Fifth Sunday of Epiphany (Year A)
Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017
Theme: Salt and Light
(Today’s Gospel reading is the second
in a series from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, in four or six parts, through the
Seventh Sunday of Epiphany or Ash Wednesday. Doing a six-part series requires
going off lectionary for Transfiguration Sunday, Feb. 26. Both options will be
posted that week.)
Intro:
Keep imagining
yourself in this tight circle of disciples on the hillside beyond the Sea of
Galilee. Jesus just started his opening thoughts to his disciples in this
Sermon on the Mount. The word “sermon” makes it sound like Jesus was preaching
to a crowd, but this is an intimate, introductory conversation with his
disciples, who had no idea what to expect from this young teacher, or, for that
matter, what he will expect from them.
Onlookers
begin to come nearer, drawn by Jesus’ insightful interpretations of the
scriptures. But you are oblivious in your inner circle – you are captivated by
this young man – he speaks with a presence and authority far behind any teacher
you’ve heard.
Epiphany—a word which itself means
appearing or showing forth—is a season that beckons us to ponder what it is
that God desires to manifest through us, and to wrestle with what hinders this.
There is much, both within us and without, that works against savoring and
shining. Recognizing and resisting the bushels that threaten the light is a
practice and a journey all its own. It can be terrifying, these days, to see
the ease with which so many of us accept the dimming, allow the bushels that
diminish our light as we give over discernment and freedom in exchange for
seeming security.
– Jan Richardson,
The Painted Prayerbook
Reflection: Salt
and light. Jesus hardly could have chosen two more common or vital substances
to bring into the start of his discussion. After proclaiming his disciples’
blessedness in the first 12 verses of this teaching, now he calls them salt of
the earth and light of the world.
Salt. A pinch
added to water, a dash in a cake, a sprinkle on our food. We hardly think about
salt, but you know the disciples did. Salt was a critical commodity: a food
preservative, an antiseptic, an expected gift of hospitality, a symbol of
purity in religious rituals, and even a currency for trade. Salt is a critical
part of one’s diet, so it was essential for maintaining health.
People of the
first century had no free-flowing iodized salt poured out of a Morton’s salt
container or from a shaker. It was crushed from rock salt, flavorful and fresh,
like the freshly ground salt and pepper from our table mills. Salt that was
leftover in the grinding process was not as flavorful as freshly ground salt
just crushed in the mortar.
Light. We are
so spoiled by electricity that we hardly think about lanterns. Yet trimming
wicks, having an abundant supply of lamp oil and the careful use of lamps was
part of their life. Without lamps and lamp oil, these disciples and their
families were limited by daylight hours, during which people plied their trade
– fishermen fished, carpenters constructed, tentmakers sewed. A lamp on a
lampstand would illumine the entire house, creating space for social and family
time.
Salt of the
earth, light of the world. Critical elements to life, and creating a life of
community. Jesus was commissioning his disciples on that hillside to become a
renewed hope for the world. I picture this talk with the disciples as much more
like a dialogue than a sermon, Matthew just writing Jesus’ main points. Imagine
Jesus looking into your eyes: “The Creator of the world wanted so much more for
creation – a world of mercy, a world of justice, a world of love. You are the
salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Don’t let anything drain
your community, put out your lights. Yes, the law still exists. But live the law through the lens of love.”
It’s a
refrain from history into eternity. Isaiah forewarned the people of what they
were doing – creating rituals without meaning and letting go of community.
Letting some people remain in physical, economic or spiritual bondage. Every
yoke needed to be broken to usher in the kingdom.
Paul picked
up the refrain, writing to the church at Corinth. He says I made this simple.
Jesus, the unifier, laid down his life for all. God, not human wisdom, reveals
truth. All people have access to the Spirit, we all have the mind of the
Christ. Live in this unity, live in love.
Those first
disciples took up the mantle to speak, to act, to love like Jesus, to become
and spread this Good News far and wide, to this day. It is impossible to read
words out of this Sermon on the Mount and not feel like they were meant for
you, personally. YOU are the salt of the earth. YOU are the light of the world.
YOU are essential. YOU are community. Pour yourself out.
Shine for all to see.
Faith App: Consider eating by lamplight or
candlelight one time this week as the “light of the world” enters your daily
life. What feels different about the light from a flame? Think about or discuss
ways to be someone’s light. Perhaps a new routine to take Sunday’s
worship and lessons into the week.
HYMN/SONG SUGGESTIONS
Christ, Be Our Light, ELW 715
This Little Light of Mine, ELW 677
(The verses I remember as a
child fit the text better)
1. This little light of mine, I’m gonna
let it shine…
2. Hide it under a bushel, NO, I’m gonna
let it shine…
3. Won’t let this world blow it out, I’m
gonna let it shine…
4. Shine all over the neighborhood, I’m
gonna let it shine
5. The little light of mine, I’m gonna let
it shine
Gather Us In, ELW 532
O Word of God Incarnate, ELW 514
O God of Light, ELW 507
Go, My Children, with My Blessing, ELW 543
Sent Forth by God’s Blessing, ELW 547
Shine, Matt
Redman
Do Something, Matthew
West
We Are, Kari
Jobe
Glow in the Dark, Jason Gray
Love Come to Life, Big Daddy Weave
Pushing Back the Dark, Josh Wilson
With Every Act of Love, Jason Gray
LESSONS
Isaiah
58:1-9a (9b-12) The sacrifice
the Lord wants is acts of justice, mercy and love.
Psalm 112:
1-9 Happy are those
who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in his commandments.
1
Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16)
I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God in lofty words.
Matthew 5:13-20 Let your light shine before others.
Summary of
the Lessons: Jesus’
beginner’s instructions, lesson 2 – Salt and Light. The love of God must shine
through and flavor everything we disciples do. Keep the law and the commandments, not to
impress God or others, but as the shared ground for life together and to glorify
God.
