The Messenger – January 2019

The Messenger – January 2019

PJ’s Page –

In the month of January we will move from the liturgical seasons (church seasons) of Christmas to the Feast of Epiphany and the Sundays following.  During those Sundays, the readings emphasize and reveal to us how Jesus is made known in the world.  We will know Jesus as the Magi find him, in baptism, at a wedding, and teaching in the temple. 

It leads me to wonder:  How do WE know Jesus?  Where is Jesus as savior, made known in 2019 (I’ll have to practice writing that!)? 

This is my challenge for us as a community of faith this year.  Let’s pay attention to our neighborhoods, friends, families, schools, and even our congregation in an attempt to be present enough to see where Jesus is being made known. 

We can be sure that after Jesus ascended into heaven, his presence didn’t just come to a full stop.  He even said that he would send another advocate and comforter, the Spirit of truth.  The Holy Spirit. 

So, as we look around us, wherever we are, at work or school, in traffic or in a meeting, let’s see how Jesus is being made known. 

As I write this, it is still Advent, but let me offer an example of where I’ve seen Jesus made known:

The other day I was standing in the self checkout line at the grocery store.  There were two women in front of me and when a register became open the woman who was next in line didn’t see it.  She wasn’t looking at her phone or otherwise distracted, she was just lost in her thoughts.  The woman behind her gently said “There you go…it’s your turn.”  The first woman turned, her face filled with surprise and thanked the other woman for the gentle, non scolding tone.  She thanked her for being kind.  And then the three of us talked about how, if we would just be kind in the small things, the world would be so much better.  I saw Jesus in both of those women.  In the kindness of the second woman and in the gratitude of the first.  It was such a small encounter.  It was such an important encounter. 

So, keep watch (an Advent phrase).  Lift up your eyes and look around (a phrase from the reading from Isaiah on Epiphany Sunday).  Signs of the reign of the love of Christ are all around us.  We only have to look to see them.

Keeping Watch With You,

Pastor Julie+