Rarely are the three Lectionary readings so integrated as they are this Sunday They all portray Gods call though in diverse and dramatic fashion Isaiah the confidant of kings receives Gods call in an overwhelming vision of the Holy One in the temple and responds simply Here I am send me Paul

Todays readings exemplify the diversity of Scripture Jeremiah and Luke express the strong biblical motif of the prophet called by God but opposed and rejected by those to whom he is sent Each reading has overtones of violence Jeremiah is told to gird up his loins that he will be a pillar of iro

In the early church the Epiphany cycle included other manifestations of Jesushis baptism and the wedding at Cana Today rsquo s liturgy focuses on the third manifestation the wedding feast at Cana the first of Jesus rsquo signs that is symbols of the divine power at work in the incarnate Word

The Lectionary continues the theme of the initial manifestations of Jesus The Gospel joins the first words of Luke rsquo s Gospel to Jesus rsquo initial proclamation at Nazareth Luke states that his purpose is to produce a narrative or story in reliance on traditions handed down by eyewitnesses a

Two years ago on Epiphany eve I was visiting a stellar family with four exuberant little boys ranging in age from 8 to 2 Johnny age 5 and I were looking through the family Christmas cards and he seemed especially fascinated by the varied and elaborate illustrations of the visit of the Magi came

The Christmas Epiphany cycle offers a series of windows into the mystery of the birth and manifestation of Jesus rather than a sequential tour through the infancy narratives The already rich fare of the Christmas season was expanded within the last century by the addition of the feast of the Holy