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Granddaughter Sam and fiance Doug have an interesting wall hanging. This is a picture of the Earth taken from space, with blue background, black country lines and a shiny gold trim where the lights shine and the people are. Lots of lights for metropolitan areas, especially Bosnywash; even Binghamton has its share of lights. But the deeper meaning for me is that there are immense sections of the world without any lights at all! Scripture texts to be read this weekend remind the hearer that there are many dark places and that the community of Christ–the Church–is entrusted with lighting them.

ISAIAH 58:1-12 is God’s remonstrance to a yet unrealized People: “If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, THEN your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday…” You may remember that First Isaiah (Isaiah of Jerusalem, chapters 1-39) spoke words of encouragement to those preparing for Exile; and that Second Isaiah (Isaiah of Babylon, chapters 40-55) gave hope to those returning from Exile–and now “Third Isaiah” (c.550?, chapters 54-66) portrays YHWH as being disappointed that this restored group is too self-centered to be a Holy Community. “…as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God…”! There’s an un-holy gap here between “Belief” and “Practice”. Is worship an individual matter, or are we strengthed by the community in mission?

I CORINTHIANS 2:1-12 is pretty heavy: Paul is telling the Church there that what we do TOGETHER is what really matters. The Apostle says that his entrance there was not an exercise in heavenly wisdom but “a demonstration of the Spirit”; that is, he tried to put his money where his mouth was, to “walk the walk and not just talk the talk”. Part of the point is that God’s Wisdom is an alternative to worldly sense as we are tempted to practice it. The diverse Corinthian congregations struggled as we do to understand mission as a corporate function.

MATTHEW 5:13-20 continues with the Sermon on the Mount, which addresses two fundamental questions: Who are we? and What are we to do? Here is presented the famous “You are the light of the world”. But being this Light is only preparatory to SHARING this Light! Jesus is calling those who would follow him into a stature of righteousness, that is Justice & Mercy. He’s attempting to form a community based on the reality of the Law & the Prophets–but as God would see this reality, better than human nearsightedness would have it. The Light of which we speak is that which illumines even the dark corners and presents the monsters that live there as what they really are.

Charles James Cook writes in FEASTING on the WORD (A 1:336), “In order for the light to be seen, we must be willing to go where the darkness exists.” East side? West side? All around the town?

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Every Tuesday the lectionary scriptures for the upcoming weekend are lifted up here: come join us at horacebrownking.com

Many years ago, a newlywed couple went shopping for Christmas decorations. In a big-box store they found an angel for the tree. She was the only one left, and the price was greatly reduced. Shop-worn, her rubber face was grimy & stained. Her green hair was an absolute mess. Did we buy her? You bet! For years & years she sat on our annual Yule tree, reminding all & sundry that there’s a place even for the Angel With a Dirty Face. Scriptures to be read this weekend bear out this allegory: we who are hopeful yet tarnished hear yet again a holy message of redemption, inviting us to God’s Kingdom even though we may have a dirty face…

We turn to MICAH 6:1-8 for a word from the Older Testament: the prophet contrasts the opulent gifts by which we try to buy God’s Presence to the real requirements–“to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” The preacher could spend time exploring the brokenness of a failed rebuilding of the Promised Land; or talk about the current racial & economic injustice, the lack of compassion in neighborhoods and the unkindness of not trying to understand the pain behind mass shootings. Although this text springs from an ancient disappointment in a redeemed people, the contemporary need to hear is just as great. Is God still disappointed?

The Apostle Paul seems very concerned about the congregation(s?) he planted in Corinth. (I CORINTHIANS 1:18-31) These diverse people were reluctant to claim the cross of Christ as “foolishness”; yet “God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength”. This passage calls folks from all backgrounds into a redeemed community. Here we can permit persons to express their faith despite phony barriers of money, birth or previous ills. “God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing the things that are.”

