The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, January 29, 2023 — Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

The Sunday Lectionary Readings

Sunday, January 29, 2023 — 4th Sunday after the Epiphany

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Teaching Wisdom

Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12

Opening Statement

Who are the people of God? Not those with correct beliefs or worldly wisdom, but those who act with justice and compassion, who walk humbly with their God; those whom the world might call foolish because they choose to live kingdom values rather than worldly values; those who go against the status quo and work to bring about God’s beloved community on earth, here and now.

The Beatitudes

Opening Prayer

God of our lives, to your Beloved Child: you are always turning the world upside down, calling us to follow you into new ventures, new challenges, new ways to care, new ways to touch the hearts of all. When we get tired, or feel disappointed, remind us that you can bring change and hope out of the most difficult situations, so that we may do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with you always. Amen.

Call to Confession

Far too often, O God, we desire to look wise in the eyes of the world. We have not spoken truth with our hearts. We have said and done hurtful things to our friends. We have forgotten our true identity, wandering into ways that are not yours. We have lost the path of true worship, focusing on form and words rather than deeds. We have forgotten what true discipleship is. And because of this, you have a quarrel with us. Forgive us and help us live into becoming the people you have created and called us to be: people of justice and love and truth and humility, and yes, even foolishness. May we be fools for Christ, embracing our true identity, even in the face of the world’s scorn and derision.

Assurance of Pardon

God has called us and blesses us when we live God’s ways and not the world’s. God’s love embraces us even when we fall short of what God desires for our lives and actions. Know that the God of blessing loves and forgives us with a fierce tenderness. And in so knowing, may our lives and souls be transformed.

Prayer of the Day

Holy God, you confound the world's wisdom in giving your kingdom to the lowly and the pure in heart.  Give us such a hunger and thirst for justice, and perseverance in striving for peace, that in our words and deeds the world may see the life of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

First Reading
Micah 6:1-8

The offering of justice kindness humility

6:1 Listen to what the Lord says:

   “Stand up, plead my case before the mountains;
     let the hills hear what you have to say.

2  “Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation;
     listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth.
   For the Lord has a case against his people;
     he is lodging a charge against Israel.

3  “My people, what have I done to you?
     How have I burdened you? Answer me.
4  I brought you up out of Egypt
     and redeemed you from the land of slavery.
   I sent Moses to lead you,
     also Aaron and Miriam.
5  My people, remember
     what Balak king of Moab plotted
     and what Balaam son of Beor answered.
   Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal,
     that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”

6  With what shall I come before the Lord
     and bow down before the exalted God?
   Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
     with calves a year old?
7  Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
     with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
   Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
     the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8  He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
     And what does the Lord require of you?
   To act justly and to love mercy
     and to walk humbly with your God.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 15
Abiding on God’s holy hill
Domine, quis habitabit?

LORD, who may dwell in your tabernacle?
who may abide upon your holy hill?

Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right,
who speaks the truth from his heart.

There is no guile upon his tongue; he does no evil to his friend;
he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor.

In his sight the wicked is rejected,
but he honors those who fear the LORD.

He has sworn to do no wrong
and does not take back his word.

He does not give his money in hope of gain,
nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

Whoever does these things
shall never be overthrown.

Heavenly Father, You have made Your presence known throughout the Earth, so those who do not trust in You are without excuse. We seek the wisdom that comes from You and Your word, so we might avoid sin and serve You with faithful hearts. We come to You in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and ask You to forgive us for our sins. We pray that You will fill us with Your Holy Spirit and empower us to walk blamelessly in Your sight and do what is right. We rejoice in the presence of our Lord and Savior, and praise You with hearts of love as we pray the prayer He taught us:

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

Second Reading

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Christ crucified the wisdom and power of God

1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:

   “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
     the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in great in heaven. Alleluia. (Matt. 5:12)

The Gospel

Matthew 5:1-12

The teaching of Christ: Beatitudes

5:1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.

He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
         righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of
         righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Here end the Lessons

Click HERE to read today’s Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Nicene Creed

 

• We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

• We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

• We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Holy Communion

A nondenominational serving of bread and wine

Though no video can truly replace the experience of celebrating together in our places of worship, we know that where two or more are gathered, the Lord is present. This table is open to all who recognize Jesus Christ as healer and redeemer. This table is open to all who work to bring God’s Kingdom here on earth. No one is turned away because of life circumstances. No one is barred from this table. No one seeking God’s abundant grace and mercy is turned aside. We see before us the abundance that a life of faith offers as we respond to God’s everlasting mercy in prayer and deed.

The Beatitudes - Hillsong (with lyrics)

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets].

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Responsive Readings from the Common Book of Prayer (1789).

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, January 29, 2023
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12

“Topsy-Turvy Blessings” The Gospel Message for Sunday, January 29, 2023 — Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

Our Gospel message comes to us today from the 5th chapter of Matthew, beginning with the 1st verse.

