Slightly, ever so slightly, the daylight is getting longer. Today’s sky is January Blue, and sunshine pours into my study window so much that it’s difficult to see the screen upon which I write. The Weather Service tells us that the temperature is frigid, and I claim pathos for those who are less comfortable than I. There will be many more weeks of Winter–but they’re endurable with the gradual return of the light. People gathered in their communities of faith this weekend will receive gifts of light–and the commission to be active bearers of that light.
Isaiah of Babylon wrote to exiles mourning their homeland and traditions. “Their call to live as a family of faith within the family of nations was a distant echo.” (Richard F. Ward) They sat in darkness; was there no one to scratch a spark of hope? But “HERE is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations” (42:1) And later, “I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations…” (v.6b) What is this justice, this light? In the original, these seem to indicate “the true way/ how things ought to be”. Luke’s Gospel story tells that Jesus opened his public ministry by reading this passage in his hometown Nazareth synagogue, and telling the world, “TODAY this is fulfilled…”(Luke 4:18-19)
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles (10:34-43) is Peter’s baptismal sermon after baptising Cornelius, a Gentile Roman. We read it today to lift up the universality of God: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable him.” Anyone, it sez right here. Illegal immigrants, LGBT, convicts…even bigots and red-necks! Doing “what is right” is a phrase which could get lost, so we’d better refer back to the Isaiah passage about justice and light, “the true path” brought by Jesus….
The Gospel for the day is Matthew’s account of Jesus’ baptism, 3:13-17. “Suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.'” The author writes to the Jews, well-steeped in the Hebrew tradition, including Isaiah’s concept of the Servant. Here in this Season of Signs, we gladly receive both the Dove and the Voice as affirmations of our expectations. During this liturgical year we’ll be regularly examining “proofs” of Jesus being the Messiah…and the greater inclusion of “those others” in God’s loving care as well.
The people sitting next to you in church are yearning for the Light, more than you know. The Servant brings Justice and Light, and expects those called in righteousness to bear it throughout all the world: “to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.”
God Bless Us, Every One! Horace Brown King
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