Pastor’s Keyboard
In this season after Epiphany our attention is on our own baptismal calling. We are to put on Christ and follow in His way of love. We have a glimpse of that star which the wise men have followed. Perhaps their wisdom will come to us.
Consider during these weeks the many ways the church is about its ministry of compassion and justice. Appreciate the stories of those individuals you have known who have been about the holy work, in Christ’s name, without seeking attention or gaining credit. Imagine ways that you too can go forward using the gifts which you have received. Recognize that it is often the tender souls, who have been pressed hard by the world and often ignored, that God chooses to witness to His glory.
As the lessons are read you will hear references to water, reminding us of our own cleansing from sin but also encouraging us to take up our responsibilities to advocate for the cleansing of our lakes, streams, and rivers. They have suffered immeasurably from the poisoning by chemicals and pollution from garbage, so that the water cannot provide the life-giving gift it was designed to be for all the plants and animals of creation.
Much of Jesus’ mission took place surrounded by water, beginning at the River Jordan, then at the shores of the Sea of Galilee and on the water itself. The disciples of Jesus, then and now, are called to be fishers of people. We can see that we must be going to the waters again for that to happen. (Even the ice-covered water that is what we have around us now.) So listen for the sounds of water, flowing, sprinkling, rushing on, as it leads us in taking up our tasks.