January 6: The Epiphany of our Lord (Matthew 2:1-12)

I think it was Alton Trueblood who said: "Christianity is just one generation from extinction!" That statement is a good reminder that it is up to us 21st Century disciples and ambassadors of Christ to share His Good News. This story of the Persian scholars seeking and finding the "king of the Jews" shows us that God has a way of recruiting the most unlikely followers - at least to us.

There was a lady who started worshipping at a church because she saw its sign. She and her husband became members.

May God use us as "signs" for Christ to welcome those near and far into the family of Christ.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, use us as signs of Christ's love and hospitality so that all those with whom we come into contact may be welcomed warmly and invited into God's royal family.

January 10: The Baptism of our Lord (Luke 3:15-17, 21-22)

Just as Jesus was baptized and thereby commissioned to begin His ministry of preaching, teaching, healing, feeding and befriending as God's "beloved Son", so we have been called, claimed and commissioned to continue that ministry through our baptism. It can be a good reminder when we make the sign of the cross on our forehead that we are God's royal children empowered by the Holy Spirit to be "little Christs" in all that we say and do.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, may we serve others as Christ has served us, knowing that You will use our gifts for the glory of God.

January 17: The Second Sunday after Epiphany (John 2:1-11)

This was the first of the "signs" Jesus performed according to the Gospel of John. These "signs" are demonstrations that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. Changing water into wine to save embarrassment at a wedding may seem like a minor miracle compared to healing the sick or raising the dead; but we can be sure that it was much appreciated by the wedding party and their families! All of the "signs" are proof that God loves us and wants the best for us. The last and most important "sign" in John is Christ's death on the cross. This, of course, shows the great depth of God's love and grace!

Prayer: Thank you, gracious God, for being by our side during minor crises as well as major ones.

January 18: The Confession of St. Peter (Matthew 16:13-19)

Caesarea Philippi was the site of an ancient Greek (and then Roman) temple carved out of a cliff. It was at this pagan place that Jesus popped the big question: "Who do you say that I am?" Peter's answer, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God", is the very foundation of our Christian faith. May the Holy Spirit continue to inspire us to not only proclaim Christ to the world, but to also "proudly bear his name."

Prayer: Holy Spirit, give us the boldness to proclaim Jesus gladly as our Lord and Savior.

January 24: The Third Sunday after Epiphany (Luke 4:14-21)

Fresh from his time of testing in the wilderness, Jesus has begun his ministry. After a short trip around Galilee, he visits his home town of Nazareth. At the synagogue on the Sabbath Jesus inaugurates the ministry God has called him to perform when he reads Isaiah 61:1-2. Jesus is the one sent to release the captives (the oppressed, the sick, the poor, the outcastes, the addicts, the idolaters, the helpless…all of us); and the one to give sight to the blind (whether it be physical or spiritual blindness).

Prayer: May we trust in you to liberate us, O Lord, and to give us the vision to follow you in all that we say and do.

January 25: The Conversion of St. Paul (Luke 21:10-19)

It is natural for us to cringe as we consider the suffering and persecution that many Christians have experienced (and will experience) for the cause of Christ. Will we be - can we be - as strong and steadfast if we are called upon to suffer for our Lord? St. Paul would be the first to tell us that it was not by his own power or courage that he was able to endure so much for the sake of Christ (rejected by fellow Jews, pelted by rocks, shipwrecked and imprisoned). His courage and witness in adversity came from the Holy Spirit. May we call upon the Spirit each day to empower us a Christ's servants.

Prayer: You know how timid and puny we often are, O Lord. Empower us to be strong in our witness and generous in our serving.

January 31: 4th Sunday after the Epiphany (Luke 4:21-30)

The hometown people were anxiously waiting for Jesus to perform a miracle so they could see for themselves that "Joseph's son" was as phenomenal as the reports portrayed him. Jesus refuses to perform any, however, and reminds them of two Old Testament stories in which God provided food and healing to foreigners instead of to Israelites. This infuriates the congregation in Nazareth; and they try to kill Jesus. WOW!

The shadow of the cross looms on the edge of that cliff. Jesus' rejection brings about our salvation!

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to more fully appreciate your sacrifice for us. Your rejection by your hometown and nation helps us understand what you went through out of your love for us and for all people.

February 2: The Presentation of our Lord (Luke 2:22-40)

We may look forward to the release from this world as the old man, Simeon, did. His "Nunc Dimittis" has been used over the years in Christian liturgies to celebrate the liberation that Christ brings. Like a slave being set free, so will we be when we die; but we can also enjoy that freedom during our time on earth as well. Anna's prophesy accentuates that freedom and celebrates it as well.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, enable us to fully appreciate the freedom that Christ has won for us!

February 7: 5th Sunday after Epiphany (Luke 5:1-11)

From disappointment to amazement…from fear to faith - what an adventure it is being with Jesus! "And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him" (vs 11). Many would call it foolish for these fishermen to give up their livelihood to become students of an itinerant preacher, teacher and miracle worker. Priorities change, however, when we recognize God at work in our lives. May the Holy Spirit kindle some of that same reckless trust that we see in Peter, James and John so that we continue to follow wherever our Lord leads us.

Prayer: Help us to trust in You, Holy Spirit, for the adventures that lie ahead as we follow our Lord and Savior.

6th Sunday after Epiphany (Luke 6:17-26)

As God has done throughout the ages, so Jesus does here: lifts up the lowly and humbles the haughty. Most of the people in Jesus' day were very poor and powerless. They knew first hand the challenges of poverty: living with little, going hungry and being victimized by those in power. What is our source of comfort and hope? Is it in our wealth or in Christ? If it is in Christ, we are called to put our wealth to work to help others in His name.

Prayer: Humble us, Lord, when we get haughty; lift us up when we sink too low. Help us to be good and generous stewards with all you have entrusted with us.

February 14: The Transfiguration of our Lord (Luke 9:28-43)

That inner circle of disciples, Peter, James and John, are given a glimpse of glory and a hint of heaven as Jesus shines brighter than the sun to reveal his divine identity. They would need this mountain-top high to provide God's victorious perspective at the time of their master's execution. May the Transfiguration of our Lord continue to provide the light and hope we need when our days are dark and desperate.

Prayer: As we make the journey to the cross with you during this Lenten season, make us mindful and heartful of your awesome love and redeeming power.