Looking into the lectionary - A prayer for Los Angeles

January 26, 2024 Third Sunday after the Epiphany Luke 4:14-21 “Start as you mean to go on.” I often think of this old adage while beginning a new ministry. Starting as I intend to go on means the way I conduct myself in the beginning sets the groundwork for future actions — good or bad habits follow initial motive. In our passage from Luke’s Gospel, Jesus begins his ministry as he means to go on — with the power of the Spirit. In these first few chapters of Luke, Jesus’ possession of the Spirit is mentioned three times (Luke 3:22 and twice in Luke 4:1). In today’s reading, we learn it is the Spirit that moves Jesus to go to Galilee and begin his ministry. Once in Galilee, Jesus goes to the synagogues and receives praise for his Spirit-filled teaching. But then he turns to Nazareth, his hometown, where he begins his ministry by reading Isaiah, connecting his work with the prophets who have gone before. Jesus is inaugurating his ministry. It is a beginning, but it is also a fulfillment of God’s salvific work. What must it have been like to hear Jesus say those words, “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, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor”? Jesus starts as he means to go on — by declaring that he is with and for the poor, the blind, and the oppressed. He will bring good news and release and recovery. He comes to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. And when will these wonderful things happen? Now. They happen even as the people of Nazareth hear those words, because Jesus is with them. Jesus is the fulfillment of those words. Just on the other side of this pericope, we learn that Jesus’ words are met with amazement — and suspicion. The people of Nazareth, his people, challenge Jesus and become enraged when he doubles-down on the truth of who and what he is. Several years ago, it seemed every church was pondering its mission statement.  ... Thank you to this week's writer Tara W. Bulger.  Read the rest of the commentary on the website. Order of worship — January 26, 2025, by Tara W. Bulger A prayer for Los Angeles by Haley Ballast My God, my king (January 26, 2025) by Julia Boyce Orthodoxy, not heresy, is the root problem of Christian nationalism by David W. Congdon Want the worship resources for January 19, 2024? You can find them here. Did you know loneliness is America’s most significant health problem, according to Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy in 2022? Explore biblical wisdom and practical steps to cultivate meaningful friendships with this “Friendship” Bible study by Katy Shevel. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Crossing the liminal together: The art of public theology By the power of the Holy Spirit, our hearts are joined in one holy unity. — Jennifer Frayer Griggs Draw Close: A Creative Companion for Lent "Draw Close" by Stephanie B. Dunn is an engaging Lenten guide blending prayer, reflection, and creative practices for spiritual renewal, writes Amy Pagliarella. Richard Hays, influential scholar who changed his mind on same-sex marriage, has died The renowned New Testament scholar and former dean of Duke Divinity School described his most recent book as an act of repentance for the way his work had been used to harm LGBTQ people and to divide Christians. — Bob Smietana Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary receives prestigious $5M Lilly Endowment Inc. grant for Black church rural and small towns ministry Initiative "We look forward to building a network of Black faith leaders and congregations who learn, grow, and strengthen their leadership while addressing the unique realities facing rural and small-town Black faith communities," says Perzavia Praylow. Trump Bible gets new ‘Inauguration Day Edition’ just in time for Jan. 6 A new ad urges supporters to buy a Bible commemorating Trump's return to the White House. The new edition of the God Bless the USA Bible features Trump's name on the cover and will be on sale until Jan. 19. —  Bob Smietana Staying, leaving and the blessings of Orpah and Ruth Ruth stayed. Orpah left. Both were blessed. Choosing the right ending requires courage, faith and grace, writes Katy Shevel.