The Beatitudes of MATTHEW 5:1-12 are the beginnings of the Sermon on the Mount, a heavenly claim that there ARE alternatives to the business-as-usual of “me first”. We need to say loudly–again–that these blessings are NOT a laundry list of how to get to heaven, but they acknowledge that the bumper-sticker is right: “Stuff Happens”. And even when we’ve messed up again, God is there to pick us up, to dry our tears, and, yes, Bless Us! These Blessings remind us poor in spirit that God loves us anyway; what a gift to angels with dirt on their faces.

I’ve always liked Wm. Cowper’s hymn, which concludes, “”Though vine nor fig tree neither Their wonted fruit should bear, Though all the field should wither, nor flocks nor herds be there; Yet God the same abiding, [God’s] praise shall tune my voice, For while in [God] confiding, I cannot but rejoice.” !!

In the Process of Unfolding, Horace Brown King

Please join me each Tuesday as we explore scriptural lessons which are to be read during the upcoming weekend; at horacebrownking.com

In the 1800″s, there were many traveling circuses, carnivals and troupes of actors which moved from town to town, offering entertainment to local residents. In these days before electronic gadgets, they would send a couple of fellows to the place where they’d be in a few weeks: one to beat the drum loudly, the other to hand out flyers as to date and specific location. All traveling salesmen soon were considered “drummers”, attempting to drum up business. The weekend’s scriptures call out to all of you drummers to announce positively that the Realm of God is nearer than you think.

We begin with the oracle of ISAIAH 9:1-4, a song of praise for all of God’s graces, even to a people on the brink of war (c.740 BC). Already the northern lands (Zebulon & Naphtali) had yielded to the Assyrians, and Galilee was darkened by conquest. BUT “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light”, and now they live in prosperity and the yoke of their burden has been broken by Divine Intercession. Here begins a “new” understanding of God’s inclusiveness: God has yet again entered history. Even in the face of the break-up of the Nation, a great light that shows the character of God dawns. For us moderns, we can bear all the system’s corruption, bathed in the light of God’s stubborn plan of redemption. Who will tell the system?

I CORINTHIANS 1:10-18 continues Paul’s greeting to the Church there, and addresses the question of Who Baptized Who. The congregation was bickering about who was better; Paul maintained that what was important is being baptized in JESUS’ name, whoever the officiant was. “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to proclaim the gospel.” Instead of grumping around, the Church is reminded that making the good announcement was pre-eminent. St. Francis is reputed to have said, “Preach constantly; use words when necessary.”

The Gospel comes from MATTHEW 4:12-23, dealing with Jesus establishing a home-base in Capernaum, and the calling of his fisherman pals–Andrew & Simon, James & John. But tucked in the middle of this (v.17) comes the message of Christ: “Repent, for the kingdom of God has come near!” Turn around/rethink your path, hear the drummer that says that the reign of God is coming soon! This is not making an escape, but welcoming the divine change to our systems and cultures which is on track to happen. Not “SomeDay”, rather “just over the horizon”. Drop what you’re doing (mending fish-nets?) and get involved TODAY with this important announcement.

William Barclay helped my thoughts immensely, and steers us out with the following (THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, I, 87-88): “Reverse your direction, and stop walking away from God and begin walking towards God. The command had become urgently necessary because the reign of God was about to begin. Eternity had invaded time; God had invaded earth in Jesus Christ and therefore it was of paramount importance that each man and each woman should choose the right side and the right direction.”

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Every Tuesday we meet here to glean some direction from the Scriptures assigned to the upcoming weekend. Come join us at horacebrownking.com

Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away, I was a Boy Scout. One of the skills our troop learned was how to start a fire, Not by rubbing two sticks together, but by striking a flinty rock with a steel file. The idea was to strike a significant spark and let it fall into a container that already held charred cloth. The resulting flame could warm your hands and cook your evening meal. It was a lot of work: easier to carry a match! Scripture texts read this weekend have to do with the small group that will speak out and bring in God’s Kingdom.

