2 Epiphany Year B/January 14, 2024
1 Samuel 3:1-10, Psalm 139: 1-5, 12-17, John 1:43-51
Opening Prayer: Another day begins, Lord and with it another chance to start afresh with You. May we open our eyes to Your light. May we hear Your voice above the noises of life. May we be filled with anticipation of what we can be with You by our side. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Church of Scotland)
Today is a new day…a new chance to start afresh by opening our eyes to the presence of God all around us, to open our ears to listen for the voice of God speaking to us, and to begin again by making a decision to say yes today, and in the coming year to Jesus’ daily invitation to Follow me…and walk with me…one day at a time…
Jesus says, Follow me, spend time with me, get to know me, as I know you and see you…I will open your eyes to see the light all around us…
Jesus says, Follow me, spend time with me, get to know me, as I know you and hear you…so that you will hear God’s voice above the noises of life…
Jesus says, Follow me, spend time with me, get to know me, as I know you and ever walk beside you … so that you will be filled with anticipation of what each one of you can be, knowing that I am always by your side…
But don’t just follow me and get to know me…invite others to come and see for themselves, too…
In a world, where so many folks, don’t feel seen, heard, or acknowledged as a beloved child of God, acknowledged as a child of God who is part of God’s dream and vision of a world where there is freedom, justice and peace among all God’s people…we can be that beacon of light, that voice of a loving God, that compassionate and trust-worthy presence…that assures others that they are not forgotten…that they too are seen, heard, and loved by a God, who walks ever beside us, and who wants better things for all of us, than we can desire or pray for…
The gospel reading today takes place at the start of Jesus' public ministry in Galilee and the calling of some of the first disciples. Jesus invites Philip to “Follow me”. Philip seems to know that Jesus is indeed the one the prophets spoke about, and was excited and enthusiastic about sharing this good news with Nathanael. Nathanael seemed to be hesitant to believe what Philip was telling him, so Philip simply invites him to “come and see”…it wasn’t until Nathanael had an encounter with Jesus himself, when he felt he was seen, known, heard, acknowledged…that he declared his belief that Jesus, indeed, was the promised One, the Son of God. We don’t hear what comes next…only that Jesus tells him... You will see greater things than these…
So, you see…it doesn’t stop with you and I individually following Jesus, getting to know Jesus, and how the love of God made known to us through him, has made a difference in our lives…
We can’t keep it a secret or hoard it for ourselves…The love of God, the presence of God, the justice of God, the peace and the hope of God is for all people…it is good news that is meant to be shared…
It’s our turn now, whoever we are, where-ever we are, to invite others to come and see just who this Jesus and his love is all about…to encourage them and inspire them to open up their hearts and minds to an encounter with Jesus and his transforming love…
With an enlightened heart and mind, every one of us, through the power of the Holy Spirit…can go out into the world, multiplying this force of love that can only grow in all of us, and all around us…the more we share it with others…
That might look like inviting someone to lunch, or to church, to a bible study, a book group, a beading group…It might look like inviting some to join you in a walk or a drive around town…It might look like volunteering with the Homeless Coalition, or at the winter emergency shelter; or as a Braveheart volunteer; it may look like inviting someone to attend an AA meeting with you; it may look like being a friend to another student at school, or a teacher or parent who advocates for their child…asking only of all of us…to help this beloved child of God to know they are seen, heard, and will ever have a loving presence that will walk with them always…
Every new day, we are given the opportunity to look all around us…and point others to the love and light in this life that is found in following the way of life that Jesus modeled for us…
A way of life that affirms that we are all beloved children of God…and that he intimately cares for each one of us…he knows us, he searches our hearts, he protects us, he loves us, and he is always near...there is no place we can go…that we will be forgotten or out of his care…
Today, and every day…is a new opportunity to start afresh with following Jesus, getting to know Jesus, as Jesus knows us, hears us, and promises to ever be with us, and walk with us…
Today, and every day, we are called anew to invite others to come and see…
Come and see what happens when our eyes are opened to the see the light all around us…
Come and see what happens when we hear God’s voice above the noises of life…
Come and see what happens when we are filled with anticipation of what each one of us can be, knowing that God is always by our side…
Closing Prayer/Hymn: Lift Every Voice and Sing II - #16 You Are Near
Yahweh, I know You are near,
standing always at my side.
You guard me from the foe.
And You lead me in ways everlasting.
Lord, You have searched my heart,
and You know when I sit and when I stand.
Your hand is upon me protecting me from death,
keeping me from harm. Refrain
Where can I run from Your love?
If I climb to the heavens You are there;
If I fly to the sunrise or sail beyond the sea,
still I’d find You there. Refrain
You know my heart and its ways,
You who formed me before I was born,
In the secret of darkness before I saw
the sun in my mother’s womb. Refrain
Marvelous to me are Your works;
how profound are Your thoughts, my Lord.
Even if I could count them, they number as the stars,
You would still be there. Refrain
Rev Julie Platson
St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church
Sitka, Alaska