1 Epiphany January 13, 2019
First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-9
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. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching. Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the LORD, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.
1. How does this servant in Isaiah differ from the typical rulers of the earth?
Psalm 89:20-29 Page 715, BCP
Misericordias Domini
20
I have found David my servant; *
with my holy oil have I anointed him.
21
My hand will hold him fast *
and my arm will make him strong.
22
No enemy shall deceive him, *
nor any wicked man bring him down.
23
I will crush his foes before him *
and strike down those who hate him.
24
My faithfulness and love shall be with him, *
and he shall be victorious through my Name.
25
I shall make his dominion extend *
from the Great Sea to the River.
26
He will say to me, 'You are my Father, *
my God, and the rock of my salvation.'
27
I will make him my firstborn *
and higher than the kings of the earth.
28
I will keep my love for him for ever, *
and my covenant will stand firm for him.
29
I will establish his line for ever *
and his throne as the days of heaven."
1. What victories has God brought about in your life?
Epistle Reading: Acts 10:34-38
Peter began to speak to Cornelius and his relatives and close friends: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ-- he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
1. How do we make the Good News of Jesus Christ accessible to all?
The Gospel: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."