260104 Aoc Sunday Report

 

Anglican Orthodox Church _sm

Worldwide Communion

Second Sunday after Christmas

January 4, 2026 – Sunday Report

 

First Sunday after Christmas Propers:

The propers are special prayers and readings from the Bible. There is a Collect for the Day; that is a single thought prayer, most written either before the re-founding of the Church of England in the 1540’s or written by Bishop Thomas Cranmer, the first Archbishop of Canterbury after the re-founding.

 

The Collect for the Day is to be read on Sunday and during Morning and Evening Prayer until the next Sunday. The Epistle is normally a reading from one of the various Epistles, or letters, in the New Testament. The Gospel is a reading from one of the Holy Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Collect is said by the minister as a prayer, the Epistle can be read by either a designated reader (as we do in our church) or by one of the ministers and the Holy Gospel, which during the service in our church is read by an ordained minister.

 

The propers are the same each year, except if a Red-Letter Feast, that is one with propers in the prayerbook, falls on a Sunday, then those propers are to be read instead, except in a White Season, where it is put off. Red Letter Feasts, so called because in the Altar Prayerbooks the titles are in red, are special days. Most of the Red-Letter Feasts are dedicated to early saint’s instrumental in the development of the church, others to special events. Some days are particularly special and the Collect for that day is to be used for an octave (eight days) or an entire season, like Advent or Lent. The Propers for today are found in the Book of Common Prayer page 106 -107.

 

 

The Collect for the Second Sunday after Christmas

ALMIGHTY God, who hast poured upon us the new light of thine incarnate Word; Grant that the same light enkindled in our hearts may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 Epistle for the Second Sunday after Christmas. Isaiah lxi. 1.

THE Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the plant-ing of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

The Gospel for the Second Sunday after Christmas. St. Matthew ii. 19.

WHEN Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

On Point

January 1. In the Beginning

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God." John 1:1

"In the beginning." Life is full of beginnings. We are now at the beginning of a year. But here is a beginning which carries our thoughts back beyond all years, all dates of history, all imaginable periods of time, beyond the beginnings of creation!

"In the beginning was the Word." Then Christ was. What a sublime stretch of being these words give to Him who is our Savior! We cannot grasp the thought — but we can find security and comfort in it when we think of Christ, and when we rest in Him as our hope and salvation. We trust in human friends — and the comfort is very sweet; yet we can never forget that they are but creatures of a day, and that we cannot be sure of having them even for tomorrow! But we trust in Christ, and know that from eternity to eternity — He is the same, and therefore our confidence is forever strong and sure.

Our trust is still more stable and firm when we read on, and find who this Person is, in whom we are confiding. "The Word was God." There is nothing doubtful in this language. No kind of exegesis can blot from this brief clause — the truth of Christ's divinity. The Savior, into whose hands you have committed your life — is the eternal God! Earthly trusts are never secure, for everything human is mortal; but those who commit themselves to the keeping of Christ — are safe forever. 

It is very sweet to think of Christ's humanity. It brings Him near to us. He is like one of ourselves. He is our own brother, with tender sympathies and warm affections. We study the gospel and learn the graciousness of His character, as seen in His compassion, His tears, His love. Then, when we know that behind these qualities — are the divine attributes, that He is truly God — what glorious confidence it gives us! Let us set this glorious truth, at the gate of the New Year. It is a shining point from which to start!

 

Jerry Ogles, Presiding Bishop – Metropolitan AOC Worldwide

 We are fortunate to get copies of Bishop Jerry’s you tube links, devotions on the Prayer of the Collect and sermon notes.

 

Bishop Jerry creates videos on various subjects, they last just under ten minutes and this week’s videos are listed below:

Bishop Ogles Blog:
 https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com  

Bishop Ogles You Tube Channel
that is free to subscribe: all of his videos at:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW3bgXBJFomPB5mZ4Oigxg

 

 

Lay Reader’s Sermon to be used on:

2^nd Sunday after Christmas – January 4^th 
For Morning Prayer in Alaska
Written by Bishop Jerry Ogles

 First Lesson: Micah 4:1-5 & 5:2-4
Second (Gospel) Lesson: Luke 2:21-32

 The Collect.

And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord

Prayer of Collect

ALMIGHTY God, who hast poured upon us the new light of thine incarnate Word; Grant that the same light enkindled in our hearts may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

          As our Prayer of Collect attests, God, at Christmas, has poured out into our Cups of Faith the “new Light of His Incarnate Word” – so much so that our “cups runneth over.” The Light was eternally the same unchanging Light of Christ that existed before the worlds and heavens were formed; yet, He came down to us to share in our same pains and sufferings – and more. We can know God the Father because we have seen and heard God the Son. 

            “¹ That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; ² (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) ³ That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” (1 JOHN 1:1-3)

            It is a mystery known only to God that only the meek and humble of heart can hear and understand the Voice of the Spirit that speaks the Gospel that heals, that frees, that cheers, and that liberates from our self-imposed prison captivity. As our Epistle proclaims, we are, as well, to proclaim – the acceptable year of our Lord. That Year has been published in our calendars ever since His birth. It was 2021 years ago (Anno Domini) since that momentous fulfillment of the Word. Despite all efforts to erase the meaning of that date, it is recognized by the world, in spite of themselves, as the division of time for our computation of the time scale in years.  Those who would extinguish the fires of truth by re-naming the calendar dates with such ridiculous labels as C.E. (Common error to supplant Christ Birth of A.D.) and B.C.E. (Before the Common Error to blur the distinction of B.C. – before Christ) are hard-pressed to explain WHY they must use the zero year (Christ birth) as a starting point. Why not allow the great truth of history to prevail and simply admit that the coming of Christ was such a climactic event as to divide our time scale, and even Eternity, in half – from Eternity Past to Eternity Future!

            The prophet Micah offers one of the most illuminating prophecies of the Old Testament concerning our Lord’s coming. His prophecy is two-pronged in its application - that is, it references both the time of the first Advent of the Lord as well as the second:

“²But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. ³Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. ⁴And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.” (Micah 5:2-4)

            Bethlehem was a quiet and pastoral hamlet about six miles south, southwest of Jerusalem. Its location and rural setting recommended that city as a fine place to raise lambs to be sold as sacrifices for the Temple worship on Passover and other major holy days. And so, the raising and sale of lambs likely characterized the nature of commerce in that small settlement. What more appropriate place to serve as the nativity for the Lamb of God as prophesied. Bethlehem was in Judah and satisfied perfectly the exact prophesy of that birth. Even its name suggests its suitability as His birthplace - Bethlehem Judah - the House of Bread and Praise. Christ is the Bread of Heaven, too:

“For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” (John 6:33)

            The more we study that venue, the more perfectly does it comport with the prophecy and nature of the Nativity of Christ. It was also the city of David’s birth as well as the burial place for Rachel and Jacob (Israel).

            What a beautiful witness of our Lord’s coming to the Jew first (the poor shepherds abiding in the fields) and then to the gentile - the Wise Men (Magi) from the East (Persia). As Paul has spoken in Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Gentile).”

            In our Gospel text, we find the importance of bringing our young children into the covenant relationship of the Church. Article XXVII of the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion reminds us of the importance of that practice - “The Baptism of young Children is in any wise to be retained in the Church, as most agreeable with the institution of Christ.” Jesus observed the very letter of the Law in his circumcision on the eighth day after His birth. Confirmation is also evidenced by His presentation at the Temple: By bringing Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph demonstrate their obedience to God’s Law and acknowledge His divine role in the life of Christ. Parents bear the same responsibility to dedicate their children to God by raising them in the nurture and obedience of the Word of God - a practice woefully missing in the modern American family generally.