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:1-12)

Dear Heavenly Father, you have revealed yourself to us through your Word, recorded in the Scriptures, spoken by the prophets, but most clearly, through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, your Word become flesh. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, open our hearts and minds to your Word so that we might perceive your presence among us, embrace your truth for our lives, and gain the courage to witness your redeeming grace to others. This we ask in Christ’s holy name. Amen.

“Topsy-Turvy Blessings”

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are the meek, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, blessed are the merciful, blessed are the pure in heart, blessed are the peacemakers, blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.”

Jesus’ words in this sermon on the mount sound very comforting, uplifting, and very comfortable. When we hear these beatitudes read from scripture, I think most of us try to place ourselves somewhere on the list. We may listen and think, “ah, I’ve been merciful to people at times.” Or we may sit and remember a time when we made peace with a friend or a relative. Typically, we hear these words as a great promise because we like to see ourselves included in those that Jesus describes as blessed.

But what does it mean to be blessed? Does it mean that we have physical possessions, a house to live in, or many things to surround ourselves with? Think for a moment. Who are the people in this world who we consider the blessed ones? Is it the person who won the publisher’s clearinghouse sweepstakes? Is it the person who has a big house, a boat, or a vacation home up north? Is it the person with no debt and no bills? Is it the executive with the big three who are making hundreds of thousands of dollars a year? Is it the parents who just had a healthy baby or the kid at school whose parents just bought her a brand-new car? Far too often, the people we consider blessed are those who have THINGS!

In today’s gospel lesson, Jesus uses the word “blessed” differently. Although the world may seem that the rich and powerful or the high and mighty as blessed, Jesus says that God has blessed the lowly, the meek, the poor, and the hungry. Jesus takes the prevalent worldview and turns it upside down.

Do any of you remember the Disney movie from a few years ago called Hunchback of Notre Dame? As the story goes, the people of Paris once a year have a street festival. On that day, everything is topsy turvy, sings Clopin, the narrator-jester. At that festival, they crown the king of fools, who is the ugliest, most hideous person there. Why do they crown the least likely person, sings Clopin? Why? Because everything is topsy-turvy! A king becomes a clown, and a clown becomes a king, and he sings.

At that festival, Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bell-ringer of Notre Dame, is crowned the king of fools. He puts the top in topsy-turvy and sings Clopin. Jesus’ words about being blessed strike us in sort of a topsy-turvy fashion. Those who seem less fortunate, who look like they are not as “blessed” as we are, turn out to be those whom God proclaims as blessed, as fortunate. In God’s eyes, the fortunate ones are at the bottom of the heap of humanity. What seems up is down, and what seems down is up. Jesus reminds us that God’s ways of seeing things are sometimes topsy-turvy from how we see things.

The Beatitudes are not “entrance requirements for the kingdom of heaven” but descriptions of the nature of God’s rule. Jesus is not pronouncing the blessing; that is, his words do not cause the blessing. Instead, Jesus is describing a situation that exists. According to Jesus, when the rule of God is fully realized, the people who will benefit are those who now have no reason for hope or cause for joy, who seem to have been denied their share of God’s blessings in this world. The people that Jesus describes as blessed are those for whom things have not been the way they should be. For such people, the coming of God’s kingdom is a blessing because things will be equalized when God rules.

Our response to the beatitudes should not be going out and trying to make ourselves meek, or poor in spirit, or hungry, or righteous. Jesus may call us to that action later. Still, here, Jesus is merely disputing the conventional wisdom about who is “blessed.” Jesus is not telling us to become those people. He is telling us to look at those people through God’s eyes. Although we may not consider people in those situations blessed, God’s view is different. The poor in spirit, the meek, the peacemakers, are blessed, not because they are virtuous, but because they have something to look forward to in the great divine reversal.

St. Paul writes about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. These Beatitudes of Jesus illustrate the kind of foolishness that is spoken through the cross. What looks like a topsy-turvy day is only an example of the reversal of fortune that will be found in the kingdom. Those who looked blessed are not, and those who seem cursed are those who are blessed.

The poor in spirit, those who seem to be downhearted now, will gain the kingdom of heaven. Those who mourn, who weep for the pain of their loss, will find comfort from God, even if the world will not give them the time of day. The meek—those who seem not to have any power or authority—will gain land. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, those who try to do what’s right no matter the reward or punishment, will be filled.

Jesus isn’t trying to get us to try to be meek, poor in spirit, or even merciful. Nor is Jesus telling us that we can find out who’s going to heaven by judging their situation in light of the beatitudes. What we can learn from the Beatitudes is to see who God is focused upon and what we should do about it.

How should I act if history is headed toward a dramatic reversal of fortunes for the poor in spirit and the pure in heart? How could I treat the poor or the hungry or the thirsty if there will be a day when things will be reversed? How might I respond differently to the mourners or meek that I see on the street if I knew that God was ultimately concerned about them?

