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The Season of Epiphany 2017 (Year A)

Notable Feast Days this Week:

January 30 - The Three Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, and John Chrysostom (Eastern Calendars)
January 31 - John Bosco, 1888 (Roman Catholic)
February 1 - Brigid of Ireland, 523
February 2 - The Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple
February 3 - Anskar, Scandinavian Bishop, 865
February 5 - Agatha, Martyr from Sicily, 251

Liturgical Color - Green

Revised Common Lectionary

Isaiah 58:1-12
Psalm 112
1 Corinthians 2:1-16
Matthew 5:13-20

Daily Readings (RCL)

Forward

-The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany- February 5, 2017 (Year A)

Salt and Light
"How do we please God? By caring for the poor and working toward justice (Isaiah 58:1-9,12), exhibiting courage, fearing the Lord and following his commandments (Psalm 112:1-9,10) and living in the Spirit, depending on the power of God rather than the power of rhetoric (1 Corinthians 2:1-12,13-16). In this way, we become the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-20)."
-Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional

The Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple (Candlemas)

This Thursday, February 2nd marks the feast day of The Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple. Counting forward from Christmas Day, "...we find that day forty is February 2nd. A Jewish woman is in semi-seclusion for 40 days after giving birth to a son...it is on February 2nd that we celebrate the coming of Mary and Joseph with the infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to offer sacrifice, both on behalf of Mary and on behalf of Jesus as a first-born male. As they did so, they were greeted by the aged Simeon." It is in this context that the Nunc Dimittis is sung by Simeon, and the light of Christ as the fulfillment of salvation history is further revealed.

Scripture Readings: Malachi 3:1-4, Psalm 84, Hebrews 2:14-18, and Luke 2:22-40

Resources for This Week in the Revised Common Lectionary

- The Bible Project video overviews of Isaiah 40-66, Matthew 1-13, Matthew 14-28, and 1 Corinthians.

- PPT Slideshows (Art and Scripture) for every Sunday in Year A.

-Commentary on Psalm 112: Charles Spurgeon, Benedict XVI, John Paul II, Augustine, and Calvin.

- "The Cost of Discipleship" - A full PDF copy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's classic exposition of The Sermon on the Mount.

- A prayer inspired by Psalm 112 from Psalms for All Seasons.

God of Light,
in your commandments we find life, and your wisdom is true happiness.
Inspire us to live generously and to act justly,
so that our lives may reflect your love and righteousness,
and your name may be praised, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

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Psalm of the Week

Scripture Readings

Psalm 112

"Praise the Lord.

Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
who find great delight in his commands.

Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
who conduct their affairs with justice..."

Isaiah 58:1-12
The fast chosen by God

1 Corinthians 2:1-16
The wisdom of God revealed through the Holy Spirit

Matthew 5:13-20
Salt and light

Daily Readings
Revised Common Lectionary

Daily Readings
Book of Common Prayer

The Entire Bible in One Year

Chronological

Practicing Prayer

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. -from The Book of Common Prayer

Contemplative Prayer (View and Download)

Daily Prayer (View and Download)

Audio Prayer Meditation - Pray As You Go

Psalm 112 Spotify Playlist

More Spotify Psalms Playlists...

Singing Psalms and Hymns

Nunc Dimittis (Song of Simeon) | by Eric Gilbert | Leadsheet |Leadsheet (Guitar)

Psalm 112 (Tune: Ode to Joy)| text by Timothy Tennet | Leadsheet

Justice Will Roll Down | by Sandra McCraken | Leadsheets

The Kingdom of God | by The Community of Taize | Leadsheet

Hymn Suggestions for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany from Hymnary.org

Psalm 112 Metrical Options

Resources for Pointed Chant

Resources for Plainchant

Read about "Singing the Psalms: A Guide for Modern Worship" by Ashley Danyew

Commentary on Matthew 5:1-12

"You are the light of the world—not of a single nation nor of twenty cities but of the entire inhabited earth. You are like a light for the mind, far better than any particular sunbeam. Similarly, you are spiritual salt. First you are salt. Then you are light. The metaphors of salt and light drive home the great benefit of these stinging words and the profit of this rigorous discipline, how it binds and does not permit us to become dissolute in our behavior. The person characterized by humility, gentleness, mercy and righteousness does not build a fence around good deeds. Rather, that one ensures that these good fountains overflow for the benefit of others. One who is pure in heart and a peacemaker, even when persecuted for the sake of truth, orders his way of life for the common good." -Chrysostom

More Historical Commentary (View and Download)

Music for Listening

Choral Settings of the Nunc Dimittis (Song of Simeon) - A Youtube playlist

Oratorio of Prayers: Supplication - Grace Seattle Experimental Orchestra

The Office of Compline for January 22, 2017 - The Compline Choir (Seattle, WA)

Thematic Art

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