OPENING LITANY based on Psalm 112:1-9
L: Praise the Lord for
those on right path!
C: Everybody who walks
with the Lord is blessed;
L: Rich are their
households with God’s abundant love,
C: Models of faith for
generations to come!
L: Praise the Lord –
their lights shine forth!
C: Mercy and kindness
brightens their way,
L: Their generosity a
beacon for all to follow,
C: God’s justice prevails
in all that they do.
L: Praise the Lord for
the courageous ones!
C: Caring for the poor,
the hungry, the refugee;
L: Fearless in heart,
standing firm in truth,
C: God’s people will
honor them forever and ever.
CONFESSION
L: Lord, we confess our
lights are dimmed these days;
C: Flickering in the ill
winds of confrontational politics,
L: Burning low from the
disrepair of our hearts’ wicks,
C: Dwindling as we run
low on the oil of study and prayer.
L: Lord, we confess our
salt has lost its flavor today;
C: Left out as we fill
our schedules with other tasks,
L: Left at home as we
doubt we could share your name,
C: Left behind when our
lives and worship don’t connect.
L: Lord, we confess we
aren’t hungry for good works this day;
C: When the world’s needs
are bigger than our resources,
L: When our work for
justice collide with government policies,
C: When our families and
friends belittle the efforts we make.
L: For our resistance to let our lights fully shine, Lord have
mercy,
C: For watering down the salt you’ve provided us, Christ have
mercy.
(Silent
reflection)
L: In our confession, we
pray together,
C: Most Merciful God … you
call us to be salt for the earth and light for the world. But our energy and
our good intentions alone quickly are subdued by the powers and problems of
this world. We wander so far from the source of our light and strength that we
are ineffective. Recharge us today, Lord, with your Spirit and your Word, that
we would be of good use in your kingdom.
Hear this
Good News: The power of God is with you.
You will be renewed and rise in the darkness as a light for the upright: gracious,
merciful and righteous. Let your lights so shine before others, that they may
see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. You are restored
and set right with God. Be light and salt for all.
In the name
of…
Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
L: We pray together,
C: Renewing God … fill
us with your salt and your light, essential elements of life and community.
Keep challenging us to pour out and radiate all that you give us for the life
of this world. Gather us as a people who seek to know your ways, so your Spirit
can replenish us through heartfelt praise and worship. Amen.
COMMUNION BLESSING
L: We pray together,
C: We give thanks, most gracious God, for the
salt of determination in this bread, the light of hope in this cup. Send us out, radiant and strong, filled with
this meal and your Spirit. Keep us working in your ways, always showing others
the way of your love. Alone, we have just a single beam of light, a pinch of
flavor, but joined together for your kingdom work, we are powerful beyond our
greatest expectations. Amen.
SENDING
L: We are salt, so that the world can taste
God’s goodness;
C: We are light, so that the world can see God’s
lovingkindness;
L: We are the city on the hill, so our light
won’t be hidden,
C: Rising in the darkness, to reflect God’s
glorious Light.
L: Go now, Spirit-filled and shining brightly,
to love and to serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God!
First Reading Isaiah 58:1-9a
[9b-12] (NRSV)
Setting
the Scene: This
passage comes from the third section of Isaiah – most biblical scholars see
Isaiah as three parts with three authors. This part came after the people
returned from exile in Babylon. They are frustrated with God’s presence, and
the author is frustrated with them.
Shout out, do not hold back!
Lift up your voice
like a trumpet!
Announce to my people their rebellion,
to the house of Jacob
their sins.
Yet day after day they seek me
and delight to know my
ways,
as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness
and did not forsake
the ordinance of their God;
they ask of me righteous judgments,
they delight to draw
near to God.
“Why do we fast, but you do not see?
Why humble ourselves,
but you do not notice?”
Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day,
and oppress all your
workers.
Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
and to strike with a
wicked fist.
Such fasting as you do today
will not make your
voice heard on high.
Is such the fast that I choose,
a day to humble
oneself?
Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush,
and to lie in
sackcloth and ashes?
Will you call this a fast,
a day acceptable to
the LORD?
Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of
injustice,
to undo the thongs of
the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every
yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide
yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall
spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you,
the glory of the LORD
shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
you shall cry for
help, and he will say, Here I am.
[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.
The
LORD will guide you continually,
and satisfy your needs in parched places,
and make your bones strong;
and you
shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters never fail.
Your
ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many
generations;
you
shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to live in.]
Second Reading 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (NRSV)
Setting
the Scene: Paul
continues his letter to the Corinthian church he founded. He reminds them how
his attempts at an eloquent presentation of the Good News in Athens failed
miserably. To them, he kept it simple, just words about Jesus and his death on
the cross.
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come
proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided
to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to
you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my
proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration
of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom
but on the power of God.
Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a
wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But
we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for
our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had,
they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the human heart
conceived,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the
Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what human being knows
what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one
comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. Now we have received
not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may
understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. [And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but
taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual.
Those
who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are
foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are
spiritually discerned. Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are
themselves subject to no one else’s scrutiny.
“For
who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?”
But we
have the mind of Christ.]
Gospel Matthew 5:13-20 (NRSV)
Setting
the Scene: Jesus
continues his Sermon on the Mount to his disciples as his earliest teaching in
Matthew. Notably, these same teachings are presented as a summary in the Sermon
on the Plain in the sixth chapter of Luke.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste,
how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is
thrown out and trampled under foot.
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot
be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on
the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let
your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give
glory to your Father in heaven.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the
prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you,
until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter,
will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one
of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be
called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them
will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your
righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter
the kingdom of heaven.
