The Week of the Epiphany of Our Lord, January 6-13; Preparing for next Sunday

There's not a thing on my Lutheran liturgical calendar for the next few days. Today, however, my Roman Catholic friends are remembering Raymond of Penyfort and on Thursday my Muslim neighbors celebrate the Islamic New Year on Thursday, January 10. Also on that day my brother Art will blow out some birthday candles, and on January 10, many, but certainly not all Christians, will make a nod toward William Laud, the Archbishop of Canterbury (d. 1645), about whom I'll a good bit more to say in a day or so. But for now, with so few commemorations for the week, I can start to focus on next Sunday, January 13, celebrated as the Baptism of Our Lord.

If you don't already know it, I'm a big fan of Daniel B. Clendinen"s Journey with Jesus, a weekly Monday publication (you can find the link in the right frame) that offers often provocative insights into the lectionary readings for the coming Sunday. His site also offers good book and film reviews, along with a monthly music review. I seldom, if ever, let a week go by without visiting Journey with Jesus; in fact, on Monday mornings I download Clendinen's podcast so that I can listen to it during a quiet insomniac resting in bed. His commentary this week on the Epiphany season explores what the baptism of Jesus tells us about Jesus and His union with you, me, and all people, and I urge you to read it. You may not always agree with Cleninen, but you will always want to ponder, like Zen koans, the questions he asks after each lectionary commentary. Here are two for further reflection:

1. Why do you think Jesus submitted himself to John's baptism?
2. What do you make of John Howard Yoder on John the Baptist: "To repent is not to feel bad but to think differently"?

If you wish to explore more about this coming Sunday's lectionary readings, you might like to visit Textweek, maintained by Jenee Woodard, whose work is featured in this week's print edition of Christian Century. When, in a week or so, the online edition becomes available, I'll send you to the article.

Baptized many years ago into the death and resurrection of Jesus, --Andy

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