            At the Temple, Simeon, whom the Holy spirit had promised to see the Lord’s Christ before death, came to the Temple and took up the child and blessed Him. On this occasion, Simeon pronounced Christ as a Light to the Gentiles, and not to them only, but to the glory of all Israel into which the gentiles would now have part in Christ.

            We, the gentiles, were set apart in darkness before His coming; but now enjoy full fellowship in the blessings and promises of Israel if we have received and believed that promise made to Abraham of a Seed (Christ). It should be noted that many in Israel had either forgotten, or rejected, that promise which drove a wedge between them and spiritual Israel. No such wedge exist between God and either the believing Jew, or the believing gentile, who have been enlightened by the Light of the World and joined together as one in the household of God.

        † Jerry Ogles

 Jack Arnold

Bishop of the Diocese of the West – AOC USA
Education and Training Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide
Church of the Faithful Centurion

Good morning! I hope you are all doing well. In today’s sermon we will be looking at the unifying message of the Collect, Epistle and Gospel and examine how they share a common message as we look for our place in this world. Let us start by reading today’s collect:

The Second Sunday after Christmas Day.

Today’s sermon ties together the propers, that is to say the prayer and readings for this week.  Due to calendar considerations, we do not oft get to celebrate the Second Sunday after Christmas as there are only 12 days in Christmastide, but this is one of those years!

Consider these words from the Collect, “…God, who hast poured upon us the new light of thine incarnate Word; Grant that the same light enkindled in our hearts may shine forth in our lives…”

First, note God has given us the New Light of Jesus Christ in the world and in our lives as the Word Incarnate, or the Word in the Flesh.  We did not earn it He gave it to us!  Gave, as in we did nothing to deserve it. It is a gift of God’s wonderful Grace!  Once received we must use His Gift to perform actions for Him and show that we do indeed have faith in Him.

It is very easy to just read His Word and not act upon it. It is much harder to read His Word and incorporate His Message into our actions in our everyday lives but that is what we are called to do. Fortunately, we have help with that in the form of the Holy Ghost. However, it requires that we actively let Him into our heart, souls and minds and allow Him to guide us in our actions. Once we do this, the light of His Word will shine in our lives and be evident to those around us.

The reading used for the Epistle is not an Epistle as such, but a portion of the Book of Isaiah, one of the Old Testament books filled with New Testament ideas and thoughts.  Isaiah is pointing out what God will do for us, if we will but allow Him in. He will break us from the prison known as sin and bring us to true freedom.

In the reading, Isaiah says what we should all be saying, The Lord has selected us to pass on His Good Tidings to all, to tell the world the Good News of the Lord Jesus!  To comfort those in need, to bring happiness where there is heaviness, to talk of the Glory of God!  Good News indeed for those of us who live in a fallen world where there is very little Good news, especially these days! Jesus proclaims liberty to us, the former captives who were bound by the sin that would otherwise bring us to a final death. Instead of death, He proclaims light and light to all the hearts who accept Him.

On the surface, in the Gospel, Matthew is just relating the historical fact of Joseph being told to go back into Israel with Mary and Jesus, that all was safe for the time being.  Yet, there is more.  The verses also recall the threat to Jesus’ life from Herod and sends Joseph and his family to take up residence in Nazareth in fulfillment of the prophecy that the King of Kings would be called a Nazarene.

So, what of us?  How do we fit in to all this?

The reading that serves as the Epistle  is pretty clear in that we are to proclaim to the world the true liberty that they will receive if they choose to follow God and that that we are also called to comfort all those who mourn the loss of their loved ones, and to in general proclaim God and His Word to all those in the world who need it. This may all seem like a very tall order, and indeed, without the help of the Holy Ghost, it would be impossible. It is clear that in this matter we must look to the Holy Ghost for guidance and not look for it from the heart of man. We know that the heart of man is fallible and will get us spiritually lost.  However, the Holy Spirit is infallible and will not get us spiritually lost. Listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and all will be well.

How do we listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit? We need to open our hearts, souls and minds via prayer. Once He has entered into us, we need to open our hearts and ears and listen for His Guidance. Then we need to translate that guidance into actions.

 In order to be of help to others who would come to Christ, we must walk the walk besides talking the talk; we must not be as hypocrites, saying one thing but doing another. We do not want to be like the Pharisees of old, with their lavish prayers and gestures in the public. But we must be like the publican who would not so much as lift His eyes up onto the heavens. We must have a humble, hearty and contrite spirit, to spread the Word of the Lord to those who need to hear it most.

The time has come to show the light unto the world. The time has come to choose God or Satan. The choice is like those in the Lord of the Rings[1]. Do we choose the Light, like the Men of the West and Aragorn of Gondor, or do we choose the forces of Darkness, of Mordor and their allies? Who shall we choose? Our actions shall show our hearts. “For where your heart is, there shall your treasure be also.”

Heaven is at the end of an uphill trail.  The easy downhill trail does not lead to the summit.

The time is now, not tomorrow.  The time has come, indeed.  How will you ACT?

It is by our actions we are known.

Be of God - Live of God - Act of God

Bishop Jack Arnold

 

  Charles Morley - Bishop of Alabama - Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

 

We are always happy to get the instruction and devotions that Bp Morley is giving to us. We hope you enjoy the following:

Oh no!  Christmas Again?

      "Isn't it odd that Christmas keeps coming back?" said C.S. Lewis, pondering the fact that for over two thousand years, Christians have marked the occasion of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. You'd think by this time we'd have grown tired of it. Yet as each Christmas comes, the spirit of anticipation is renewed and great effort is put into preparations weeks in advance. But as soon as the day is over, we sigh a sigh of relief and all the sentimental emotion vanishes, and we move on. We are even given to admit that we are exhausted and need a rest from the whole business. That is, until the next December when we repeat the whole jaded process all over again. 

     For weeks in advance of His Natal Day, we have been told the old story and repeated the biblical accounts of His Birth - in great detail. It has become part of our cultural identity: the shepherds, the angels, the manger, the star, the wise men. We stage live Nativity scenes in our churches and sing carols hundreds of years old. We stage live tableaus with our children dressed in bathrobes, sometimes even with live sheep and donkeys, to display "the Message" to an adoring public. Who in the world is not familiar with the details: the who, the what, the where, the when? Young and old alike, rich and poor, even non-Christians participate in the customs and the extravagance of the season. But something is missing - something is wrong. We sense it but fail to express it. We sing "Repeat the sounding joy" but the true joy remains elusive. And so we repeat the when, the what, the who, and the where over and over each successive year, as though we could conjure something meaningful simply by restating these historic truths. We are well aware of the answers to these Christmas questions. What's missing from our festive re-telling of the Story is - the WHY.

     Oh, we think we have the answers and we repeat them mindlessly each year. We announce He came to bring peace, good will toward men. He came to make the world a better place. He came to teach us how to live, how to be kinder, better people. He came to teach us generosity and sharing, to be more aware of the poor and needy, to show us how to live together despite our differences. He came to uplift the downtrodden, to bring release for the captives. He came so that the lion would lie down with the lamb, and all mankind who beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Sounds so "biblical" doesn't it?

     How easy it is to leave the Cross out of Christmas. We sing "Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth; Born to give them second birth..." What does that mean "second birth?" Some think it means a second chance - a second opportunity for us to get it right: to heal our hurts and meet our wants, and to be better, more moral people because of His example. Well, if not these things, then what?

     The angel in Matthew's Gospel tells the shepherds (and us) plainly WHY He came: to save us from our sins. Of course, we already know well what sin is - we just don't know how to deal with it on our own. We already knew right from wrong - we already knew how to treat our neighbor and our fellow man - who in the world does not desire liberation, prosperity, freedom and peace? We struggle to achieve all these things on our own, of our own volition. But we cannot achieve "that peace which passeth all understanding" - that comes not from our inner selves, our deep desires or our spiritual strength - it comes from God alone. It comes only from Christ who is the sole answer to our sin problem. As St. Paul reminds us of the true reason for the Incarnation, "This is a true saying and worthy of all men to be achieved, that Christ Jesus came into the world TO SAVE SINNERS..." Or as Wesley put it, "There was no other good enough to pay the price for sin; He only could unlock the gates of heaven, and let us in."

