Category Archives: Epiphany 5

If you’re like me, you’re enjoying the long Epiphany season this year, as determined by the last date of Easter. Considering the weather, we will probably need the late Easter in order to thaw out before the Easter egg hunt on the Great Lawn! The longer Epiphany gives us more time to pause and consider every aspect of Epiphany. We always meditate on the visit of the Magi (Matt. 2:1-12), the boy Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52), and Jesus’ first miracle at Cana (John 2:1-11). And we always end the Epiphany season with His transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-9), where we usually consider His baptism (Matt. 3:13-17). But today, an all-too-rare Epiphany V, presents our life of suffering in the midst of the weeds, setting before us the many dangers of this life, of temptations in this world, and the consequences of forgetting that we are God’s own planting. But this Sunday also presents a rich portrait of eternal grace, a grace so strong that it simply cannot fail. He who died for us and rose again is with us in the field of this world. So our end-times hope, even as we suffer in the church, is in Jesus Christ and His final judgment. On that day, He will “give us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this valley of sorrow to Himself in heaven” (SC XX). Continue reading →