Show Notes
In this fifth week after Epiphany, Case walks us through a reflection on the universality of salvation in Christ and our calling to bear witness to the work of God in each of our lives.
Nuance’s Formed for Formation is a weekly liturgy to encourage all of us to be faithful to Christ in the public square. Join Case Thorp as he follows the Church calendar through the reading of Scripture, prayer, and short reflections on faith in all facets of public life.
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Episode Transcript
Theme for Reflection
Today we find ourselves in the season of Epiphany. This season of the Christian year emphasizes the visit of the Magi, the Baptism of Jesus, and the moment of Transfiguration. An overarching theme during this time of the year is the universal importance of salvation in Christ.
Psalm 116: 1-8
I love the Lord, for He heard my voice;
He heard my cry for mercy.
Because He turned his ear to me,
I will call on Him as long as I live.
The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“Lord, save me!”
The Lord is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the unwary;
when I was brought low, He saved me.
Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.
For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling.
A Reflection for the Public Square
Faithfulness in public places like your work or your school, at the bowling alley or Little League, can be hard for us. To speak of Jesus in our lives and share comfortably, we’ve got to be convinced of his universal applicable message and that we are surrounded by his work of redemption and restoration.
Universal, meaning that Jesus is for all and about all. His work on the cross along with his teaching apply to all cultures in all times and places. Without this universal application, we find the God we follow is one voice among many and really no God at all.
Now, this universality of the gospel is by no means a reason for unwarranted pride on our part, haughtiness or being the know -it -all of the group. That actually isn’t love and turns off the ears of many. Rather, this acknowledgement of Christ’s universality allows us an existential rest in Him.
We can relax and know that He is in charge. We can trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to do His good work in the lives of others, and that we don’t have to force it. We can let go of that desire to control. We can keep doing as asked by Jesus in the Gospels. Bear witness to the Gospel at work in our lives.
Let me say that again: bear witness to the work of God in your life to others. Keep that the focus rather than necessarily their wrong beliefs or their wrong actions. If we do that, God takes care of the rest. As we’ll celebrate on the last day of the Christian year in November, Christ is King. Praise be to God.
Matthew 3: 13-16
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.
A prayer inspired by an Epiphany blessing from St Patrick’s in Brighton, Michigan
O Lord, hear my prayer. And let my cry come unto You.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and will be forever.
From the East, you came to the Magi, then brought them to Bethlehem to adore you, Lord. Opening their treasures, they offered precious gifts, gold for the great King, incense for you, Lord, and myrrh as a symbol of your one day to be burial. All they from Sheba shall come bringing gold and frankincense, as we in Scripture.
Lord God, who by the guidance of a star on this day, manifest Your only begotten Son to the Gentiles. Mercifully grant that we who know You by faith may also attain the vision of Your glorious majesty. Through Christ our Lord.
Be enlightened, be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for your light has come and the glory of You, God, is risen upon us all.
May Gentiles walk in Your light and kings in the splendor of Your rising, And may Your glory rise evermore.
O Lord, God Almighty, bless us. Bless our hearts and may they be Your home. That in it, we may find health and purity, strength for victory, humility, goodness and mercy. Fulfill Your law in and through us.
We give You thanks, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