     The shepherds heard the angel say that a SAVIOUR was born to them that night - a Saviour from what, we ask today? We have PSYCHOLOGY and psychiatry to help us with our GUILT - we have no need of SALVATION. We have SELF-ESTEEM to help us with our FAILURES and shortcomings - we have no need of REPENTANCE. We have GOVERNMENT and LAW - we have no need of FORGIVENESS. The Ten Commandments were given millennia ago - we know right from wrong; we know what we should be, but we can never seem to get beyond what we ARE. We know there is SOMETHING WRONG - we pretend we don't know what it is. What's missing is REPENTANCE, FORGIVENESS and SALVATION. What's missing is CHRIST, dwelling in our hearts by faith.

     How strange that God the Father sent His only begotten Son - to be a human baby born to die. Why? Year after year people say they are searching for "the real meaning of Christmas." C.S. Lewis suggested that if we seek to understand the real meaning of Christmas we must imagine that there was once the Grand Creator who created the race of worms to live on the earth He had made but instead of acknowledging their Creator, the worms made gods in their own wormy likeness and rebelled against the Grand Creator. But the Creator sent His own son to pay for the sins of all wormdom, and made Him in the form of a worm that He might suffer as a worm, so that all worms might come to be as He is, and live forever with Him in Paradise. But instead of accepting the Creator's gift, the worms mercilessly put the Creator's Son to death. Lewis said, if you understand this analogy, you understand not but one thousandth of the truth of the Incarnation. Just as there cannot be Easter Joy without Calvary, so there cannot be Christmas JOY without the Cross.

     A godly lady in our congregation suggested to me that Christmas should be renamed the Incarnation as in Incarnation Day. I agree with her godly suggestion. Christmas has lost its true meaning in much of modern life, not because we do not retell the Story as it was that first Christmas. We know well the who, the what, the where, the when - but in the passage of time and the fragility of human nature we have lost the WHY. But, if the Lord tarries, Christmas will come again, and this time we will not grow weary of the Story - because we know the WHY.

Yours in His love,

+Charles Morley

    Jose Rios, Bishop of Colombia, Cartegena - Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

 Jose began writing daily devotions in his native language on Christmas. If you would like to receive them by email, we would be happy to send them to you. Email aocworldwide@gmail.com.

  “De la Estrella a la Gloria: Contemplando a Cristo en el Tiempo de Epifanía”

Introducción:

La solemnidad de la Epifanía se alza en el calendario cristiano como un tiempo de luz teológica y contemplación reverente, en el cual la Iglesia confiesa que la gloria eterna del Verbo encarnado no permaneció oculta, sino que fue manifestada progresivamente para la salvación del mundo. “La Gloria Revelada: Las Manifestaciones de Cristo en la Epifanía” nace de esta convicción profunda: que la historia de la salvación alcanza en Cristo su pleno resplandor, y que la Iglesia, guiada por el Espíritu Santo, ha aprendido a contemplar este misterio a través de la oración, la liturgia y la meditación constante de las Escrituras. Desde los primeros siglos, la Epifanía fue celebrada como el día en que Cristo se dio a conocer a las naciones, cumplimiento de la promesa hecha a Israel: “Levántate, resplandece; porque ha venido tu luz, y la gloria de Jehová ha nacido sobre ti” (Isaías 60:1). San León Magno proclama con voz apostólica: “En la Epifanía del Señor se manifiesta la vocación de los gentiles, y la Iglesia, desde sus primicias, aprende a adorar a Cristo en todos los pueblos” (Sermón 31 sobre la Epifanía).

En Oriente y Occidente, la Epifanía se desarrolló como una gran síntesis teológica de las manifestaciones de Cristo: su nacimiento, su adoración por los magos, su bautismo y su primer signo en Caná. Mientras la tradición oriental subrayó de manera especial el Bautismo del Señor como revelación trinitaria —la Teofanía—, la tradición occidental acentuó la adoración de los magos como signo de la universalidad de la redención. La tradición Anglicana, heredera de ambas corrientes y fiel a la centralidad de la Escritura, recogió esta riqueza en el Libro de Oración Común, estructurando la Estación de Epifanía como un camino espiritual donde el creyente contempla, domingo tras domingo, la gloria de Cristo que se revela en palabra y obra. Tal como afirma San Agustín: “Hoy celebramos el día en que el Señor fue manifestado al mundo; no solo a los judíos, sino también a los gentiles, para que todos crean y vivan” (Sermón 202).

La Epifanía, celebrada el 6 de enero, conmemora ante todo la manifestación de Cristo a los gentiles en la adoración de los magos (Mateo 2:1–12). En ellos se cumple la esperanza veterotestamentaria de las naciones que caminan hacia la luz del Mesías, trayendo dones al Rey prometido (Isaías 60:3–6; Salmo 72). San Ireneo de Lyon interpreta este misterio diciendo: “Los magos adoraron al que era Rey eterno, reconociendo en el niño al cumplimiento de las profecías” (Contra las Herejías, III, 9,2). La Iglesia ve en este acontecimiento el anuncio de su propia misión: proclamar a Cristo como Señor de todos los pueblos.

La Primera Domínica después de Epifanía dirige nuestra mirada al niño Jesús en el templo (Lucas 2:41–52), donde su gloria se manifiesta en sabiduría y obediencia filial. Este episodio evoca al joven Samuel que servía ante el Señor (1 Samuel 3) y anticipa al Cristo que es la verdadera Sabiduría de Dios (Proverbios 8). Orígenes comenta: “Cristo es hallado en el templo porque allí se revela a quienes buscan con diligencia el sentido de la Ley y los Profetas” (Homilías sobre Lucas, 19). La Iglesia contempla aquí la santificación de la vida cotidiana y el crecimiento espiritual bajo la gracia divina.

En la Segunda Domínica después de Epifanía, la gloria de Cristo resplandece con singular claridad en su bautismo en el Jordán (Marcos 1:1–11), acontecimiento en el que el misterio de Dios se manifiesta de manera plena y luminosa como revelación trinitaria. Al abrirse los cielos, se rasga el velo que separa lo visible de lo invisible, y la economía de la salvación se deja contemplar en su profundidad: el Hijo amado se presenta en obediencia humilde, el Espíritu Santo desciende sobre Él en forma corporal como paloma, y la voz del Padre eterno proclama desde lo alto: “Tú eres mi Hijo amado; en ti tengo complacencia”. Esta declaración no solo autentica el ministerio público de Jesús, sino que revela su identidad eterna como el Hijo perfecto, consustancial al Padre, en quien descansa desde siempre el amor divino y la plenitud de la voluntad salvífica. Este misterio se halla profundamente enraizado en las figuras del Antiguo Testamento, que ahora alcanzan su cumplimiento. Las aguas primordiales de la creación, sobre las cuales se cernía el Espíritu de Dios (Génesis 1:2), encuentran en el Jordán su nueva creación, inaugurada por el Verbo encarnado. El paso del Mar Rojo (Éxodo 14), por el cual Israel fue liberado de la esclavitud, prefigura el tránsito bautismal que Cristo santifica, abriendo un camino de libertad y vida nueva. Asimismo, el cruce del Jordán bajo Josué (Josué 3), que introdujo al pueblo en la tierra prometida, señala anticipadamente al verdadero Josué —Jesús— que, al descender a las aguas, conduce a la humanidad hacia la herencia del Reino. En este acto, Cristo no se bautiza por necesidad propia, sino como el Nuevo Adán, solidarizándose con los pecadores para restaurar en sí mismo la creación caída. San Gregorio Nacianceno, al contemplar este misterio, proclama con profundidad teológica y fervor litúrgico: “Cristo es bautizado para santificar las aguas, y al salir de ellas eleva consigo a la creación entera” (Oración 39, Sobre las Luces). En el bautismo del Señor, la Iglesia reconoce no solo el inicio de la misión redentora de Cristo, sino también la consagración de las aguas como instrumento de gracia, mediante las cuales los creyentes son incorporados al Hijo y hechos partícipes de su filiación. Así, la Epifanía se convierte en fuente de renovación bautismal para la Iglesia, que, contemplando al Hijo amado en quien el Padre se complace, es llamada a vivir en el Espíritu como pueblo recreado, sellado por la voz del Padre y conformado a la imagen gloriosa de Cristo.