We begin with ISAIAH 49:1-7, an oracle given by Isaiah of Babylon to remind the returning exiles that they really are important in the grand scheme of things: “I will give YOU (Israel) as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Not just a personal righteousness with a local deity, but the People are called to be the spark of ignition for a worldwide flame! This may have been more than they bargained for; it usually is, says this clergyman who thought he was retiring… They thought they were going Home, but it looks like a mission trip. Epiphany–the Season of “AHA!”–lifts this message to the entire Church: we’re not called to CARRY the light, we’re called to BE the light!

The Epistle is I CORINTHIANS 1:1-9, in which Paul claims his own role as a disciple and commends the Corinthian Church for its diversity in spiritual gifts. The hearer needs to remember that Corinth was a most cosmopolitan place, where sailors & merchants from all lands plied their trade. The “ends of the earth” were gathered and handy, a fine place for the Church to disseminate the Gospel and to publicly practice its life-changing message. Please note that such practice is not done by human effort, but only by the strength of Grace. Today’s hearers are challenged to determine where God is leading them…

Not surprisingly, on this Day of Light, the Gospel is read from that of JOHN, the evangelist of Light (1:29-42). After Baptism, Jesus was walking by a group of John the Baptizer’s disciples. John announced Jesus as “the Lamb of God”, perhaps referring to Passover and Good Friday all in one symbol. Andrew and another followed Jesus to find out more: “Where are you staying?” and Jesus follows Gospel tradition by inviting them, “Come and see”. Andrew was so enraptured that he brought his brother Simon to be introduced. Jesus called him the Rock, or Peter/Cephas.

In January, I like to hunker down by the fire and tell tales of Long Ago. UNH-UNH, says the Spirit: evidently the People are called this day to embrace the light of today’s unfolding mission and face unafraid the plans that they’ve made, walking in our YHWH’s wonderland.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Come and see on Tuesdays what God is preparing to tell us through these readings assigned to the upcoming weekend; wrestled with some agony at horacebrownking.com

My weird sense of humor always appreciates the stand-up monologue where the comedian is interrupted by a ringing phone. Comedian: “Hello…You don’t say!” and after a few seconds, “You don’t say!” and then again, “You don’t say!” This goes on for a few more times, then you can hear the phone hang up. Voice from off stage shouts, “WELL, WHO WAS IT??” Comedian: “He didn’t say.” Sometimes the Words from God fall on deaf ears. Fortunately, we have scribes who DO hear and pass the message or something like it to US. This weekend we remember the Baptism of the Lord, and notice how holy words do come to those who need to hear…

The first message this day comes in the words of Isaiah of Babylon, ISAIAH 42:1-9. He speaks of the Servant who comes to bring justice to the nations. Although Jesus will quote some of these words later to his hometown synagogue, the message revealed here by the prophet pertains to the whole community of Israel. The People about to be restored to Israel are to be a light to the nations, and to free the prisoners (is this a metaphor for those locked down by hard feelings, anger & grudges?). Even if we’re bruised and our fire is sputtering, the Servant continues to uphold this new commission.

The second reading is from THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, 10:34-43. It recounts Peter’s justification for the baptism of some Gentiles: “In every nation anyone who [respects God]and does what is right is acceptable to [God]”. Evidently that’s another difference between human business as usual and God’s divine excess. Peter, who insisted on “Jewishness” for new Christians, now understands the universality of the Servant’s message.

The event of Jesus’ baptism by John is told this year in the words of MATTHEW 3:13-17. The core of it is the image of the heavens ripped open and the dove of the Spirit plunging onto Jesus. And a Holy Voice came to him (them?), saying “this is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” Not everyone heard the Voice, alas. Worldly ways are still in power, denying justice to Others and excluding righteousness for the oppressed and imprisoned. The five verses can call the hearers to be immersed themselves as God’s People made sacred–again.

As a would-be mystic, I wholeheartedly believe that God speaks to us constantly. I also believe that there are Thin Places where these messages become more clear. Yet even in the traffic’s roaring boom can be heard the steady word that God loves us just as we are, and expects us to respond in our commitment to justice and righteousness.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Join me each Tuesday at horacebrownking.com to be confronted by biblical texts intended to be read in worship during the upcoming weekend.