Weekly Liturgy : January 19-25
- John
- Jan 19
- 4 min read
Matthew 4:12-23
NRSV
12-16 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
15 “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the gentiles—16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”
17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
18-22 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishers. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.”Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
23 Jesus went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.
REFLECTION
from John
It’s week three in the season of Epiphany. This week, Jesus is revealed as a prophet.
Like others in Israel’s prophetic tradition, Jesus isn’t really about the business of predicting future events. His intention is to speak truth to the powers of the present moment, by imagining a future that looks different than today.
And like all prophets, Jesus invites all us to repent; to change our ways so that through us, this alternative future might be made real in the present.
But Matthew chooses a peculiar demonstration to place alongside this call. He doesn’t list a prayer or a set of theological axioms to subscribe to. Instead he tells us who Jesus chose to spend his time with: fishermen and the ill… people on the economic and social margins.
What then for us in our current moment?
In the words of Jesus the prophet, may we have eyes to see and ears to hear the alternative reality of Heaven in our midst. And may we have the courage to welcome in our neighbors most desperate to know there’s room for them too.
Letter from Birmingham Jail
Martin Luther King, Jr.
PRACTICE:
Outward Mindset Application
Next time you notice your irritation toward someone, pause for a moment to reflect on the need inside of you that you are wishing were better met. As you communicate your displeasure, reframe your irritation as met needs (such as your need for clarity or support or consistency, etc).
Non-Violent Communication Question of the Week
Who do you know who is good at saying “no” honestly and kindly? What parts of their communication style can you replicate in your own?
Pathways toward Centeredness
Sensation (loving God by experiencing our physical senses):
Reflect on the following list of sensory signal systems. Are there any that are help you attune with God often? Try engaging a different signal in an intentional and meditative way each day this week. How do you notice God showing up with you in each moment?
Verbal–speech
Written–symbols representing speech
Numeric–numbers and number systems
Pictorial–two dimensional representations
Artifactual–three-dimensional representations and objects, the "things" used in living
Audio–use of nonverbal sounds, and silence
Kinesic–body motions, facial expressions, posture
Optical–light and color
Tactile–touch, the sense of "feel"
Spatial–utilization of space
Temporal–utilization of time
Olfactory–taste and smell
Questions for Reflection
Have you ever experienced a radical welcome into a community you longed to call your own? Or do you get to experience belonging in a community you’re really proud to call your own? What impact does your experience have on your nervous system?
Who would you rather not have belong inside your community? What might God be asking you to see as goodness within those people?
“Liturgy” refers to the habits and practices humans use to form community around shared values and meaning. At Church at the Park, we desire to be a community of practice, becoming people who see the world through the eyes of the marginalized, making meaning through the lens of pain and suffering, and committing ourselves to non-violence in a wounded world. This weekly email is intended to provide pathways of practice for becoming the type of people who embody these values.
Many of our reflections on each week's text come from other sources. If you're interested in reading more of what inspires us, here our our two favorite reflections.
Copyright (C) 2023 Church at the Park. All rights reserved.