La Tercera Domínica después de Epifanía contempla la gloria de Cristo manifestada en las bodas de Caná (Juan 2:1–11), su primer signo, donde transforma el agua en vino. Aquí se revela el cumplimiento de las promesas mesiánicas de abundancia y gozo (Amós 9:13; Isaías 25:6). San Cirilo de Alejandría enseña: “Al convertir el agua en vino, Cristo muestra que Él es el Señor de la nueva alianza, que trae la plenitud donde antes había carencia” (Comentario al Evangelio de Juan, II). Este signo anticipa el banquete eucarístico y la gloria del Reino venidero.

En la Cuarta Domínica después de Epifanía, la gloria de Cristo se manifiesta de manera misericordiosa y poderosa como nuestra salud y salvación (Mateo 8:1–13), cuando el Señor extiende su mano para tocar al leproso y pronuncia su palabra eficaz para sanar al siervo del centurión. En estos signos, la compasión divina se une inseparablemente a la autoridad soberana del Hijo, revelando que en Cristo la santidad de Dios no excluye ni destruye al pecador, sino que lo purifica, lo restaura y lo reintegra plenamente a la comunión de la vida. La curación del leproso, figura de la humanidad herida y excluida por el pecado, evoca las promesas de purificación anunciadas en la Ley y los Profetas (Levítico 14; Ezequiel 36:25), mientras que la fe del centurión, gentil y extranjero, anticipa la extensión universal de la salvación más allá de los límites de Israel. Así se cumple la profecía del Siervo sufriente que “tomó nuestras enfermedades y llevó nuestros dolores” (Isaías 53:4), anunciando una restauración que abarca cuerpo, alma y espíritu. San Juan Crisóstomo subraya con claridad este misterio al afirmar: “Cristo sana con una palabra, mostrando que su autoridad es divina y que su misericordia alcanza a judíos y gentiles por igual” (Homilías sobre Mateo, 26), revelando que la Epifanía no solo proclama quién es Cristo, sino también qué trae consigo su manifestación: la vida sanada, reconciliada y renovada por la gracia del Reino de Dios.

La Quinta Domínica después de Epifanía presenta a Cristo como el Sembrador de la buena semilla (Mateo 13:24–30), imagen profundamente enraizada en la tradición profética de Israel, donde la Palabra de Dios es descrita como semilla viva y eficaz que desciende del cielo para dar fruto en la tierra (Isaías 55:10–11). En esta parábola, la gloria de Cristo se manifiesta no tanto en un acto inmediato de poder, sino en la sabiduría paciente del Reino, que crece silenciosa y misteriosamente en medio de las ambigüedades de la historia humana. El Hijo revela así el corazón del Padre, cuya misericordia concede tiempo para la conversión y cuyo designio redentor no se precipita al juicio, sino que espera la maduración del trigo hasta el día señalado de la siega. La coexistencia del trigo y la cizaña pone de relieve la condición peregrina de la Iglesia en el mundo, llamada a vivir en fidelidad y esperanza sin arrogarse un juicio que solo pertenece a Dios. San Agustín ilumina este misterio al afirmar: “La Iglesia peregrina vive entre el trigo y la cizaña, confiando en la justicia perfecta de Dios al final de los tiempos” (Cuestiones sobre los Evangelios, I, 10), recordando que la Epifanía no solo revela la gloria de Cristo como Señor del Reino, sino también su longanimidad divina, que sostiene a la Iglesia en la espera confiada de la consumación, cuando la verdad y la justicia resplandecerán plenamente en su presencia.

Finalmente, la Sexta Domínica después de Epifanía eleva la mirada de la Iglesia hacia la consumación de la historia, cuando la gloria de Cristo será manifestada en plenitud en su segunda venida (Mateo 24:23–31). Aquel que fue revelado en humildad en Belén, adorado por los magos y manifestado progresivamente en los signos de su ministerio, aparecerá entonces revestido de poder y majestad, no ya velado por la carne sufriente, sino glorificado como Señor del cielo y de la tierra. En este misterio escatológico convergen las visiones proféticas del Antiguo Testamento, especialmente la de Daniel, quien contempla al “Hijo del Hombre” viniendo sobre las nubes para recibir dominio eterno, gloria y reino (Daniel 7:13–14), figura que Cristo asume plenamente como cumplimiento definitivo de la esperanza de Israel. La Epifanía alcanza así su horizonte último: la revelación final del Rey que juzga con justicia, reúne a sus escogidos y restaura todas las cosas conforme al designio eterno del Padre. San Hipólito de Roma proclama con firmeza apostólica: “El mismo que vino en humildad volverá en gloria, para juzgar a vivos y muertos y restaurar todas las cosas” (Comentario sobre Daniel, IV), recordando a la Iglesia que vive entre la primera y la segunda manifestación del Señor, llamada a velar en fe, esperanza y santidad, aguardando con gozosa expectación el día en que la gloria de Cristo iluminará sin ocaso la nueva creación.

Este libro se ofrece, pues, como una guía pastoral y devocional al servicio de la Iglesia, destinada a acompañar al pueblo de Dios en el tránsito orante y reflexivo por la Estación de Epifanía conforme a la espiritualidad bíblica, litúrgica y sacramental del Libro de Oración Común. No se trata únicamente de una exposición doctrinal, sino de una invitación a la contemplación perseverante del misterio de Cristo tal como la Iglesia lo proclama, ora y celebra, para que la Palabra escuchada y meditada descienda al corazón y nutra la vida interior del creyente. Al recorrer estas santas manifestaciones del Señor, el cristiano es llamado a detenerse con asombro reverente ante la gloria revelada, a responder con adoración sincera y obediente, y a dejarse transformar interiormente por la gracia que emana del rostro de Cristo. Así, mirando con fe la gloria del Señor, el alma es conformada progresivamente a su imagen, santificada por su presencia y enviada al mundo como testigo de la luz que no se apaga, para reflejar en medio de las sombras de la historia a Cristo mismo, “luz verdadera que alumbra a todo hombre” (Juan 1:9), para la gloria de Dios y el bien de su Iglesia.

 

 

 Yves M. Méra, Bishop of France - AOC France Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide

 We are fortunate to have a sermon from the Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Orthodox Church of France and the Administrative Coordinator of Europe and Africa. As you will read, he is an excellent writer. The sermon is easy to read and provides much insight.

 the day of the Epiphany

Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12

 THE THREE WISE MEN

 After the Shepherds of Bethlehem, it is the three Magi who honor Our Lord Jesus with their presence and their gifts. The census of the population is over, and the Holy Family has found a rental in the city, fearing that Mary and the newborn child are still too weak to consider the return journey to Galilee, by mountainous roads.

