Sparking the Light

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