Trinity Church
Newport, RI 02840

“Discovering the Divine Magic in Our Lives” ; January 10-February 7
January 24 #3 January 24 “Words Too Familiar – Hearing with New Ears”
“Epiphany” is a word of Greek origin, related to such English words as “theophany,” “phenotype,” (*) and “phenomenon.” It means an appearance, a displaying, a showing forth, a making clear or public or obvious.
At Epiphany (January 6) Christians have traditionally celebrated the making known of Jesus Christ to the world. “They followed a star” but that was their business; the “miracle” was not the star but its significance/meaning.
It is in theological terms… TA-DA!

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.examiner.com/article/conversation-confusion-and-conflict

 

 

 

Luke 4 (Message)
14-15 Jesus returned to Galilee powerful in the Spirit. News that he was back spread through the countryside. He taught in their meeting places to everyone’s acclaim and pleasure.
16-21 He came to Nazareth where he had been reared. As he always did on the Sabbath, he went to the meeting place. When he stood up to read, he was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written,
God’s Spirit is on me;
he’s chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor,
Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and
recovery of sight to the blind,
To set the burdened and battered free,
to announce, “This is God’s year to act!”
He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on him, intent. Then he started in, “You’ve just heard Scripture make history. It came true just now in this place.”

Luke 4 (NRSV)
14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Notes on Luke 4
Jesus was known, familiarity (and we all know that danger).
Familiarity of place, customs and words.
Hearing as for the first time…
What an experience “You have just heard Scripture [familiar words] make history. It came true just NOW in THIS PLACE.”

Question from Luke 4
How do we place ourselves physically, emotionally, spiritually ready to hear “Scripture made history NOW in THIS PLACE”?

True (yes, true) story from Philadelphia… concerning a woman hearing often “Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome to receive communion” but she said to her partner, “This is not meant for me” – oh dear! Pastorally, theologically…

Re-cap from #2 (important notes about “glory/doxa”)
“This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave, the first glimpse of his glory. And his disciples believed in him” -John 2:11
Sign – incarnate/enfleshed in action, real time and real place
given at divine initiative
substantial glory, partial revelation
given usually in context of relationship/discipleship
requiring faith, trust, openness