The Micah text reminds us of what we can do to see the fulfillment of the kingdom. What does the Lord require of us? To be meek? To become poor in spirit? To hunger and thirst for righteousness? No, “God has told you what is good, and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God?” We have a responsibility to those who are described in the Beatitudes. We are responsible for acting justly, showing kindness, and walking with God.

As Paul says, “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” Yes, things may look topsy-turvy, but God is shining light on us, lifting us up through these situations. The message of the cross may seem like mere foolishness, crazy festival nonsense. But God uses the weak things of the world, the foolish things of the world, to show forth God’s glory.

If God can love you, if God can love me, then surely, we can love those who look foolish, those who seem weak, and those who appear to be less fortunate. May God give us the wisdom to seek the foolishness of the cross and the weakness of Christ crucified.

Let us pray: Let us pray: Lord Jesus, you said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Keep us from being preoccupied with money and worldly goods and with trying to increase them at the expense of justice.

Lord Jesus, you said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Help us not to be ruthless with one another and to eliminate the discord and violence that exists in the world around us.

Lord Jesus, you said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Let us not be impatient under our own burdens and unconcerned about the burdens of others.

Lord Jesus, you said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Make us thirst for you, the fountain of all holiness, and actively spread your influence in our private lives and society.

Lord Jesus, you said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Grant that we may be quick to forgive and slow to condemn.

Lord Jesus, you said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Free us from our senses and our evil desires, and help us to fix our eyes on you.

Lord Jesus, you said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Aid us to make peace in our families, in our country, and in the world.

Lord Jesus, you said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Make us willing to suffer for the sake of right rather than to practice injustice; do not let us discriminate against our neighbors and oppress and persecute them. Amen.

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Scripture is taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Sermon contributed by Rev. Carla Powell.
When death comes close, it is painful. The faithful mourn. Even in this, the Lord tells us, we are blessed because He will draw close to bring comfort. Jesus’ Beatitudes are a splash of frigid water in the face of the self-righteous, but a cup of refreshing water for God’s forgiven saints who are weary of the ways of the world. The beatitudes are a description of what life in the kingdom of God looks like.

The Morning Prayer for Sunday, January 29, 2023

 

The Morning Prayer
Sunday, January 29, 2023

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart.
Deuteronomy 6:4–6, RSV

Lord our God, we thank you that every day—through good days and through days that to us seem bad—we know that our lives are guided by your will, what you do and what you want. For this we thank you. We want to love you above everything in the world. Our hearts long for you, for you are our Father. We want to love and honor you with our whole lives. Lord our God, bring your order into the world. Help us at all times to do your will and to fulfill your commandments. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Sunday, January 29, 2023

 

Verse of the Day
Sunday, January 29, 2023

Mark 9:35

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

We sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that we can measure our success the same way the world does. We mistakenly believe that if the Lord receives glory from our service, then it should be glorious for us as well. Yet when we remember God’s faithful servants from the Bible, we realize their situations were often far from easy or glamorous. Likewise, the Lord may call us to do the simple, humble acts that show compassion toward other people and which display the character of Christ. They are not done for personal gain; rather, they are done out of an overflow of His love in us and for His glory.

Read all of Mark Chapter 9

Listen to Mark Chapter 9

Scripture from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Travel the World from Home — Joshua & the Battle of the Benjamin Plateau

 

The Holy Land:
Connecting the Land with Its Stories
Joshua & the Battle of the Benjamin Plateau
Season 2 — Episode 6

You might be familiar with the story of Joshua and the battle of Jericho. But what about Joshua and the battle of the Benjamin Plateau? It's not nearly as well-known, but it's no less spectacular.

Jericho is located on the eastern edge of Israel in the Jordan Valley. It's where the Israelites entered the Promised Land for the first time after centuries in Egypt and 40 years wandering in the desert. Amir Tsarfati, former Deputy Governor of Jericho during the Palestinian/Israeli peace talks, is an expert military strategist with a deep knowledge of this region. He joins Jack to help tell the whole story of how God gave His people control over the Promised Land despite Joshua being tricked by the Gibeonites and not following God's orders. The pair begin in the desert oasis of Jericho and then head through the treacherous terrain of the Judean Wilderness to the Benjamin Plateau, providing a full understanding of the ruggedness of the land, the danger of the battle, and the victory of the Lord.

In Episode 6, Jack Beck takes us to this important region that was, and still is, a crossroads for Israel. We'll get the story behind the story of this important location where the Israelites entered the Promised Land and we’ll answer some questions: Why does the Benjamin Plateau play such an important role for Israel in history and modern day? How did God miraculously deliver His people once again despite military mistakes?

If you're at an intersection in life, you'll see through this epic physical battle that God is fighting for you. Jack summarizes his thoughts on the experience: "I see that God is in control, and that brings me encouragement knowing that when I find myself at the crossroads of a difficult journey,  when I make mistakes, my story doesn't end there."

Season 2 — Episode 6 | Joshua & the Battle of the Benjamin Plateau