine”. We can look at our baptismal liturgy and see the quote from Matthew 5 above. How can we shine in our own lives? The magi followed a star to the manger, a star that shined as a great light to them. As we follow the light of the world, Jesus Christ, how can we be a shining star for others? How can we guide them along the path to discipleship? How can we show and tell?
(Parts of today’s devotion comes from Sunday’s and Seasons, 2008)
In our prayers this week: Alma, Buddy, Ann, Linwood, Billy, Chris, Michael, and Brenten.
God's Peace,
