Reading:
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your builder marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. (Isaiah 62: 1-5) Reflection: I recently received a stunningly beautiful arrangement of flowers. But, as flowers go, they began to wilt and fade. Not to be simply tossed away, I instead started to pull apart the arrangement to take to the compost pile to become fertile soil again for the gardens. I noticed the greens were still in good shape, so I kept them in the vase as a reminder of lasting life. When they are spent, the vase will still hold hope for flowers again someday. Delightful. As I smiled over the gift given then, I will rejoice again. Our reading today is one of beauty, wilting, hope and delight. As I treasured something of beauty and tended it, The Lord will make his people shine. As the flowers faded and I found hope in the greens, God’s people will not be left desolate. As I continue to delight in the gift I received, God delights in us. Let us all rejoice! --Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear God, thank you for calling us yours. Thank you for not leaving us forsaken but rather tending us with care so that you may delight in us, and all may rejoice. Amen Our devotions are based on this Sunday’s Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). The RCL is a three-year cycle of readings telling the story of our Christian faith and corresponding to the season church calendar. On any given Sunday, we are hearing and praying and examining the same Scripture with millions of Christians around the world. In our current Year C, the Old Testament readings progress through the Prophets and have the theme of the day that it is connected to the Gospel reading. The Psalm, a song the congregation sings in response to the Old Testament reading, most often corresponds to the theme of the Hebrew Lessons and/or that of the Gospel Lesson. The lesson from the Epistles or from Acts typifies the church’s focus on the meaning of Christ for today. The Gospel lesson is connected to the season of the Church Year. This year, our gospel readings are from Luke, who writes that Jesus is the universal Savior and the perfect Son of Man. In the current season of Epiphany, Christ is revealed, the disciples are called, and we see the early ministry of Jesus.
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