Epiphany is the season when the lectionary readings explore ways Christ and God are made ‘manifest’ or clearly seen. As the hymn Songs of Thankfulness and Praise* notes this happens in many ways. Jesus was “Manifested by the star/To the sages from afar”. Then again, “Manifest at Jordan's stream…at Cana, Wedding-guest/In Thy Godhead manifest”. The hymn goes on to tell of healing, “Ever bringing good from ill.” There is a foreshadowing of the coming darkness of Lent and joy of Easter when we sing, “Sun and moon shall darkened be/Stars shall fall, the heavens shall flee/Christ will then like lightning shine….Thou by all wilt be confessed.” Finally, we ask for “grace to see Thee, Lord/ [to] imitate Thee now…God in man made manifest.”
Throughout Epiphany we looked at the way God was ‘manifest’ in the lives of the men and women of the Book of Ruth in the Bible. We heard from them how God acted in and through their lives, even when they weren’t aware of it. The were evangelists for God, even though they didn’t necessarily know that. We also are evangelists for God. We make God visible to the people and world we interact with, too. It’s an awe-some responsibility.
If you want to delve even further into the story of Naomi and your own faith journey, you can get the just completed study guide that supplements my book, Naomi’s Joy. Called Rooted in the Tree of Life the study helps you think about your story by considering Naomi’s life and Jeremiah 17:8. Over the 6 sessions, you’ll create a ‘tree’ to represent your faith journey and gain insight into the work of God in your life. If you are looking for a Lenten study, this might be it! You can download the study, or request a print copy ($5 to cover shipping) by emailing Cynthia.
Wednesday of this week is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. During the 40 days of Lent, I’ll be exploring ways we might RE-Turn to God. The prefix ‘RE’ means ‘do again’ or ‘go back’. We will explore how we RE-Solve to turn to God, how we work to RE-Pent, as well as RE-Member as we seek to RE-Concile, RE-Store and allow God to RE-Create us during Lent. Then we are able to celebrate RE-Surrection. There will be optional directions for creating a Lent Box aid to use throughout the season.
The Lent retreat of the Women of the Diocese of the Rio Grande has the same theme. It will be led by the Rev. Canon Lee Curtis, who will have his own way of looking at this way of moving through Lent toward RE-Surrection. More info on the Women’s Ministry website.
*Songs of thankfulness and praise,
Jesus, Lord, to Thee we raise,
Manifested by the star
To the sages from afar,
Branch of royal David's stem,
In Thy birth at Bethlehem.
Anthems be to Thee addressed
God in man made manifest.
2. Manifest at Jordan's stream,
Prophet, Priest, and King supreme,
And at Cana, Wedding-guest,
In Thy Godhead manifest;
Manifest in power divine,
Changing water into wine.
Anthems be to Thee addressed
God in man made manifest.
3. Manifest in making whole
Palsied limbs and fainting soul;
Manifest in valiant fight,
Quelling all the devil's might;
Manifest in gracious will,
Ever bringing good from ill.
Anthems be to Thee addressed,
God in man made manifest.
4. Sun and moon shall darkened be,
Stars shall fall, the heavens shall flee;
Christ will then like lightning shine,
All will see His glorious sign;
All will then the trumpet hear,
All will see the Judge appear;
Thou by all wilt be confessed,
God in man made manifest.
5. Grant us grace to see Thee, Lord,
Mirrored in Thy holy Word;
May we imitate Thee now
And be pure as pure art Thou
That we like to Thee may be
At Thy great Epiphany
And may praise Thee, ever blest,
God in man made manifest.