Who are these Magi? Mage means: great. They are important personages, scholars, astronomers, probably priests of the cult of Zoroaster, or Zarathustra, who came from Persia. This pagan religion worshipped the stars, preached the coming of the Kingdom of Justice, of which the supreme god is the great King, and was critical of animal sacrifices in the name of the religion of the god Mazda. Zoroastrianism teaches the knowledge of good and evil; Only the learned choose the good and have a good conscience, the foolish choose the evil and are destined for the worst kind of existence. Zoroastrian priests came from the Mobad caste, wielding great political influence in the Persian state. These are the visitors who arrived in Bethlehem by following a bright star that appeared in the sky in the year 4 before the Christian era, according to the writings of the time, preserved on wooden tablets in South Korea, in the temple of Haen-Sa. And these scholars read the writings of the prophets of the Old Testament. They knew that a King of the Jews was to come, miraculously born of a Virgin and announced by an exceptional star.

They set out following this star as it spun westward, toward Judea. As soon as they saw it, they saddled their horses, impatient to know what this star meant, and whither it was going to lead them. This is how they arrived in Bethlehem, after a stopover in Jerusalem, at the home of King Herod. Note that pagans study the texts of all religions, including the Bible – and how could we not study the texts of our Bible? Through it, the Gentiles hope to find the knowledge of the true God - and we would neglect to deepen our knowledge of Christ? What kind of relationship can we expect to have with our Lord and Savior, if we do not read the writings of His witnesses—the gospel? Didn't St. Augustine say: "To ignore the Bible is to ignore Christ?"

And it was not out of simple Gnostic curiosity that three Magi undertook the journey to a God who was little known to them, but for a specific religious purpose (Matthew 2:1-2): " Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod. Now the wise men from the East came to Jerusalem and said, 'Where is the king of the Jews who has just been born? For we have seen his star in the East, and we have come to worship him." ". Was it a sincere statement, or was it a diplomatic allegation intended to conciliate the favors of King Herod and his believing and practicing Jewish subjects? Probably both at the same time. Being learned does not prevent you from being cautious, quite the contrary. However, the Magi unwittingly provoke a movement of general panic, because they announce the birth of another King, threatening by His very existence the crown of Herod who is already tottering on his throne (Matthew 2:3): " When King Herod heard this, he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him".

But in his trouble, Herod spills the beans and sends the Magi to Bethlehem, directly! (Matthew 2:4-8): " He gathered together all the chief priests and scholars of the law among the people and asked them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, "To Bethlehem in Judea, for this is what the prophet has written: And you, Bethlehem, the land of Judah, are certainly not the smallest of the chief cities of Judah, for from you will come a ruler who will take care of my people Israel." Then Herod sent for the Magi in secret; he carefully inquired of them when the star had appeared, and then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying: "Go and get exact information about the little child. When you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and worship him." ". Not even in a dream! Jesus Christ did not unnecessarily nickname Herod "the fox" (Luke 13:32): " ... and some Pharisees came and said to him, 'Go away, for Herod wants to kill you.' He replied, 'Go and tell this fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and do healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will be finished.'" ". Christ, the only begotten Son of the Father, knew that Herod was a fox, a liar, and therefore a son of the devil, an evildoer, always wanting to eliminate him physically, as he eliminated the prophet John the Baptist.

But our Father in Heaven watched over the three Magi and continued to guide them by the same star of the East, of that East where God is venerated without men knowing Him, because they still have the intuition of an almighty God, Creator of the Universe, without whom no life would be possible on earth (Isaiah 24:14b-16a):  " ... from the east, they celebrate the majesty of the Lord. Therefore give glory to the Lord in the places where the light shines, in the name of the LORD, of the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea. From the end of the earth we hear singing: "Glory to the Just!" ". If even the pagans give glory to the God of Creation, the atheists are deluded, rejecting even the idea of Creation. They know, however, that from generation to generation, their ancestors whom they did not know necessarily existed, otherwise they would not be here, for there is no spontaneous generation; and there must have been a beginning in all these generations, a first man, created by a single God, living and true, all-powerful, and therefore capable of creating Adam and Eve, our first progenitors. In short, if living man exists, it is necessarily through the will and effectiveness of a single, living and true God: our Father in Heaven!

And so it is that the three Magi find the house of the Holy Family in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:9-10): " When they heard the king, they departed. The star which they had seen in the East went before them until it came to a halt when it came over the place where the little child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with great joy." They did not think they would find the little Jesus so easily, at the end of such a long and perilous journey! Once there, they did not linger (Matthew 2:11): "They went into the house, saw the little child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." Note also this: the Magi do not pay attention to Mary; all their homage and gifts are for Jesus. None of the three Magi arrives empty-handed, which in the East would be insulting.

The three Magi therefore offer Jesus three gifts: first, gold, from which the crowns of kings are made, a symbol of wealth and power; then incense, symbol of the prayer to God who ascends to Heaven - Jesus is then designated not only as the king of the Jews, but also as the true God. Finally, the Magi offer myrrh, a medicinal analgesic plant, and in this way they announce the sufferings of the same Jesus, some thirty years later, tortured and then crucified on Mount Golgotha to snatch us from the clutches of the devil where Adam's sin and ours have precipitated, bound and chained us. And it is through His resurrection on the third day that Christ has set us free, forgiven, justified, and glorified us, if we believe in Jesus Christ and are united to Him by faith, in thanksgiving.

And our Father was not only watching over the three Magi: He was protecting His Son in His youth, for God's Plan was for Him to live in order to die as an adult on a wooden cross. Our Father therefore guides the three Magi on the road back, so that Herod does not find Him, and eliminates Him (Matthew 2:12): "Then, warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they returned to their country by another way." How can we not think that once they arrived in Persia, they certainly continued to venerate Jesus, the only true God and King of kings, the One whom they saw alive with their own eyes, after having waited for Him, sought Him and finally found Him? (Luke 11:9): " And I say to you, Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you." God allows Himself to be found by those who seek Him in Sacred Scripture, as the three Magi did at the beginning.

Paul took the opposite path, to evangelize the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1-2): " I, Paul, am the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, if you have learned how I share the grace of God which has been entrusted to me for you." Paul sought God in the rites and details of the Jewish Law and its 613 commandments. But Christ was not with Saul until He revealed Himself to him, on the road to Damascus, in pagan territory, precisely (Ephesians 3:3): " By revelation he made known to me this mystery as I have already described it in a few words ". It is often on a road, when we are already on the way, that Christ reveals Himself to us, as He revealed Himself to the pilgrims to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-15): " That same day two disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, a dozen miles away from Jerusalem. They discussed everything that had happened together. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them... ".

Christ made Himself known to Saul and renamed him Paul, just as the same Christ renamed Simon by calling him Peter. Both were thus designated as leaders of evangelistic teams, Peter for the Jews, and Paul for the non-Jews. By revealing Himself to Paul, Christ made Himself known to him (Ephesians 3:5-9): " He was not made known to men of past generations, as he has now been revealed by the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that the Gentiles are joint-heirs with the Jews, that they form a body with them and participate in the same promise in Christ, through the Gospel. I became His servant in accordance with the gift of God's grace, which was bestowed upon me because of the efficacy of His power. I, who am the least of all the saints, have received the grace to proclaim among the Gentiles the infinite riches of Christ and to bring to light how the mystery hidden from all eternity in God, who created everything, is realized." To evangelize is to serve God the Son, through His Holy Spirit, by doing the Father's will.

The place of the knowledge of God was Bethlehem for the three Magi, but Jesus is no longer in Bethlehem. He ascended to Heaven. From there He makes His dwelling in the hearts of believers faithful to His Word (Revelation 3:20): " Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will go in to his house, I will sup with him and he with me." The most suitable place and the goal of evangelization is therefore a table simply garnished: the Table of the Lord! In a few moments we shall pass to this table, but we must first cleanse ourselves from our sins by repentance, by virtue of the merits gained for us by our Lord and Saviour at the cross of Calvary. We remember this because " in accordance with the eternal plan which he fulfilled in Christ Jesus our Lord, it is in Christ, through faith in him, that we have the liberty to draw near to God with confidence " (Ephesians 3:11-12).

