Greetings on the fifth Sunday after the Epiphany as society observes Super Bowl Sunday as this Epiphany season draws to a close next week.
Our invitation to worship asks God to free us from our sins so we can recognize the abundance in our lives. Our first lesson from Isaiah chides Israel for going through the motions and half-heartedly performing worship as opposed to true worship. The psalmist offers a song inviting Israel to recognize their bounty and give thanks for that bounty. The reading from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians tells that church that the message of Christ is not a mystery, rather it is a message of hope and encouragement to seek Christ in all they do. The reading from Matthew’s gospel is the continuation of the Beatitudes and calls for true worship and adherence to being salt and light to focus our society on Christ.
Our worship and readings remind us that God’s bounty and guidance are sufficient for us to be what we are called to be and do what we are called to do. We are reminded that we are empowered to be joyful and builders of community, not because we are perfect but because we are striving to be like Christ. Our lessons remind us that the situation in scripture was one where the imperial Rome, the legalistic religious community, and the practical Jewish people struggled to be faithful and godly in the pressures of society. The message which shines through is the foundation of our faith, like the common elements of salt and light, are what carries the most powerful message of hope and community. That we arrive at a deeper relationship with God is more important than how we get there.
How will you be salt and light in a world which is filled with darkness and bitterness? Who might need to be introduced to the simplicity of Christ? I invite your comments,
Les+
Lessons: Isaiah 58:1-12; Psalm 112:1-10; 1 Corinthians 2:1-16; Matthew 5:13-20
Sermon link: https://audiomack.com/fatherles-2/song/epiphany-5-sermon-1
