Reflections from the Reverend M. Dion Thompson
Week of January 29, 2012
SPIRITUAL GIANTS – This week we remember Timothy and Titus, companions of Paul and tireless workers in spreading the Gospel. These two men played major roles in Paul’s missionary journeys. During the Apostle’s work in Greece, we can read how Timothy made a follow-up trip to Thessalonica and brought back news that the young church was holding on, despite persecutions. In 2nd Corinthians, we read about Titus bringing back reassuring news of that church’s progress. The stories of Timothy and Titus remind us of the varied roles and gifts needed in the Church. Paul could not do his missionary work alone. Countless others were needed to be the hands, feet and heart of Jesus Christ in the world. Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus, known as the Pastoral Epistles, give us a glimpse of the early missionary teaching. They also detail the trust Paul had in his young helpers. He sent Timothy to Ephesus to minister to the faithful in that city. Titus stayed behind at Crete to build up the young church and keep it safe from heresy. Who knows what would have become of Christianity without the service of Timothy, Titus and others, known and unknown. If you’re looking to baptize yourself in their story, stop by the Wednesday evening Bible Study, which is currently reading the Pastoral Epistles. The group meets at 6 p.m. Here is a prayer for Timothy and Titus, whose Feast Day is Jan. 26th: “Almighty God, you called Timothy and Titus to be evangelists and teachers, and made them strong to endure hardship: Strengthen us to stand fast in adversity, and to live godly and righteous lives in this present time, that with sure confidence we may look for our blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
And so we move from Christmas and into Epiphany, we enter a time of
contemplating the many manifestations of Jesus Christ. Holy Scripture and our
lectionary present three main events in the coming weeks to mark this season.
The first is the story of the magi, the three wise men we find in Matthew’s
gospel. While Herod, the Jewish king, seeks to destroy the Christ child, the
magi come to give praise and honor. In this sense, the gentile world recognizes
Jesus. Next there is his baptism by John the Baptist. A voice comes from heaven,
saying, “You are my beloved in whom I am well-pleased.” Another
manifestation, or Epiphany, occurs there at the Jordan river. The season of
Epiphany ends with the Transfiguration and the revelation of the glory of Jesus
Christ to his chosen disciples. These stories again call us to a spiritual walk
with Jesus, to find in his stories manifestations of his presence in our own
lives. The first known reference to the ecclesiastical feast of Epiphany occurs
in the writings of a Roman historian in 361. This year the Epiphany season ends
on February 21st. Here is the prayer for the feast of Epiphany, which
occurred on January 6th: “O
God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the
earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith to your presence, where we may see
your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
ANGLICAN CYLE OF PRAYER – We are asked to pray for the people of the Diocese of Albany and their bishop, the Rt. Rev. William Love; for the Diocese of the Amazon, Brazil, and its bishop, the Rt. Rev. Saulo Mauricio de Barros; and we pray for our fellow Episcopalians worshiping at Transfiguration, Braddock Heights.
PRAISE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST!
ALLELUIA!
ALLELUIA. CHRIST IS RISEN!
THE LORD IS RISEN INDEED. ALLELUIA!