You've certainly noticed that I've skipped verse 10 – and here's why: I've saved it for last, because it's extremely important. Indeed, he speaks of the role of the Church of Christ. Here it is (Ephesians 3:10): " So the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places now know through the church the infinitely varied wisdom of God." Paul makes it clear that the church is not an end in itself, but a MEANS to know God. Her role is not to glorify herself or her pastors, but to glorify God alone (Soli Deo gloria). The Church of Christ is therefore teaching by nature. It teaches the Word of God - the Bible - which contains what God wants to reveal to us about His Wisdom. How many preaching deviates from this objective in order to lose oneself in the meanders of moralism and politics! God will judge.

And this Wisdom of God is infinite, " infinitely varied "; it is universal. It cannot be contained in a church building or temple, but in the hearts of the "living stones" that we are (1 Peter 2:4-5): "Draw near to Christ, the living stone rejected by men but chosen and precious before God, and yourselves, as living stones, let yourselves be built up into a spiritual house, a group of holy priests,  in order to offer spiritual sacrifices that God can accept through Jesus Christ ." The Church of Christ is provisional; it is only the antechamber of the Kingdom of Heaven. When the end of this world comes, the antechamber will no longer exist, for it will no longer have a reason to exist: we will have entered the Kingdom, and we will live in the presence of God, our Savior and King. And like the three Magi, we will pay our respects to him, with our gratitude and love, forever. Amen.

Rt. Rev. Yves Méra, AOC Bishop of France.

 

 

 Rev Bryan Dabney of Saint John’s AOC Vicksburg, Mississippi   

 

 We are fortunate to have Bryan’s Sunday Sermon. If you want people  to come to The Truth, you have to speak the truth, espouse the truth and live the truth. This is really a good piece and I commend it to your careful reading.

 

 Second Sunday after Christmas

 

One the things that sets off the unregenerate is our insistence on interpreting  scripture based on what the Bible says and not solely on what men say. They insist that because of their “education— degrees, titles and positions of authority, etc.—their understanding of the sacred texts should be considered the only interpretation worthy of acceptance in explaining the meaning of Holy Scripture to others. The Bible tells us that God’s truth has been hidden from the worldly and profane. It does not matter how much “so-called” education they have if what they are peddling is not in congruence with God’s word written, then it should not be accepted as such. In the Book of Daniel we read, And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand: but the wise shall understand (12:10). Consider also the apostle Paul’s second epistle to the Corinthians wherein he wrote: But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them (4:3-4). And let us also keep in mind what he wrote in his first epistle to that same church when he advised: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent (1:18-19).

And in his letter to the Colossians, the apostle Paul wrote that, For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God; and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (2:1-3). And in response to these verses from Colossians, the Rev. Matthew Henry noted that, “The treasures of wisdom are hidden not from us, but for us, in Christ” which is in keeping with our Lord’s offering of thanks to the Father when he prayed: I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes (St. Matthew 11:25).

As born-again believers in Jesus Christ, we recognize that God’s word is truth (St. John 17:17). And because it is truth, we rely upon it to help us as we journey on as pilgrims and strangers bound for glory. The wise of this world rely upon their own understanding of the things which will lead them to only one place. Hell is full of those who did what was right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25): who viewed themselves as being righteous by their own efforts (Revelation 3:17). We may safely refer to such behavior as the way of Cain and is so-called because Cain— and others like him— rejected God’s standards in favor of those of their own choosing (St. Jude 3-19). The wise and the prudent— such as the scribes, and Pharisees— were fit examples of those who used their knowledge and wisdom for personal gain and not to the glory of the Godhead.

Today, the wise can be found within the body of Christ serving in various capacities. They might be seminary doctors, clergy or even lay people. And like those of our Lord’s day, they too are his enemies through their rejection of him as the Christ, the only begotten of the Father. However, they are not without a lord and master. For in their rejection of the living Christ, they have embraced “another Jesus”— which is Antichrist— and “another gospel”— which is the false gospel of perdition (see Galatians 1:6-9).

As faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, we ought to avoid “the unequal yoke” of fellowship with those who are not in keeping with the fundamentals of the Christian faith. And that can be difficult on account of Satan’s mortal agents within the various churches. For through these errant souls, the Devil has sought to deceive and trap the unwary and the unlearned by misrepresenting God’s will for them especially when it comes to “compromise” and “dialogue” with those who bear only the name of Christ but not his nature. We further understand that every form of compromise will require at least one party to give up something in hopes of gaining something else. And what are the usual and expected items to be sacrificed by believing Christians in any compromise with the unregenerate? In every case they are the tenets of sound Christian doctrine. And to that end, Satan desires that all regenerate believers “compromise” and “dialogue.” He wants to replace the unity of all under our Lord with a unity of all under his rule and authority (see II Corinthians 6:14-18 and Revelation 13:1-18). It’s as if we are reliving Genesis 11 and the attempt by Satan’s man, Nimrod, to join all humanity together under a single leader. Eventually, all who reject the one true Christ of Scripture will worship the Dragon and the Beast (Revelation 13:1-7).

Beloved in Christ, biblical doctrines matter. They matter because it is through them that we are informed about our relationship with the Godhead. And sound biblical doctrines have been paid for not only in the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, but in the blood of countless Christian martyrs who stood up for the truth of God’s word in the face of all manner of persecutions. If we have any understanding of the truth of Jesus Christ, we ought to be filled with thanks to God for the sacrifice of those who went before us in the faith. And in that light, should we not exercise great care in preserving what has been handed down to us? Should we not resist the Devil and his pernicious followers who are merely wolves in sheep’s clothing (St. Matthew 7:15)? Absolutely! It is important for everyone who has been born again of the Spirit to resist the temptation to follow after those whose earthly credentials give them an appearance of godly wisdom, but whose hearts are cut from the same cloth as those of the scribes and Pharisees of our Lord’s day. Just as those evil men hid behind their monikers of piety and religion, so do their contemporaries within the Christian Church. The modernists are ashamed of the risen Lord whose name they bear because his true nature does not fit within their jaded and compromised definition of what it means to be a Christian. We must ever be watchful and on our guard against their offers of “compromise” and “dialogue”. And you can count on their master sending them to us, so we must be ready at all times clothed in our spiritual armor.

We need to know what is in our bibles and not what is in the latest book by “Rev./Dr. So-in-So” if such conflicts with God’s word written. We need to keep our hearts focused on the truth of God’s word written and not on the pronouncements of “Bishop This-or-That” should it also deviate from what can be proved via the scriptures. We need to hear the truth of God’s word from a believing minister and not sit by idly Sunday after Sunday in a church where God’s word is twisted and tortured by “Rev./Pastor Mr. or Ms. Such-in-Such” who would not know the living Christ if he suddenly appeared before them.

