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Lection connection for January 6, 2017 Epiphany of the Lord can be found here.
First Reading and Psalm
- Isaiah 42:1-9
- Psalm 29
Second Reading
- Acts 10:34-43
Gospel
- Matthew 3:13-17
Full lections can be read here.
Based on the Readings as Set
Through Isaiah YAHWEH speaks of sending his chosen servant to bring about justice throughout the earth. He will be anointed with the divine Spirit, but his task will be accomplished without fanfare, almost unnoticed. All the same, a new era will dawn and in him a covenant will be given, blind eyes will be opened and prisoners set free. The Psalmist first calls all heaven to worship YAHWEH while arrayed in the splendor of holiness. And then he exults in the awesome power of YAHWEH’s mighty voice as he sits enthroned over all. May this great God grant strength and peace to his people! In Acts we read of how Peter, having had his own eyes opened to the truth, addresses the Gentile centurion Cornelius with the good news: God is not partial to the Jews after all: Jesus is Lord of all. Although he began his ministry among the Jews in the days of John the baptizer, his resurrection revealed him as judge of the living and the dead. Anyone who believes in him will be set free from his or her sins. In the Gospel, John the Baptist defers to Jesus as his superior but Jesus insists on undergoing baptism to fulfill all righteousness. His baptism culminates with his being anointed with the divine Spirit and the voice of God mightily proclaiming him as his beloved Son.
As Introductions
Old Testament
Through Isaiah YAHWEH speaks of sending his chosen servant to bring about justice throughout the earth. He will be anointed with the divine Spirit, but his task will be accomplished without fanfare, almost unnoticed. All the same, a new era will dawn and in him a covenant will be given, blind eyes will be opened and prisoners set free.
Psalm
The Psalmist first calls all heaven to worship YAHWEH while arrayed in the splendor of holiness. And then he exults in the awesome power of YAHWEH’s mighty voice as he sits enthroned over all. May this great God grant strength and peace to his people!
New Testament
Acts we read of how Peter, having had his own eyes opened to the truth, addresses the Gentile centurion Cornelius with the good news: God is not partial to the Jews after all: Jesus is Lord of all. Although he began his ministry among the Jews in the days of John the baptizer, his resurrection revealed him as judge of the living and the dead. Anyone who believes in him will be set free from his or her sins.
Gospel
In the Gospel, John the Baptist defers to Jesus as his superior but Jesus insists on undergoing baptism to fulfill all righteousness. His baptism culminates with his being anointed with the divine Spirit and the voice of God mightily proclaiming him as his beloved Son.