The Season of Epiphany is that when human-folk begin to know the New Baby more thoroughly. Having journeyed to the manger, the spiritually wise find newness in their return…and now begin to open their senses to recognize a Holy Presence in all that is around them. This weekend’s lessons address the persistent voice–perhaps unknown ’til now–that begins to reveal God as being involved in the wholeness of culture, justice and society.
We begin with the familiar story of the boy Samuel (3:1-20), who is awakened from sleep three times by someone calling his name. Thinking it was his priest-mentor, old Eli, he presented himself for some late-night request. “Not I,” said Eli, “go back to bed.” Finally after three such occasions, Eli caught on: “This is the Lord; listen carefully, and tell me everything.” As you know, the message was one of complaint against Eli’s family…but the core of the reading for contemporary saints is the ultimate recognition of a Holy Voice.
Now, what to do with the passage aimed at the Corinthian Church (I 6:12-20)? Whether the bulk of this is from the hand of Paul or from a later redactor, it appears that a major concern of the congregation was lots of casual sex. Some have defined “fornication” as having sex without an emotional or loving involvement with one’s partner. Too many generations have shunned the God-gift of sexuality, when the problem has mainly been selfish fulfillment alone!
John’s Gospel account (1:43-51) tells of Jesus’ call to Philip and Nathanael. “Come and see”, said Jesus. “Come and see”, said Philip to skeptic Nathanael. Come and experience, come and get involved, paint your wagon and come along…! This time the Holy Summons wasn’t subtle, and both Philip and Nathanael quickly responded, the latter naming Jesus “Son of God, King of Israel”. When Jesus told Nathanael that he saw him “under the fig tree”, it meant that Nathanael was ready for this challenge. God had evidently been marinating these guys in the Holy Spirit, and now they were seasoned to go.
Each of us has their own recollection of where & when they first heard God; and all of them are valid. I was fortunate to have been in and around the church as early as I can remember, so I was well-steeped in soul-questions. I admitted to Christ as Lord and Guide somewhere around age 11; but again, this was a subtle process. I wasn’t quick to acknowledge my ministerial vocation, finally giving in during my first semester of working on a Master of Music degree. Even after, the trip hasn’t always been bagels ‘n’ lox: many Clouds of Unknowing and self-doubts attest to my humanity. However you may have heard a Holy Voice, be glad for that sacramental in-breaking–may you know that the Lord is with you!
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My wrestling with the scripture assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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