It is my hope that if you have not done so, you will develop a lively faith in Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord. That you will seek to live in obedience to God’s word as found within the pages of Scripture. And in that vein, I admonish each of you to be wise in Christ and to prepare yourselves so that you are not caught unawares. Christ is coming back and he will judge both the wicked and the righteous. Therefore, my advice to you is this: avoid the web of lies that has been spun by Satan’s cronies both within and without the church. Keep to God’s word written and steer clear of all who will not follow it. And may our Lord and God bless and keep you all in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Let us pray,

O gracious Father, who has given to us the free gift of salvation through thine only begotten Son; keep us from all deception, and give us hearts that are ever ready to resist until the end; so that at the last, we need not be ashamed to stand before thy Son and give an account of our lives in thy service; and these things we ask in that name which is above every name even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 Have a Blessed Week,

Bryan+

Roy Morales-Kuhn, Bishop and Pastor 
Saint Paul's Anglican Church - Diocese of the Midwest Anglican Orthodox Church 
Suffragan Bishop of the AOC

  

The Epiphany, or the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles

Holy Communion

The Epiphany

O GOD, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

The Epistle. Ephesians 3: 1-12

¹For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, ²If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: ³How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, ⁴Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) ⁵Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; ⁶That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: ⁷Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. ⁸Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; ⁹And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: ¹⁰To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, ¹¹According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: ¹²In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

The Gospel. St. Matthew 2:1-12

¹Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, ²Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. ³When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. ⁵And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, ⁶And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. ⁷Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. ⁸And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. ⁹When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. ¹⁰When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. ¹¹And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. ¹²And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

                                                    MISSION AND MESSAGE

  Let’s think about the two distinct and yet related messages we read in today scripture.  When Paul is explaining the mission of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the mostly Gentile readers of his letter to the church at Ephesus, he is very direct. There is no ambiguity to his message; “..⁶That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:” (Ephesians 3:6) Paul is both informing the Gentile members of the church AND the Jewish members that the gospel of Christ, revealed first to the Jew and later to the Gentile converts in the congregation that they were one and the same.  Period.

“... ⁸is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; ⁹And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ...” (Ephesians 3:8-10)

Why was this so important that Paul needed to drill down on this concept?  There were elements of what would later be known as ‘Judaizers’ who were adding to the simplicity of the gospel by teaching that all new gentile believers had to become Jewish converts first before they could convert to the faith once delivered.  This added step was taught as necessary for salvation, contrary to the true Gospel. A new believer did not have to adhere to Jewish customs and laws in order to be fit for regeneration. There are still groups to this day that try to teach you must belong to one or another “true” church, following the rules and traditions of said church, in order to be accepted by God.  There is no truth in that.  Paul makes this clear in the next three verses:

 ¹⁰To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, ¹¹According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: ¹²In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. (Ephesians 3:10-12)

 Within the Gospel reading from the second chapter of Matthew we see the launch of the universal salvation message of Christ Jesus birth.  A group of astronomer/astrologers come to visit he who was announced by the stars: ²Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.  Understand that these men spent their lives studying the heavens, the planets, the stars for signs and meaning.  To them the star that suddenly appeared where there were no stars of that magnitude, caused them to take notice. They followed this start as it led them from somewhere east of Jerusalem to the west.  God would use the stars and the heavens to reveal His work.  This was not a call to study astrology, it was a notice to man to watch the heavens, to understand the creation, to see His glory in the day to day, month to month, year to year progression of planets, stars, comets, and other heavenly events. 

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. ²Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. ³There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. ⁴Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun. (Psalm 19:1-4)

  We read in the book of Job, in Ezekiel, among others, where the heavens, the firmament declare the glory of the LORD. 

So as we read of the arrival of the wise men from the East we should understand that God uses all of His creation to announce and declare His message. In this particular instance, He is announcing and fulfilling prophecy that was uttered centuries before, concerning His plan for redeeming that which was lost: mankind. God fulfilled his covenant with Adam by revealing to the world, the Messiah, who would redeem that which Adam lost in the Garden in the beginning. The Wise men were part of this ongoing message and mission that was put into motion back at the Garden. “…⁹and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. ¹⁰When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. ¹¹And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him” (Matthew 2:9-11)

  As we contemplate the meaning of the Epiphany, let us thank God that in His wisdom, he included us, those outside of the gates of Judaism, to be part of the redeemed. He reached down through the Halls of Time and provided a means of Salvation for us all, in the death, burial, and resurrection of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. This event will be the beginning of a world wide plan of salvation, this will be our salvation from suffering the eternal separation from God our creator. Thank you God for providing to your creatures, this means of salvation, through this most dear and costly sacrifice, your Son, who ‘while we were yet sinners, died for our sins’.

Let us pray:

O Heavenly Father, who hast filled the world with beauty: Open, we beseech thee, our eyes to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works, that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, we may learn to serve thee with gladness, for the sake of him by whom all things were made, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 NOW the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

                                                                                + Bishop Roy Morales-Kuhn

 

   

 The Rev. Don Fultz
Rector of St. Peter’s AOC located in the AOC National Office

 We are grateful to have this sermon today from the Rev. Don Fultz - St. Peter's AOC, Statesville, NC

Second Sunday after Christmas

Sermon:  Luke 2: 21-35

In today’s Gospel reading, we have the history of one whose name is nowhere else mentioned in the New Testament, a “just and devout man” called Simeon. We know nothing of his life before or after the time when Christ was born. The story as told by St. Luke tells us that the Holy Spirit had come upon Simeon and promised him that he would see the Messiah before he died. We are told that the Holy Spirit lead him into the temple at the same time that the child Jesus was brought there by Mary and Joseph for the ceremony of the consecration of the first born son. 

Simeon was a faithful Jew who looked forward to the consolation of Israel. He longed to see the Messiah.  In some ways, he may not have been particularly unique.  The faithful of his day looked for God’s action in the world. The words of Isaiah were familiar to them: “Comfort Ye, comfort ye people… prepare ye the way of the Lord.” (Isa 40:1, 3) They longed for the day when they would “go out in joy and be led forth with peace”. (Isa 55:12) Despite the fact that Isaiah’s prophecy was roughly 600 years earlier, comfort had not yet come.

Since the time of the exile, Israel had been invaded and conquered a number of times. Simeon lived under the Roman occupation, which began approximately 60 years before Jesus was born. The day when a Jewish monarch faithfully ruled Israel was in the far distant past, a glorious memory, but that day and its return remained an ever-present hope.

One day, the Anointed One would come to restore the people and the nation. Not all was well in the world in which Simeon lived so, of course, he longed for the consolation of Israel. He, as an elderly man visiting the temple, represented the long-standing hopes of the people of Israel. 

While in many ways Simeon was like his contemporaries, he was also unique. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he saw the Messiah.   Guided by that same Spirit, Simeon found himself in the Temple the same day Mary and Joseph came to fulfill the requirements of the law.  In walks the Holy Family, whom Simeon seems to immediately recognize.

When Simeon saw the baby Jesus, he “took him up into his arms and blessed God in the following words:

“Lord, now lettest thy servant depart in peace according to thy word. For my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou have prepared before the face of all people; to be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel.”

These words which are now well known all over the world as the Nunc Dimittis, commonly referred to as the song of Simeon.  Simeon includes two themes in his words about Christ which few others would have linked to the Messiah:   Inclusion of the Gentiles and suffering. Both these themes are found in Isaiah chapters 40-55 and we suppose that the study of this Prophet was a major source of Simeon’s inspiration.  

The long-awaited Messiah is here. He has arrived.  The journey of waiting is over.  Praise God. 

 We can appreciate Simeon’s joy.  In our own way, during the season of Advent we have waited again for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. 

The Christian church intentionally sets aside the four weeks of Advent for waiting and preparation.  On Sunday, two weeks ago , we celebrated our Lord’s birth with worship, a candle light service, and a special potluck meal.   Once more we can declare Jesus is born. Christ is come!

We see in the case of Simeon, how God has a believing people even in the worst of places, and in the darkest of times.  True religion was at very low point in Israel when Christ was born.  The faith of Abraham was spoiled and corrupted by the Pharisees, Scribes and the Sadducees.  Yet even in the midst of a corrupt Jerusalem there was a “just and devout,” man upon whom the Holy Spirit fell.

It is encouraging that God never leaves Himself entirely without a witness.  Small as His believing Church may sometimes be, the gates of hell shall never completely prevail against it.  The true Church may be driven into the wilderness, and be a scattered little flock, but it never dies.

