It surely is a period of Change: many of our long-held cultural and social expectations no longer have the same values as they once did. The current American political scene demonstrates the crunch between those who cling to the Old (and often imaginary) Ways and want to Make America Great (?) Again; and those who celebrate the process of diversity in race, religion and gender-understanding. Nostalgia fails to recognize the dark side of injustice and intolerance, as many will soon be disappointed to find out. During this adjustment of the mythos–the AmericanDream–we cynics are prone to claim that our Land has been abandoned by God. Our faith-crisis craves hearing these words during worship this weekend:
“But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish,” says Isaiah of Jerusalem (9:1). “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….” Why were these lands contemptible? They’d been the buffer between ancient super-powers: their economies and political loyalties seemed always to be on the wrong side. Maybe this land is cursed! But “those who lived in a land of deep darkness–on them light has shined.” (v.2) Finally! The end of bleakness is foreseeable, for the Light of the World is indeed drawing near! God is taking action in Creation, if only we could see.
St. Paul continues his remonstrance to the Corinthian believers, who could scarcely believe that this Light included them (1:10-18). So cut out the quarreling and posturing, already! “You [are to] be united in the same mind and the same purpose.” Was God really interested in reclaiming this strange and God-forsaken seaport? Paul’s prayer was actually for discernment: that the people who’d gotten used to walking in darkness could make out a Holy Presence there, even there. Who’da guessed?
Matthew’s Gospel (4:12-23) is mostly about the discernment of those whom Jesus had called to be with him, as he walked nearby. But don’t ignore v.13, “[Jesus] left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali…” Matthew’s purpose was to impress his Hebrew audience with the fulfillment of Isaiah’s words examined earlier. And “from that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'” (v.17)
It’s a moral tale, isn’t it? In the bottom of the year, Epiphany brings a light which gradually dawns into an AHA! The lands of Zebulun and Naphtali are being blessed as Jesus comes to live there. Why, then, would OUR land (which I cynically consider as God-forsaken) not also be enlightened as well? And where can I look, this week, to discern a Holy Presence, a Divine Intervention? Come quickly, Lord Jesus…
God Bless Us,Every One Horace Brown King
My comments on scripture passages assigned for the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this space on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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