 Let us believe that Grace can live and flourish even in the most unfavorable conditions. There are more Simeon’s in this world than we realize.  We see in the Song of Simeon how completely a believer can be delivered from the fear of death, “Lord,” said old Simeon in verse 29, “Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace.”  He speaks like one for whom the grave has lost its terrors and the world its charm.  He desires to be released from the misery of this world and to be allowed to go home. As St. Paul tells us in 2^nd Cor. Chapter 5, verse 8:  He is willing to be absent from the body and present with the Lord.  He speaks as one who knows where he is going and cares not how soon he goes.  The change in him will be a change for the better.

What is it that can enable mortal man to use such language as this?  What can deliver us from that fear of death?

What can take the sting of death away? There is but one answer.  Nothing but strong faith in Jesus Christ can do it.  Faith laying firm hold on an unseen Savior -- Faith resting on the promises of an unseen God. Faith and faith alone can enable man to look death in the face, and say, I depart in peace.  When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, he defeated death.   If we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we no longer have to fear death just like Simeon.   It is not enough just to be weary of pain and sickness and ready to submit to anything.  It is not enough to feel indifferent to the world when we have no more strength to mingle in it. We must have something more than this, if we desire to depart in real peace. 

We must have faith like old Simeon’s, that faith which is the gift of God, just as Ephesians 2:8 tells us “For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God.”  This is not blind faith but faith in God’s promises in his word proved absolutely reliable and true through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  St. Paul rejects this blind faith doctrine when he says in 1^st Cor. 15:17 “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is in vain; ye are yet in your sins.”  Paul doesn’t encourage a faith that rejects evidence. Instead, he pins the truth of Christianity on a historical event which can be tested for truth by reason and evidence.  Without such faith, we may die quietly and there may seem no bonds in our death, but dying without faith, we shall never find ourselves at the heavenly home of our Lord and Savior.

So how do we define faith?  Let us look at the biblical definition of faith in Hebrew chapter 11 verse one which says: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  So what are the things pertaining to ‘hoped” for and not seen.”  Faith is confidence about things hoped for, such as the coming of the Lord (Tit. 2:13), and the resurrection of the dead (Acts 24:15). 

Faith is the conviction of things not seen such as the existence of God (whom no man hath seen or can see) (1 Tim. 6:16) and the creation of the universe (Heb. 11:3). Yet faith is that strong conviction that such matters are true.

Well renown author and Minister Charles Spurgeon in his book titled “All of Grace” says that Faith is made of three components-knowledge, belief, and trust.  He puts knowledge first and supports it by several biblical passages such as Romans 10:14:  “How shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard” and Romans 10:17 “Faith cometh by hearing”.

I think we all want to be informed of a fact before we can possibly believe it.   So we must first hear, in order that we may know what is to be believed.  We can gain this knowledge in several ways.  

We can attend church and listen to God’s word or listen to TV or radio ministers.  I feel the most important way is to read and study the bible and find what it says about Christ, His plan of Salvation and the doctrine of the sacrifice of Christ.  Here at St. Peters we use only the King James Version and the Matthew Henry Study bible. We feel it is the most accurate in its translation.   I have attended several churches and they all used different versions of the bible.     

So Faith begins with knowledge.  Once, we have gained the knowledge, our mind goes on to believe that these things are true.   We believe that God is the creator of the universe, and that he hears us when we cry out for help.   In our hearts, we will believe that Jesus Christ is our God and Savior, the Redeemer of men, the Lord of Lords, and the King of Kings.   We will believe like St. John tells us in 1 John 1:7 that “The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s dear Son, cleanseth us from all sin”.  That who so ever believeth on Jesus is not condemned but his sins are washed away.

The last component of faith is trust. So we must now commit ourselves to the mercy of God.  We must rest our hope on the Gospel and trust our soul on the dying and living Savior who shed his blood for us.   Trust is the lifeblood of faith and there is no saving faith without it. 

Reverend Spurgeon sums up faith as follows:  “Faith is believing that Christ is what he is said to be, and that He will do what He has promised to do, and then to expect this of Him.”  This is called saving faith, and he that has it hath everlasting life.  Hebrews chapter 11 is the faith chapter of the bible and I strongly recommend reading and studying it.

We see furthermore in the song of Simeon, what a clear view of Christ’s work and office some Jewish believers had, even before the Gospel was preached. 

We find this good old man saying of Jesus that He is “the salvation which God has prepared,” – “as a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.”  Well would it have been for the learned Scribes and Pharisees of Simeon’s time if they had sat at his feet and listened to his words.

Christ was indeed a “light to lighten the Gentiles.” Without Him they would have remained in gross darkness and ignorance.  They knew not the way of life.  They worshipped false idols, the works of their own hands.  Their wisest philosophers were utterly ignorant when it came to spiritual things.  The Gospel of Christ was like sunrise to the nations of Greece and Rome and the entire heathen world.  The light which it revealed was as different as night is to day.  Christ was indeed the glory of Israel.

The descendants of Abraham, the covenants, the promises, the Law of Moses, all these were mighty privileges.  But all were as nothing compared to the mighty fact that out of Israel was born the Savior of the world.   This was to be the highest honor of the Jewish nation, that the mother of Christ was a Jewish woman and that His blood was to atone for the sins of the world. 

The words of old Simeon will yet receive a fuller accomplishment.  The light which he saw by faith, as he held the child Jesus in his arms, shall yet shine so brightly that all of the nations of the Gentile world shall see it.  The glory of that Jesus whom Israel crucified shall one day be so clearly revealed to the scattered Jews, that they shall look on Him whom they have pierced.  If Christ be the light and the glory of our souls, that day can never come too soon.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen

AOC Worldwide Prayer List –

I have received updates from a few and those will be the first added to the list. Please send all prayer requests and updates to aocworldwide@gmail.com for future reports. If you would like to be removed from list just respond with remove in the subject line.

 

             

Prayer Needed:

Perry Willliams Family – mourning loss of Perry

Alice Gamumnitz Family – mourning loss of Alice

Bobby Bryan – cancer and cardiac issues

Sandy – broken Femur

Ophelia – crippling arthritis pain

Dennis Potrikus - fall with bad knees – recovering his rehab

Paul Meier – throat cancer- radiation treatment successful

Richard Bailey – Brain Cancer

Marilee – Mastectomy Update – radiation Treatment just completed

Donna – ongoing radiation and Chemotherapy. Pray for successful remission

Roy – Bulging disc – upcoming surgery

Michelle – metastasized lung cancer – treatment ongoing

 

Extended Issues need continued prayer;

Laurie with long Covid Symptoms - Extreme exhaustion, heart palpitations, breathing problems and unstable blood pressures are constant worries causing depression to settle in.

Malcom Allred – Cancer Treatment

 Keep Praying for the following:

Shamu-health issues, Jan Jessup-neuro dementia, AOC USA, AOC Missions,
Harper-IBS, Jim Sevier- God’s Peace, Linda – multiple myeloma, pneumonia, Marianne -mourning loss of mother, Donna-chemotherapy, Alicia-caregiver, Sophie, Colin and Lori Beall – cancer, Toni – cancer, Donna  - cancer, Malou – cancer, Archie, Eloise, Janice, Dakota,
Katie, Finley, Mike & Gayle, Bobby, Effie, Kamil, Joyce

 

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[1] No so surprising a comparison as you might think if you knew little of literature. The great fantasy and children’s writers, John Ronald Reuel (JRR) Tolkien, Clive Stapleton (CS) Lewis and Gilbert Keith (GK) Chesterton were all friends and more importantly, devoted well educated Christians.   While they are famous for their apparently secular fantasy writings, there is a Christian theme woven through each of their works.